8 answers
Alya
Student
Rancho Cordova, California
1
Question
Updated
2264 views
What types of careers/majors should I be getting invested in if I don't want to attend med school?
I want to have a career in the health field, but I don't want to attend med school to be a doctor. I am interested in careers in the pre med field, but what is the difference between the pre med and health fields?
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8 answers
babitha asha
Internal medicine physician
15
Answers
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Updated
babitha’s Answer
Hi Ayla
If you’re looking for a medical career path that’s less intensive and shorter, you might consider becoming a Physician Assistant (PA).
Many colleges now offer combined Bachelor’s + PA programs that can be completed in about 5–6 years. For example:
• Some schools offer 4 years of Bachelor’s study + 2 years of PA training,
• While others offer accelerated tracks with 3 years of Bachelor’s + 2 years of PA.
Alternatively, you can complete your Bachelor’s degree and apply to a PA program separately. Before applying to the PA program, become a CNA/ MA to get clinical experience.
You can start practicing after completing the program and passing the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). PAs work closely with physicians or independently and can specialize in various fields, including surgery, internal medicine, and emergency medicine. They earn competitive salaries while gaining valuable hands-on clinical experience.
If you’re looking for a medical career path that’s less intensive and shorter, you might consider becoming a Physician Assistant (PA).
Many colleges now offer combined Bachelor’s + PA programs that can be completed in about 5–6 years. For example:
• Some schools offer 4 years of Bachelor’s study + 2 years of PA training,
• While others offer accelerated tracks with 3 years of Bachelor’s + 2 years of PA.
Alternatively, you can complete your Bachelor’s degree and apply to a PA program separately. Before applying to the PA program, become a CNA/ MA to get clinical experience.
You can start practicing after completing the program and passing the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). PAs work closely with physicians or independently and can specialize in various fields, including surgery, internal medicine, and emergency medicine. They earn competitive salaries while gaining valuable hands-on clinical experience.
Madison Buchman
doctor
160
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
So many other great options! When in undergrad and thinking about what major you want to be, you certainly don't have to choose "pre med" (biology/chemistry/physiology etc). You could choose to do engineering and help with building healthcare technology or work for or even start a start up. you could get a business degree and/or MBA of finance degree and work with healthcare/medical fields, you could do business administration and work in hospital leadership. You could become a social worker and work either at a clinic or hospital. you could be a child life specialist at a childrens hospital. you could be a physical or occupational therapist, maybe a dentist or dental hygenist, maybe a chiropractor. you could do pharmacy or pharmacy tech. you could work for a pharmaceutical company/drug company. you could do healthcare related research. Public health policy/research/advocacy. There are so many NON clinical/medical roles within healthcare that still can be so rewarding, different course work, different years/hours/cost of studying.
Hope this helps!
Madison
Hope this helps!
Madison
Hwal Lee
DMSc, PA-C
275
Answers
Albany, New York
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Alya,
It looks like you've thought about working in health care and medicine. As an early-career PA practicing medicine I usually am tempted to distinguish between health care and medicine, let me share that medicine is and can be an incredibly enjoyable, stimulating, and rewarding career choice. In case you haven't considered a PA career, take a look at these stories of Certified PAs about the many different opportunities available:
https://www.pasdothat.net/
And take a look at what it takes to become a PA:
https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2018/08/6-steps-become-pa/
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with.
Good luck!
Hwal
It looks like you've thought about working in health care and medicine. As an early-career PA practicing medicine I usually am tempted to distinguish between health care and medicine, let me share that medicine is and can be an incredibly enjoyable, stimulating, and rewarding career choice. In case you haven't considered a PA career, take a look at these stories of Certified PAs about the many different opportunities available:
https://www.pasdothat.net/
And take a look at what it takes to become a PA:
https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2018/08/6-steps-become-pa/
Let me know if you have any specific questions I can help with.
Good luck!
Hwal
Thank you so much, Hwal!
Alya
Diane Karn
Procurement and Sales Support
8
Answers
Columbus, Ohio
Updated
Diane’s Answer
I was all set to answer this to the best of my ability but frankly, James Constantine's answer from above is so complete I can only say BRAVO! and advise you to look through his comprehensive list!
I appreciate your support, Diane
Alya
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Alya!
Medicine = 1
n = all professions
Now show me n-1
If you don't want to attend med school, consider the following career paths and majors:-
● Nursing: A growing demand for nurses, with job security expected in the coming years.
● Engineering: High demand for engineers due to retirement and attrition, with various specializations available.
● Teaching: Collaboration With Youth As A Gift.
● Culinary Arts: Skills in cooking and baking are in demand, with opportunities in restaurants and food service.
● Computer Science: In-demand field with various career paths in technology and data analysis.
● Business and Finance: Consider roles in finance, marketing, or administration, which are always in demand.
These fields offer a range of opportunities and can provide good job prospects without the commitment of med school.
Pre-Medicine is an undergraduate degree, a preliminary qualification to gain admission to a medical doctorate! There exist 84 medical subspecialties.
1. Family Medicine
2. Internal Medicine
3. Pediatrics
4. OB/GYN
5. Surgery
6. Neurology
7. Psychiatry
That covers the core rotations you’ll encounter in medical school. You can learn more about each of them in our Clerkships Guide.
8. Plastic Surgery
9. Otolaryngology
10. Urology
11. Anesthesiology
12. Radiology
13. Pathology
14. Emergency Medicine
15. Critical Care
16. Preventive Medicine
17. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
18. Orthopedics
19. Ophthalmology
20. Dermatology
The following 10 specialties are all technically subspecialties of internal medicine. We’re releasing a video completely dedicated to internal medicine subspecialization options later this year.
21. Cardiology
22. Gastroenterology
23. Pulmonology
24. Hematology
25. Oncology
26. Rheumatology
27. Endocrinology
28. Nephrology
29. Infectious Diseases
30. Allergy/Immunology
We’re almost there. Lastly, we’ll cover a few more subspecializations and other doctor paths.
31. Trauma Surgery
32. Cardiothoracic Surgery
33. Vascular Surgery
34. Gender Surgery
35. Interventional Cardiology
36. Reproductive Endocrinology
37. Neonatology
38. Pediatric Intensivist
39. Podiatry
40. Sports Medicine Doctor
41. Military Doctor
42. Global Health Doctor
43. Neurosurgery
44. Orthopedic surgery
45. Thoracic Surgery
46. Colorectal Surgery
47. Endocrine Surgery
48. Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery
49. Transplant Surgeon
50. Female Urologist
51. Pediatric Surgery
52. Fetal Surgery
53. Surgical Oncology
54. Breast Oncology
55. Hair Transplant Surgeon
Plastic Surgery has its own set of subspecialty fellowship options.
56. Microsurgery
57. Hand Surgery
58. Craniofacial Surgery
59. Aesthetic Surgery
60. Breast Reconstruction
We’re through surgery and on to pathology.
61. Forensic Pathology
62. Genetic Pathology
63. Molecular Pathology
64. Neuropathology
Radiology is most commonly broken down into diagnostic or interventional radiology.
65. Diagnostic Radiology
66. Interventional Radiology
67. Nuclear Radiology
Next, let’s look at the subspecialties of psychiatry.
68. Child Psychiatry
69. Geriatric Psychiatry
70. Forensic Psychiatry
71. Addiction Psychiatry
72. Military Psychiatry
Lastly, here are some miscellaneous medical career paths that have not been covered yet.
73. Critical Care Medicine
74. Hospice and Palliative Medicine
75. Geriatric Medicine
76. Medical Toxicology
77. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
78. Radiation Oncology
79. Cancer Immunology
80. Longevity Medicine
81. Preventive Medicine
82. Medical Scientist
83. Sleep Medicine
84. Aerospace Medicine
Additionally, most specialties have a child version; for example, child oncology or pediatric neurosurgery. We chose not to cover each of these to avoid redundancies.
47 Allied health professions:-
■ Anesthesia technician ■ Anesthesiologist assistant ■ Art therapist ■ Athletic trainer■ Audiologist ■ Autotransfusionist ■ Cardiovascular technologist ■ Clinical psychologist ■ Clinical social worker ■ Communicative disorders assistant ■ Dental assistant ■ Dental therapist ■ Denturist / clinical dental technician ■ Dietitian / nutritionist ■ Environmental health officer / public health inspector ■ Exercise physiologist ■ Healthcare technician ■ Lactation consultant ■ Massage therapist ■ Medical assistant ■ Medical interpreter ■ Medical laboratory professional ■ Medical physicist ■ Medical radiation scientist ■ Mental health counselor / psychotherapist ■ Midwife ■ Music therapist ■ Occupational therapist ■ Operating department practitioner ■ Orthoptist ■ Orthotist / prosthetist ■ Paramedic ■ Pathologists' Assistant ■ Pedorthist ■ Perfusionist ■ Pharmacy technician ■ Phlebotomist ■ Physiotherapist / physical therapist ■ Radiographer / radiology technologist / mammographer / angiographer ■ Radiotherapist / radiation therapist / medical dosimetrist ■ Recreational therapist ■ Rehabilitation counselor ■ Renal dialysis technologist ■ Respiratory therapist ■ Sonographer ■ Speech and language pathologist ■ Surgical technologist.
GOD BLESS!
Medicine = 1
n = all professions
Now show me n-1
If you don't want to attend med school, consider the following career paths and majors:-
● Nursing: A growing demand for nurses, with job security expected in the coming years.
● Engineering: High demand for engineers due to retirement and attrition, with various specializations available.
● Teaching: Collaboration With Youth As A Gift.
● Culinary Arts: Skills in cooking and baking are in demand, with opportunities in restaurants and food service.
● Computer Science: In-demand field with various career paths in technology and data analysis.
● Business and Finance: Consider roles in finance, marketing, or administration, which are always in demand.
These fields offer a range of opportunities and can provide good job prospects without the commitment of med school.
Pre-Medicine is an undergraduate degree, a preliminary qualification to gain admission to a medical doctorate! There exist 84 medical subspecialties.
1. Family Medicine
2. Internal Medicine
3. Pediatrics
4. OB/GYN
5. Surgery
6. Neurology
7. Psychiatry
That covers the core rotations you’ll encounter in medical school. You can learn more about each of them in our Clerkships Guide.
8. Plastic Surgery
9. Otolaryngology
10. Urology
11. Anesthesiology
12. Radiology
13. Pathology
14. Emergency Medicine
15. Critical Care
16. Preventive Medicine
17. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
18. Orthopedics
19. Ophthalmology
20. Dermatology
The following 10 specialties are all technically subspecialties of internal medicine. We’re releasing a video completely dedicated to internal medicine subspecialization options later this year.
21. Cardiology
22. Gastroenterology
23. Pulmonology
24. Hematology
25. Oncology
26. Rheumatology
27. Endocrinology
28. Nephrology
29. Infectious Diseases
30. Allergy/Immunology
We’re almost there. Lastly, we’ll cover a few more subspecializations and other doctor paths.
31. Trauma Surgery
32. Cardiothoracic Surgery
33. Vascular Surgery
34. Gender Surgery
35. Interventional Cardiology
36. Reproductive Endocrinology
37. Neonatology
38. Pediatric Intensivist
39. Podiatry
40. Sports Medicine Doctor
41. Military Doctor
42. Global Health Doctor
43. Neurosurgery
44. Orthopedic surgery
45. Thoracic Surgery
46. Colorectal Surgery
47. Endocrine Surgery
48. Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery
49. Transplant Surgeon
50. Female Urologist
51. Pediatric Surgery
52. Fetal Surgery
53. Surgical Oncology
54. Breast Oncology
55. Hair Transplant Surgeon
Plastic Surgery has its own set of subspecialty fellowship options.
56. Microsurgery
57. Hand Surgery
58. Craniofacial Surgery
59. Aesthetic Surgery
60. Breast Reconstruction
We’re through surgery and on to pathology.
61. Forensic Pathology
62. Genetic Pathology
63. Molecular Pathology
64. Neuropathology
Radiology is most commonly broken down into diagnostic or interventional radiology.
65. Diagnostic Radiology
66. Interventional Radiology
67. Nuclear Radiology
Next, let’s look at the subspecialties of psychiatry.
68. Child Psychiatry
69. Geriatric Psychiatry
70. Forensic Psychiatry
71. Addiction Psychiatry
72. Military Psychiatry
Lastly, here are some miscellaneous medical career paths that have not been covered yet.
73. Critical Care Medicine
74. Hospice and Palliative Medicine
75. Geriatric Medicine
76. Medical Toxicology
77. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
78. Radiation Oncology
79. Cancer Immunology
80. Longevity Medicine
81. Preventive Medicine
82. Medical Scientist
83. Sleep Medicine
84. Aerospace Medicine
Additionally, most specialties have a child version; for example, child oncology or pediatric neurosurgery. We chose not to cover each of these to avoid redundancies.
47 Allied health professions:-
■ Anesthesia technician ■ Anesthesiologist assistant ■ Art therapist ■ Athletic trainer■ Audiologist ■ Autotransfusionist ■ Cardiovascular technologist ■ Clinical psychologist ■ Clinical social worker ■ Communicative disorders assistant ■ Dental assistant ■ Dental therapist ■ Denturist / clinical dental technician ■ Dietitian / nutritionist ■ Environmental health officer / public health inspector ■ Exercise physiologist ■ Healthcare technician ■ Lactation consultant ■ Massage therapist ■ Medical assistant ■ Medical interpreter ■ Medical laboratory professional ■ Medical physicist ■ Medical radiation scientist ■ Mental health counselor / psychotherapist ■ Midwife ■ Music therapist ■ Occupational therapist ■ Operating department practitioner ■ Orthoptist ■ Orthotist / prosthetist ■ Paramedic ■ Pathologists' Assistant ■ Pedorthist ■ Perfusionist ■ Pharmacy technician ■ Phlebotomist ■ Physiotherapist / physical therapist ■ Radiographer / radiology technologist / mammographer / angiographer ■ Radiotherapist / radiation therapist / medical dosimetrist ■ Recreational therapist ■ Rehabilitation counselor ■ Renal dialysis technologist ■ Respiratory therapist ■ Sonographer ■ Speech and language pathologist ■ Surgical technologist.
GOD BLESS!
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Alya !
The difference between "pre-med" and "health fields" (also known as Allied Health Professions) is that pre-med is a course of study, not a major, rather a series of courses in the life sciences that prepares a student for a further career in the health field. It would be like majoring in biology before going to Medical School. The term "health field" is the type of work one can choose.
In a pre-med college path, one can major in such things as Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and take other human science courses. The term Health Field is a broad term which contains many, many types of careers in which one deals with patients. There are way too many to name here, but the careers that fall under this category are all therapeutic and deal with working directly on people's bodies.
Since you are in Rancho Cordova, you can consider exploring California State University, Sacramento or University of California at Davis. Go to their websites and read about their health field programs. Sac State's College of Health and Human Services offers both in person and online advising. They offer a Bachelors Degree in Health Science.
Sac State also offers programs in Physical Therapy and Speech Pathology and Audiology. They also have a program for Public Health offering concentrations in Community Health Education, Health Services Administration, Occupational Health and Safety.
In addition, they offer Kinesiology (with concentrations in Athletic Administration, Athletic Care, Athletic Coaching Education, Physical Activity and Wellness, and Physical Education/Teacher Education).
If you know which career you want, you can Major in Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant School, Sonography, Radiation Therapy, Emergency Response, or Health Education there. Go to their website and read about these individual programs. There are very many careers in the health field.
Now, UC Davis has a Medical School, but, take a deep breath, they also offer programs to major in for Anesthesiology Assistant, Athletic Training, Audiology, Child Life Specialist, Chiropractic Medicine, Clinical Lab Sciences, Dietetics, Genetic Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Perfusionist, Pharmacy Technician, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Public Health, Speech Language Pathology, and Veterinary Medicine.
It's all going to depend on exactly what career you want specifically. Take some time to explore where you believe your niche can be and then decide which college has the best program for it, even outside of local Sac State and Davis. The important thing is to know which career you want so that you get the correct Degree, so that you can obtain employment in your chosen field. No one can choose your major for you. That is something you'd have to decide, aligning your Major with your career choice.
It may help to go for orientations and advising at both campuses to help you narrow it down to the specific career you may want.
I hope this helps. Take your time exploring individual careers and I wish you all the best !
The difference between "pre-med" and "health fields" (also known as Allied Health Professions) is that pre-med is a course of study, not a major, rather a series of courses in the life sciences that prepares a student for a further career in the health field. It would be like majoring in biology before going to Medical School. The term "health field" is the type of work one can choose.
In a pre-med college path, one can major in such things as Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and take other human science courses. The term Health Field is a broad term which contains many, many types of careers in which one deals with patients. There are way too many to name here, but the careers that fall under this category are all therapeutic and deal with working directly on people's bodies.
Since you are in Rancho Cordova, you can consider exploring California State University, Sacramento or University of California at Davis. Go to their websites and read about their health field programs. Sac State's College of Health and Human Services offers both in person and online advising. They offer a Bachelors Degree in Health Science.
Sac State also offers programs in Physical Therapy and Speech Pathology and Audiology. They also have a program for Public Health offering concentrations in Community Health Education, Health Services Administration, Occupational Health and Safety.
In addition, they offer Kinesiology (with concentrations in Athletic Administration, Athletic Care, Athletic Coaching Education, Physical Activity and Wellness, and Physical Education/Teacher Education).
If you know which career you want, you can Major in Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant School, Sonography, Radiation Therapy, Emergency Response, or Health Education there. Go to their website and read about these individual programs. There are very many careers in the health field.
Now, UC Davis has a Medical School, but, take a deep breath, they also offer programs to major in for Anesthesiology Assistant, Athletic Training, Audiology, Child Life Specialist, Chiropractic Medicine, Clinical Lab Sciences, Dietetics, Genetic Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Perfusionist, Pharmacy Technician, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Public Health, Speech Language Pathology, and Veterinary Medicine.
It's all going to depend on exactly what career you want specifically. Take some time to explore where you believe your niche can be and then decide which college has the best program for it, even outside of local Sac State and Davis. The important thing is to know which career you want so that you get the correct Degree, so that you can obtain employment in your chosen field. No one can choose your major for you. That is something you'd have to decide, aligning your Major with your career choice.
It may help to go for orientations and advising at both campuses to help you narrow it down to the specific career you may want.
I hope this helps. Take your time exploring individual careers and I wish you all the best !
Don Holland
Member Service Representative/Food Runner
244
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello Alya,
There are many different jobs and opportunities that don't include being a doctor or going to medical school. It really just depends on what exactly you want to do and best fits what you want to do. Here are some suggestions to consider.
List:
Nursing
Pharmacist
Physician Assistant
Medical Assistant
Dentist
Many different options based on what type of job you want...
Also, there are many differences between pre-med and health fields. Pre-med is more narrow, sets you up to be a physician, less flexible for time and requires specific degrees while Health fields are more broad, you can be more than just a physician, more flexible in terms of careers, less prerequisites depending on what job it is. Best of luck to you when it comes to your career!
There are many different jobs and opportunities that don't include being a doctor or going to medical school. It really just depends on what exactly you want to do and best fits what you want to do. Here are some suggestions to consider.
List:
Nursing
Pharmacist
Physician Assistant
Medical Assistant
Dentist
Many different options based on what type of job you want...
Also, there are many differences between pre-med and health fields. Pre-med is more narrow, sets you up to be a physician, less flexible for time and requires specific degrees while Health fields are more broad, you can be more than just a physician, more flexible in terms of careers, less prerequisites depending on what job it is. Best of luck to you when it comes to your career!
Morgan Adams
Healthcare Administration
27
Answers
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
Hi Alya,
As someone who started in the clinical side of healthcare and moved to administrative, I would obtain your CNA's first. By obtaining your CNA's and working directly with patients, this will help you determine if it is the right path for you. Depending on the state you live in, you might could work as a PCT at a nursing home, without having to get your CNA certificate. If possible, find a CNA job at a local hospital. You will be able to interact with multiple people and find out what area of healthcare you enjoy.
As someone who started in the clinical side of healthcare and moved to administrative, I would obtain your CNA's first. By obtaining your CNA's and working directly with patients, this will help you determine if it is the right path for you. Depending on the state you live in, you might could work as a PCT at a nursing home, without having to get your CNA certificate. If possible, find a CNA job at a local hospital. You will be able to interact with multiple people and find out what area of healthcare you enjoy.