1. Introduction to S.T.E.M. Careers: Medicine and Health Sciences
What education do you have?
Did you always know what you wanted to do?
How did you choose your career?
What do you like best/worst about your career?
Yvonne Eaglehouse, PhD, MPH

2. What do you think of when you hear “medical careers”?

3. Health Sciences Public Health Education Physical Sciences
(e.g. biology, chemistry)
Business & Management
Medicine

4. Careers in the Health Sciences
Physical/Occupational Therapist*
Nurse/Nurse Practitioner*
Emergency Medicine Technician*
Physician Assistant*
Physician/Surgeon*
Psychologist/Psychiatrist*
Phlebotomist*
Dentist/Hygienist*
Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor*
Massage Therapist*
Exercise Physiologist*
Rehabilitation Specialist*
Yoga Therapist*
Dietitian*
Physical Educator*
Genetic Counselor*
Careers with direct patient interaction
*May require additional certification or licensure after obtaining training or degree

5. Careers in the Health Sciences
Medical Laboratory Technician*
Bench Scientist (e.g. microbiologist)
Registrar*
Healthcare System Administrator
Health Policy Writer (e.g. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans)
Facilities/Team Manager
Occupational or Environmental Medicine Specialist
Health Promotion Specialist
Public Health Officer (Government/Military)
Medical Biller and Coder*
Statistician/Analyst
Epidemiologist
Researcher (Academic/Government)
“Behind the scenes” careers
*May require additional certification or licensure after obtaining training or degree

6. Training for Careers in Health Sciences
Associate’s Degree/Vocational Training
Massage therapy, personal training/fitness instruction, physical therapy assistant, nurse, medical assistant, emergency medicine technician
Bachelor’s Degree
Health promotion, Public Health Officer, exercise physiologist/rehabilitation, facilities/team management, dietitian, educators, athletic training, physician assistant
Master’s or Doctorate Degree
Physician/surgeon, physical/occupational therapist, psychologist, advanced practice of any of the above career fields

7. College/University Majors that Support Careers in Health Sciences
Biology
Kinesiology
Exercise Science
Athletic Training
Business/Sports Management
Health Care Administration
Psychology/Sports Psychology
Education
Public Health
Nutrition/Dietetics
Physics/Biomechanics/Engineering
Information Technology
Mathematics/Statistics
Chemistry
Nursing
Medicine

8. Steps to Prepare for Careers in Health Sciences
Take natural sciences classes in high school (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology)…
…but don’t forget about math, languages, writing, and social sciences!
Shadow health professionals in area of interest
Complete internships during high school and college/university
Explore introductory classes at community college
Volunteer
Ask questions!
Take a CPR and first aid class…. Find out if you like emergency medicine, can handle blood/needles, etc.

9. Pursing a Career in Health Sciences Requires…
Patience
Compassion
Organization
Communication (written and spoken)
Passion and interest
Commitment
Desire to help others
Reasoning
Judgement
Independence
Teamwork
Honesty
Integrity

10. The Rewards of Health Science Careers
Salary
A person could earn anywhere from $20,000 to $200,000+ per year in a health science career
Salary depends on skills, training, services provided, and years of experience
E.g. In NC, the average yearly salaries for medical careers are:
~$29,000 for certified medical assistant
~$56,000 for registered nurse
~$75,000 for healthcare systems administrator
~$175,000 for family physician
Helping Others!

11. Snapshot of Health Careers in North Carolina
Colleges and Universities with Advanced Health Science Programs
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Duke University
North Carolina State University-Raleigh
Wake Forest University
Employers in North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Healthcare systems (e.g. UNC Health Care, WakeMed, Duke, Norvant)
Research/Medical Universities (see list above)
Private medical practices, ambulance services, other businesses
Many science majors (biology, chemistry, physics) and business programs are offered at public and private universities throughout the state. Ask your guidance counselor or teachers for help identifying schools that offer the undergraduate programs you are interested in!

12. Questions?

13. My Personal Journey High School
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP Chemistry
Knew I wanted to do cancer research, but didn’t know from what angle
University (undergraduate)
Biology major, Chemistry minor
Contemplated nutrition and dietetics and medicine
Post-university
Enrolled in medical technology program
Withdrew before start due to change in interest/direction

14. My Personal Journey Post-university
Interest in exercise, health, and wellness
Pursued opportunities in personal training and fitness
Graduate School
Master’s program in exercise science
Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Master’s/Doctoral program in epidemiology and public health
Diabetes prevention through lifestyle change (diet, physical activity, weight management)
Behavioral change theories

15. My Personal Journey Post-graduate Postdoctoral Scholar
Researched association between physical activity and colorectal cancer risk
Directed pilot study of lifestyle change program for breast cancer survivors
Health Services Researcher
Design and conduct studies looking at health services indicators (e.g. insurance coverage, care source, time to treatment) and cancer outcomes
Look at how metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes) affect health services, cancer treatment, and clinical outcomes
Determine which patients may benefit most from lifestyle change following cancer diagnosis

16. Thank you!