Whether you have decided on a career path, are curious or undecided about an ideal healthcare profession, learning how different roles collaborate to support patients’ health is crucial to helping you make well-informed decisions about your preparation.
Healthcare is a team sport. Familiarity with different roles helps students find clarity about long-term goals. Much like we approach beating those Tar Heels on the basketball court by anticipating what each player does in their respective position, knowing what other healthcare professionals do will give you an edge in the admissions game. To succeed in today’s competitive job market, it is not enough to just do things. Students need to be able to articulate, in writing and conversation, their strengths, professional story, impact and contribution they will bring to their professions and communities. Neglecting the exploration part of professional development limits the breadth and depth of knowledge that makes strong applications, often leaving students with a sense of being behind.
As a pre-health student, it's crucial to develop a comprehensive understanding of the field you're entering. The Duke HPA team is excited to embark on this journey with you. We encourage you to take charge of your professional growth by using the resources and tools available to you. Follow the advising page to connect with your assigned advisor for continued guidance and support. Here are some key strategies to help you navigate this path effectively:
1. Understand what your chosen profession is and what it is not.
Learning about the characteristics and requirements of various healthcare professions will help you better understand what your chosen profession is and what it is not. Some popular careers Duke students tend to gravitate to include: dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, optometry, podiatry, occupational therapy, veterinary, physician assistant, allopathic medicine (MD), and osteopathic medicine (DO). For professional development growth exercise, pick 2-3 of these to compare to your chosen profession.
2. Understand the day-to-day realities of your chosen profession
Learning about the demands and rewards of your chosen profession increases your confidence in your chosen path. It also helps you better articulate to others your commitment to that profession. Undergraduate students can engage with their chosen professions by internet searching for “a day in the life of a….”, engaging in informational interviews with various practicing healthcare professionals, shadowing, volunteering, and engaging with patients.
3. Use a small sample of programs to understand requirements and expectations for admissions
Regardless of the career path you choose, you will likely have many training programs to choose from. Each program has unique requirements, values, and strengths. Learning about all of them at once is unrealistic. Start by developing in-depth knowledge about one or two programs first. The HPA team recommends starting with your state schools. If you are an international student or hold residency in a state without a professional training program for your chosen profession, identify 2–3 schools you are most curious about, or use the state of NC for reference. State of residency will be an important factor later on. Just pin this knowledge for now. Once you identify the programs that align well, take note of what you find appealing about them. This knowledge will give you a strong foundation to build a portfolio that targets reliable match programs. Knowing what schools want in advance will help you make more efficient decisions about courses and extracurricular engagement.
4. Build connections with faculty and peers
Faculty and peers are important in your career explorations because they can offer insights into experiences you might be considering. They can also vouch for your character and skills as you pursue opportunities in research, volunteering, and applications for jobs or admissions. The pre-health journey is long and rigorous. Don’t underestimate the importance of building a supportive community around you. Foster these connections early on so they will be there when you need them. Build your connections by attending office hours, inviting faculty members to FLUNCHES, joining student clubs, and participating in study groups. Rule #1 of being part of a community is simply to show up!
5. Leverage LinkedIn to expand your professional network
LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for networking and professional development. You can start by creating a basic account to connect with faculty members, peers, friends and family members in a professional setting. This is also a good place to follow programs of interest, which help you develop a shared language in the long run. The Duke Career Hub has some great tips to help you create a stellar LinkedIn profile. As your network grows, you can tap into it to identify potential professionals you can shadow or organizations for volunteering and patient engagement. Building a professional network takes time. Starting early helps.