By The world of health and science allows for so many amazing opportunities to impact the lives of others. As college students, many of our biggest stresses come from the thought of “what is next?” and “Am I on the right path?”
The good news is that pursuing a degree such as Health Science opens the doors to a world of options as far as career paths go. From interest in the medical field, teaching, to research, the list is endless.
Unfortunately, many students are unaware of the options available to them.
Here are some Health Science job opportunities to help you get started.
As a health sciences graduate, there are many different environments for launching a career including hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, pharmaceutical companies, and medical laboratories.
Below are five of the more unorthodox job ideas for graduating health science degree students.
- Pharmacy Sales Representative
The role of a pharmaceutical sales representative is an exciting experience with great pay. You can expect your average salary to be anywhere from $75,000 – $98,000. Pharm reps educate medical practitioners about new and existing drug therapies. They do not “sell” a drug so much as alert a doctor to its existence and benefits, so they’re better informed about possible treatments for their patients. Thanks to the specialized nature of their work, pharmaceutical sales reps often need to have some scientific knowledge to discuss their products1.
- Biomedical Equipment Technologist
As a biomedical equipment technologist (BMET) you fill many roles. This is a fun and exciting job that we don’t hear enough about. As a BMET in Montana, you can expect to make around $65,000 on average and work your way up. Your duties will include installing, maintaining, and repairing medical equipment. They must test and calibrate parts, identifying parts for repair or replacement. These technicians also perform preventative maintenance on critical equipment to ensure high-quality treatment for patients.2
- Health Science Writer
Another rare health science job that students are typically unaware of is being a health science writer. It is common to think that just because you have a health science degree, that means you need to be elbow deep in surgical equipment and medicine. Luckily there is a job for everyone in the health science world. As a health science writer, you are a journalist who tends to focus on health-related topics. They might work as a freelance writer and contribute to multiple outlets or as a staff writer at one exclusive outlet. Many health science writers have a robust knowledge of health and some lab experience.
- Dietitian
Becoming a dietitian is another job opportunity in the health and sciences world that does not require as much medical training as the rest. The average salary of a dietitian is around $60,000 – $70,000. If you are someone that prefers problem-solving and creative projects then this might be the job for you. A dietitian works hands-on with individuals to create a tailored plan to their needs. They may take on a counseling focus, meeting with individual patients or groups to educate, plan menus and meals, and discuss behavioral motivations. Or they may work in nutrition research, studying and testing new food products. Dietician roles typically require licensure on top of a bachelor’s degree, though you may find that companies require an advanced graduate degree for many roles.
- Behavior Analyst
This is another uncommon health science degree job opportunity that we don’t hear much about. Behavior analysts evaluate patients’ behaviors to develop treatment plans with the goal of improving communication and behavioral skills over time.4 Behavior analysts can expect to make anywhere from $60,000 – $80,000. This career will be very fulfilling for someone who prefers to help people in many different areas of their life.
