8 answers
Mia
Student
Victorville, California
1
Question
Updated
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What college majors will allow me to keep my options open towards jobs in healthcare?
I am currently a senior in high school; I am completely set that I want to have a job in healthcare in the future. I have been interested in dentistry for a while, specifically dental hygiene, though I also want to make more options available for myself in the field because my mind can always change in the long run and end up not wanting to go to the dental route. Which majors or programs would allow me to explore different paths before I really commit to one? What colleges would you recommend in Southern California? I also want to ask if I could be able to do the cc transferring to university route in my situation as well?
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8 answers
Andrey Perdue
Dental Hygienist
22
Answers
Destin, Florida
Updated
Andrey’s Answer
Hey Mia!
Dental Hygienist of 10 years here. If you interested in becoming a dental hygienist all you need is pre requisites, shadow arrows and put in application. Generally speaking you do not need any specific degree prior to apply to a Dental Hygiene program. My school required basic classes such as math, English and science.
I remember my school favor prior dental experience and/or dental assistant certification. So if you went through schools dental assistant program you were given first priority.
I would look up Dental Hygiene degrees (Associate of Science, Dental Hygiene) for specific school requirement.
I can tell you, I love what I do and will continue doing this for as long as I can.
However, consider that dentistry is really hard on your back so make sure to consider that when choosing this career.
Dental Hygienist of 10 years here. If you interested in becoming a dental hygienist all you need is pre requisites, shadow arrows and put in application. Generally speaking you do not need any specific degree prior to apply to a Dental Hygiene program. My school required basic classes such as math, English and science.
I remember my school favor prior dental experience and/or dental assistant certification. So if you went through schools dental assistant program you were given first priority.
I would look up Dental Hygiene degrees (Associate of Science, Dental Hygiene) for specific school requirement.
I can tell you, I love what I do and will continue doing this for as long as I can.
However, consider that dentistry is really hard on your back so make sure to consider that when choosing this career.
Kaitlyn Corey
Occupational Therapy Assistant/Occupational Therapy Student
60
Answers
Graniteville, South Carolina
Updated
Kaitlyn’s Answer
If you know you want healthcare but aren’t sure which path, majors like biology, health sciences, public health, and even psychology are all great choices because they keep doors open. They cover the prerequisites you’d need for dental hygiene, nursing, PA, OT, PT, or even medical school if you decide to aim that way later. Some students also go with kinesiology if they’re more interested in movement and rehab fields. The community college transfer route is a smart option and many students take it. You’ll save money, knock out your general education, and then transfer into a university program once you’ve decided on your direction.
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
480
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Mia - good question, and Michelle has given you much to consider.
If I understand correctly, you definitely want to go into healthcare, but are not sure in which capacity. In that case, a degree in some form of science, such as biology or biochemistry, should give you the flexibility you want. While in college, you could investigate your choices at the career center, in a pre-med club, through summer jobs and maybe internships, and possibly talking with alumni.
I put a link below to the requirements for becoming a dental hygienist in California. That is a 2-year commitment. You may want to take at least a few of those courses in community college so you would not have to take a full 2-years after college.
Good luck!
Dental Hygienist in California - https://www.dhbc.ca.gov/applicants/becomelicensed_rdh_wreb.shtml
If I understand correctly, you definitely want to go into healthcare, but are not sure in which capacity. In that case, a degree in some form of science, such as biology or biochemistry, should give you the flexibility you want. While in college, you could investigate your choices at the career center, in a pre-med club, through summer jobs and maybe internships, and possibly talking with alumni.
I put a link below to the requirements for becoming a dental hygienist in California. That is a 2-year commitment. You may want to take at least a few of those courses in community college so you would not have to take a full 2-years after college.
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Karthick Natarajan
Postdoctoral Researcher at NYU Langone Health
32
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Karthick’s Answer
1. Best Majors for Flexibility in Healthcare
Pick a major that includes the science courses needed for most graduate programs like dental, medical, or pharmacy schools.
Top Picks: Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Neuroscience.
Wider Options: Public Health, Health Sciences, Kinesiology.
Important Tip: Your major is less important than getting good grades in required courses.
2. College Recommendations in Southern California
UCs (Research-focused): UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Irvine.
CSUs (Affordable and practical): Cal Poly SLO, San Diego State, Cal State Long Beach.
Private Schools (Smaller classes): University of Southern California, Loyola Marymount University.
3. Community College Transfer Route
Yes, it's a smart and successful option in California.
Benefits: Saves money and offers a guaranteed transfer to many UCs and CSUs if you meet the requirements.
Success Tip: Work with a transfer counselor from the start to plan your courses, ensuring they count toward your university and major.
Pick a major that includes the science courses needed for most graduate programs like dental, medical, or pharmacy schools.
Top Picks: Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Neuroscience.
Wider Options: Public Health, Health Sciences, Kinesiology.
Important Tip: Your major is less important than getting good grades in required courses.
2. College Recommendations in Southern California
UCs (Research-focused): UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Irvine.
CSUs (Affordable and practical): Cal Poly SLO, San Diego State, Cal State Long Beach.
Private Schools (Smaller classes): University of Southern California, Loyola Marymount University.
3. Community College Transfer Route
Yes, it's a smart and successful option in California.
Benefits: Saves money and offers a guaranteed transfer to many UCs and CSUs if you meet the requirements.
Success Tip: Work with a transfer counselor from the start to plan your courses, ensuring they count toward your university and major.
Romina Nallar Madrid
7
Answers
Updated
Romina’s Answer
Dear Mia:
The first thing I must say is that I congratulate you for having well-defined professional expectations and for developing a plan to achieve them.
For any career in the healthcare field, you must have a solid understanding of basic sciences, including biology, chemistry, and physics. These are the core competencies of the first three years of study in dentistry, medicine, and any healthcare-related career in general.
Good luck and keep fighting for your goals!
The first thing I must say is that I congratulate you for having well-defined professional expectations and for developing a plan to achieve them.
For any career in the healthcare field, you must have a solid understanding of basic sciences, including biology, chemistry, and physics. These are the core competencies of the first three years of study in dentistry, medicine, and any healthcare-related career in general.
Good luck and keep fighting for your goals!
Judith Nist
Dental Hygienist
1
Answer
Westerly, Rhode Island
Updated
Judith’s Answer
Mia,
Dental hygiene is a specific major and a degree can be obtained at a 2 year CC or a 4 year University. Depending on what school you attend and whether you wish to pursue the 2 or 4 year route, depends on multiple factors.( ie time, finances, work/study to name a few. The program is heavily science based so it is highly recommended that you like to engage in these studies. The AS degree allows you to be in clinical practice after you graduate and have passed the required exams to become licensed as a registered dental hygienist( RDH). It is a stepping stone for clinical practice in the profession and the BS degree can open avenues for work in public health, teaching and the dental industry. My recommendation would be to make an appointment to visit a dental hygiene school in your area and speak to someone on faculty there. You can also contact your dental hygienist and see how she pursued her career. It can be a stepping stone to other healthcare professions as well. Some of my classmates after being in the profession for a while went on to become dentists, college professors in dental hygiene, high school guidance counselors, grammar school dental hygienists, public health dental hygienists and people working in the dental industry who service the dental profession. Another classmate went to work for the US Federal government teaching ethics and traveling throughout the US A. The sky’s the limit. The course is rigorous due to the intense academic course schedule, so be aware of that. There is also a clinical component where you , right from the get go, start working on patients your first semester in schooling. It is a very rewarding and worthwhile career where you serve people and want to help them better their lives . Everyone loves a beautiful smile.
Dental hygiene is a specific major and a degree can be obtained at a 2 year CC or a 4 year University. Depending on what school you attend and whether you wish to pursue the 2 or 4 year route, depends on multiple factors.( ie time, finances, work/study to name a few. The program is heavily science based so it is highly recommended that you like to engage in these studies. The AS degree allows you to be in clinical practice after you graduate and have passed the required exams to become licensed as a registered dental hygienist( RDH). It is a stepping stone for clinical practice in the profession and the BS degree can open avenues for work in public health, teaching and the dental industry. My recommendation would be to make an appointment to visit a dental hygiene school in your area and speak to someone on faculty there. You can also contact your dental hygienist and see how she pursued her career. It can be a stepping stone to other healthcare professions as well. Some of my classmates after being in the profession for a while went on to become dentists, college professors in dental hygiene, high school guidance counselors, grammar school dental hygienists, public health dental hygienists and people working in the dental industry who service the dental profession. Another classmate went to work for the US Federal government teaching ethics and traveling throughout the US A. The sky’s the limit. The course is rigorous due to the intense academic course schedule, so be aware of that. There is also a clinical component where you , right from the get go, start working on patients your first semester in schooling. It is a very rewarding and worthwhile career where you serve people and want to help them better their lives . Everyone loves a beautiful smile.
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Mia !
I appreciate that you haven't chosen a set career interest as yet and I'm happy that you've come here for advice to think about !
A college major will definitely have to be chosen that aligns with a chosen career. You can always think about enrolling at college as an undecided major, but if you're going to make the commitment and pay the tuition for college, you really need to study for something that you plan to do as a future career. If you get a degree in a subject that doesn't align with what career you end up choosing, it may make you less qualified to apply for jobs in that field, so take your time and be sure, even if you have to take a gap year before starting college.
As for your question about which majors or programs would allow you to explore different paths before you really commit to one, there are none. College offers Majors for people to become prepared for a future career. You can explore careers on your own outside of college. There is a degree that is not valuable that entails taking a variety of subjects, however, it is not a marketable degree and employers and positions never require it. It is called Liberal Arts. This degree will not get you a substantial employment opportunity because it doesn't align with a specific career. To explore various courses, which may or may not inspire you, you can take your General Education required courses first while being an undecided major. These would be single courses in physical science, social science, English, History, the Arts - it depends on the college. You should choose a college based on it having a strong program for what you need to major in for your career.
I have received some criticism for this advice, but when you think of it, say you picked a major out of the air just to be in college - say it's something very unrelated to the career you end up choosing. How will that help you apply for jobs in that career ? Employers want applicants to have degrees connected to the work. It's not always easy or financially feasible to return to college for a second Bachelors Degree or a Masters in a different subject. This is the way I see it so I do advise that people gear a degree to their future career.
If you go to a community college in Southern California that is nearby a California State University, you will have Automatic Transfer. Most of the colleges in that system have this arrangement with nearby community colleges, but do a search online or call to find out if the UC system is the same. Always call the University to see if they offer Automatic Transfer from a community college that you attend.
I hope this helps and you can go over this information with your high school guidance counselor to see what they say. I wish you all the best moving forward !
I appreciate that you haven't chosen a set career interest as yet and I'm happy that you've come here for advice to think about !
A college major will definitely have to be chosen that aligns with a chosen career. You can always think about enrolling at college as an undecided major, but if you're going to make the commitment and pay the tuition for college, you really need to study for something that you plan to do as a future career. If you get a degree in a subject that doesn't align with what career you end up choosing, it may make you less qualified to apply for jobs in that field, so take your time and be sure, even if you have to take a gap year before starting college.
As for your question about which majors or programs would allow you to explore different paths before you really commit to one, there are none. College offers Majors for people to become prepared for a future career. You can explore careers on your own outside of college. There is a degree that is not valuable that entails taking a variety of subjects, however, it is not a marketable degree and employers and positions never require it. It is called Liberal Arts. This degree will not get you a substantial employment opportunity because it doesn't align with a specific career. To explore various courses, which may or may not inspire you, you can take your General Education required courses first while being an undecided major. These would be single courses in physical science, social science, English, History, the Arts - it depends on the college. You should choose a college based on it having a strong program for what you need to major in for your career.
I have received some criticism for this advice, but when you think of it, say you picked a major out of the air just to be in college - say it's something very unrelated to the career you end up choosing. How will that help you apply for jobs in that career ? Employers want applicants to have degrees connected to the work. It's not always easy or financially feasible to return to college for a second Bachelors Degree or a Masters in a different subject. This is the way I see it so I do advise that people gear a degree to their future career.
If you go to a community college in Southern California that is nearby a California State University, you will have Automatic Transfer. Most of the colleges in that system have this arrangement with nearby community colleges, but do a search online or call to find out if the UC system is the same. Always call the University to see if they offer Automatic Transfer from a community college that you attend.
I hope this helps and you can go over this information with your high school guidance counselor to see what they say. I wish you all the best moving forward !
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
1058
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Mia, thank you for reaching out and asking for advice. I think it is a good thing that you’re thinking seriously about your future, even if you haven’t picked a specific career path yet. Just so that you know it is completely okay. Choosing a college major is an important step, and ideally, it should align with the kind of work you see yourself doing after graduation. Or it should be something that you have a passion for. While you can start college as an “undecided” major, keep in mind that college is a big investment of both time and money, so it’s important to make sure your studies are moving you toward a career you actually want. Also one that you believe will live a decent life. If you’re unsure, it might even be worth talking to others in your school, church, and/or community that really know you as a person. You might also consider speaking with your high school counselor, etc. to explore your interests before committing to a major.
When it comes to exploring different career paths through a college major, there aren’t many majors designed just for “exploring” anymore. those days a long gone. I believe that your college major is meant to prepare you for a specific field. I also think that some students choose to study Liberal Arts because it allows them to take a wide variety of classes, but this kind of degree usually isn’t tied to a clear career path and can make it harder to find strong job opportunities after graduation. I had my sons review the US Labor Statistics to see which jobs will be in high demand in the next 5 - 10 years and see if their interest were in any of those fields. I also think that a smart strategy is to start with general education courses. These are things like science, English, history, or social studies. These courses are required for most majors anyway, and they give you time to figure out what you’re really interested in. When choosing a college, look for schools with strong programs in fields you might want to pursue.
Employers usually look for degrees that match the position they’re hiring for or that associated with the strategic direction their company is pursuing. I myself continued to learn new things even after starting my career because of the direction I saw my company and/or other companies moving towards. I think that going back to school for another degree later, although time consuming and tend to be expensive, are not a bad move. So it’s a good idea to be intentional now and choose a major that sets you up for your future goals. I also don't think that it is a bad idea to start at a community college in Southern California, as many of them offer automatic transfer to nearby California State Universities as well as out of state Universities. You will just need to check with the school or look online to confirm. I hope this helps.
When it comes to exploring different career paths through a college major, there aren’t many majors designed just for “exploring” anymore. those days a long gone. I believe that your college major is meant to prepare you for a specific field. I also think that some students choose to study Liberal Arts because it allows them to take a wide variety of classes, but this kind of degree usually isn’t tied to a clear career path and can make it harder to find strong job opportunities after graduation. I had my sons review the US Labor Statistics to see which jobs will be in high demand in the next 5 - 10 years and see if their interest were in any of those fields. I also think that a smart strategy is to start with general education courses. These are things like science, English, history, or social studies. These courses are required for most majors anyway, and they give you time to figure out what you’re really interested in. When choosing a college, look for schools with strong programs in fields you might want to pursue.
Employers usually look for degrees that match the position they’re hiring for or that associated with the strategic direction their company is pursuing. I myself continued to learn new things even after starting my career because of the direction I saw my company and/or other companies moving towards. I think that going back to school for another degree later, although time consuming and tend to be expensive, are not a bad move. So it’s a good idea to be intentional now and choose a major that sets you up for your future goals. I also don't think that it is a bad idea to start at a community college in Southern California, as many of them offer automatic transfer to nearby California State Universities as well as out of state Universities. You will just need to check with the school or look online to confirm. I hope this helps.