8 answers
Max
Student
Orlando, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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Medical Field with a business degree?
I am expected to graduate in May of 2020 with a bachelor's in Integrated Business. I am at a loss for the business world and don't feel challenged at all. I was considering maybe switching up to a career in the medical field. I was looking into Pharmacy or maybe becoming a PA? I know this all seems like a whim decision but I am very driven. The only setbacks I have been concerned about are my age (24) and the lack of prerequisites I took in business school. My questions would be what are some of the steps anyone that was in my position took to make the change that was needed. Any advice would help me. Thank you in advance! #business #healthcare #medical #PA #pharmacy #doctor
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8 answers
Sarah Cook, MS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
10
Answers
McKinney, Texas
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
I second jeff's AND Dmitriy's advice.
Working in the medical field a little first is wise for several reasons. It'll help you narrow in on what you want to pursue, give you the clinical contact hours every graduate healthcare training program requires, and help you decide if you even want to pursue a further career in the field. (I didn't hear you say anything about having much medical experience. It's not for everyone and there are other places to challenge yourself outside a traditional business career than medicine.)
Research everything you can about the professions you're considering. Ask as many people as you can from each profession you're considering why they chose it and if there's anything they wish they'd known before applying to their training programs. I'd recommend being REALLY sure what you want to do and why before you apply or, heavens forbid, take out student loans for any program. Those programs are NOT cheap and it is WAY harder than most people think to pay that stuff off. (If you're not in an enormous rush to start a chosen program, SAVE SOME MONEY FIRST.)
And finally, there are other ways to combine your business degree with the medical field that don't necessarily require you to spend more time an money on MORE undergrad coursework. (I graduated with a BS in neuroscience and still had to take 12 hours of post-baccalaureate courses to even be able to apply to all the PA programs in my state--art appreciation, a lower level anatomy & physiology course than I took for my degree, you name it.)
Point being, it will save you a whole lot of heartache and money to be passionate about your choice before taking that big leap. Good luck!
Working in the medical field a little first is wise for several reasons. It'll help you narrow in on what you want to pursue, give you the clinical contact hours every graduate healthcare training program requires, and help you decide if you even want to pursue a further career in the field. (I didn't hear you say anything about having much medical experience. It's not for everyone and there are other places to challenge yourself outside a traditional business career than medicine.)
Research everything you can about the professions you're considering. Ask as many people as you can from each profession you're considering why they chose it and if there's anything they wish they'd known before applying to their training programs. I'd recommend being REALLY sure what you want to do and why before you apply or, heavens forbid, take out student loans for any program. Those programs are NOT cheap and it is WAY harder than most people think to pay that stuff off. (If you're not in an enormous rush to start a chosen program, SAVE SOME MONEY FIRST.)
And finally, there are other ways to combine your business degree with the medical field that don't necessarily require you to spend more time an money on MORE undergrad coursework. (I graduated with a BS in neuroscience and still had to take 12 hours of post-baccalaureate courses to even be able to apply to all the PA programs in my state--art appreciation, a lower level anatomy & physiology course than I took for my degree, you name it.)
Point being, it will save you a whole lot of heartache and money to be passionate about your choice before taking that big leap. Good luck!
Mohd Shahid
Professor
3
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Mohd’s Answer
Hi Jeff!
Pharmacy colleges, even though are facing low enrollment challenge across the board, have a long list of prerequisite courses that one needs to complete before getting into the pharmacy program. Before you begin to take prerequisite courses, I'd recommend you to get some work exposure at a pharmacy setting whether retail or hospital. If you like what you are doing then you can certainly begin to invest in fulfilling those prerequisites.
Besides, from what we have been witnessing nationwide, pharmacy itself is no longer a lucrative career choice. However, PharmD tagged with a business degree would be readily sold. You can combine your business skills with the pharma industry and being successful and content at the same time.
Pharmacy colleges, even though are facing low enrollment challenge across the board, have a long list of prerequisite courses that one needs to complete before getting into the pharmacy program. Before you begin to take prerequisite courses, I'd recommend you to get some work exposure at a pharmacy setting whether retail or hospital. If you like what you are doing then you can certainly begin to invest in fulfilling those prerequisites.
Besides, from what we have been witnessing nationwide, pharmacy itself is no longer a lucrative career choice. However, PharmD tagged with a business degree would be readily sold. You can combine your business skills with the pharma industry and being successful and content at the same time.
Melissa Rapp
Associate Dean of Admissions
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
Why not leverage your business knowledge in a healthcare company? Practical application of what you learned in undergrad is very different than studying in school. Research some companies who are pharma or healthcare related. You could be much closer to a rewarding, interesting career than you think.
chad olson
Global Marketing
1
Answer
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
chad’s Answer
I have been very happy using my business degrees working in the healthcare industry. The work has been both challenging and rewarding. You might consider looking at jobs in sometimes overlooked healthcare businesses such as insurance/pharmacy benefit management or in medical device and technology. Business jobs in healthcare can provide broad exposure to increase your personal network and allow you to see what you like and don't like before deciding to pursue additional education or certifications to enter a specific field.
jeff ritter
3
Answers
Updated
jeff’s Answer
I would start working before deciding to go for more education or training. Try to get into the health business by expressing your interest in that area - there are plenty of openings in everything right now. If you can begin a career path, in anything, do it. You can change later.
Steven Marciniak
Vice President, Medicare Pharmacy Services
14
Answers
Northville, Michigan
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Pharmacy school is, at a minimum, a 6-year commitment. The curriculum is very science-based, with chemistry-related courses as a core (inorganic, organic, biochem, medicinal chem, etc.)
although a 6-year commitment seems like a lot, especially when you're younger, once you get through you will be set for life. almost all pharmacy jobs start in the low 6-figures, and you can have a ton of career choices. (I strongly disagree with one of the other replies that state pharmacy is not a lucrative field!!)
My own journey started as a community pharmacist, filling prescriptions in a retail setting. From there I became a district manager for the chain I was working at, and then I became involved in my organizations managed-care division and eventually would up selling pharmacy benefits for a short time. Then I moved into the insurance industry (think Blue Cross, United, etc.) where I have had a very successful 20-year run.
On the insurance side we hire many pharmacists to do things like review prior authorization requests - we also have pharmacists working in the sales and account areas...so again, lots of places to go if you are inclined!
Re the business aspect - I find one of the biggest challenges I have is to find those that have both clinical AND business acumen - and that combination will always give you a leg up in terms of being tapped for management and leadership roles
although a 6-year commitment seems like a lot, especially when you're younger, once you get through you will be set for life. almost all pharmacy jobs start in the low 6-figures, and you can have a ton of career choices. (I strongly disagree with one of the other replies that state pharmacy is not a lucrative field!!)
My own journey started as a community pharmacist, filling prescriptions in a retail setting. From there I became a district manager for the chain I was working at, and then I became involved in my organizations managed-care division and eventually would up selling pharmacy benefits for a short time. Then I moved into the insurance industry (think Blue Cross, United, etc.) where I have had a very successful 20-year run.
On the insurance side we hire many pharmacists to do things like review prior authorization requests - we also have pharmacists working in the sales and account areas...so again, lots of places to go if you are inclined!
Re the business aspect - I find one of the biggest challenges I have is to find those that have both clinical AND business acumen - and that combination will always give you a leg up in terms of being tapped for management and leadership roles
Carla Hooker
CNA
8
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Carla’s Answer
Hi Max!
These are all really great suggestions. I would definitely use your business degree that your worked hard for and paid a lot of money for before pursing another career path.
If you can land a job a lot a hospital or any good company that has tuition reimbursement benefits this will be a greater advantage for you so you can explore your options. some other options are to volunteer at a hospital or nursing home just to get your feet wet. also start off small with a cna or cma or emt license so that you can start gaining the necessary direct patient care experience you will need to apply to PA school.
if you find that you are loving this work environment by all means apply to your local community college (saving you lots of $$) and take your prereqs. this is where tuition reimbursement comes in handy!
also be patient! don’t get caught up in the time it’s gonna take you to do all of these things. life is a learning experience and being 24 you are probably just beginning to figure out what you want out of life and what is going to make you feel happy and fulfilled. i always wanted to be a PA but it took me 6 years of life experiences and work experiences to feel ready to apply for grad school. I think it actually helps that I am older than many of my classmates because I have a little more insight. i am interest to see where you are in your decision given the time since you posted this question and the current pandemic 😔 please feel free to message me directly if you have any more questions or updates!
These are all really great suggestions. I would definitely use your business degree that your worked hard for and paid a lot of money for before pursing another career path.
If you can land a job a lot a hospital or any good company that has tuition reimbursement benefits this will be a greater advantage for you so you can explore your options. some other options are to volunteer at a hospital or nursing home just to get your feet wet. also start off small with a cna or cma or emt license so that you can start gaining the necessary direct patient care experience you will need to apply to PA school.
if you find that you are loving this work environment by all means apply to your local community college (saving you lots of $$) and take your prereqs. this is where tuition reimbursement comes in handy!
also be patient! don’t get caught up in the time it’s gonna take you to do all of these things. life is a learning experience and being 24 you are probably just beginning to figure out what you want out of life and what is going to make you feel happy and fulfilled. i always wanted to be a PA but it took me 6 years of life experiences and work experiences to feel ready to apply for grad school. I think it actually helps that I am older than many of my classmates because I have a little more insight. i am interest to see where you are in your decision given the time since you posted this question and the current pandemic 😔 please feel free to message me directly if you have any more questions or updates!
Dmitriy Grinshpun
Pharmacist
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Dmitriy’s Answer
Unfortunately, any mid to high pay medical field involving patient care like nursing, pharmacist or PA, will have you repeating most of your educational pathway. You would make the most of your current field of study by getting a foot in the door on the admin or finance side of a hospital or anything in the medical realm, then expanding to a masters in medical admin.