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Many people have the same questions as you about allied health careers.
So, check this out.
You probably won't find all of the answers to your questions, but it's a start!
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I'm interested in an allied health career, I'm not certain about which one. How soon in my college career do I need to make that decision?
When you begin your freshman year in college, it is not essential to know which of the allied health careers you would like to pursue. A general science-based curriculum in the first year will apply to all programs. This is also the beginning coursework for a pre-medicine major. So, the first year of college provides time to acquire some of the basics and learn more about the different fields that may be of interest to you.
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Will my credits transfer if I begin my post high school education at a community college?
You must check with each individual college to be certain, but generally most four-year institutions will accept up to 66 semester hours of credits from a community college.
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In addition to studying hard and getting good grades in my high school's college prep program, what else can I do now to improve my chances of being accepted into a professional allied health program?
You might want to become involved in healthcare by volunteering at a local hospital or other healthcare facility, or by working part time as a patient escort, nursing assistant, or dietary aide. Working as a phlebotomist would also provide excellent experience and exposure to the healthcare environment after high school graduation. Any of these jobs or volunteer opportunities would provide learning experiences about the healthcare environment and help you to decide if it is for you.
Good communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse group of people are very important in healthcare. Any activities that would allow you to master these skills would add value to your entry into a professional program. The ability to speak another language, even minimally, is a definite plus as our communities become more and more diverse.
The worlds of school and work can be stressful at times, so having a well rounded background and some outside interests will allow you to focus on other things and relax in your "off" hours. This will greatly enhance your ability to perform at your best when it is time to get back to learning or caring for patients.
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Is there someone I can talk with to learn more about an allied health profession that interests me?
Contact any of the people in the "Talk to Us" sections of this website. They will either answer your questions directly, or link you up with someone who can.
Students often like to "shadow" or spend a few hours with an allied health professional as they go about their job. This is almost always possible if prior arrangements are made.
In addition, look for allied health displays at your high school or community career fairs. If you don't see any allied health displays, ask the person who organizes the career fair to invite representatives of various allied health professions the next time that the fair is held. Allied health professionals are also willing to visit high school classes or clubs to provide information or offer demonstrations related to specific careers. Also, talk to your friends and neighbors…one of them just might be an allied health professional!
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What About Your Questions?
You probably have some of your own questions, so give us a shout. You can click here - Talk to Us - to find out all the different ways you can reach us. Or, you can send an e-mail to Fran Higgins in the School of Allied Health, at fhiggins@unmc.edu. (She's really nice, so don't be afraid to drop her a line!) We look forward to hearing from you. |
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©2002 UNMC School of Allied Health Professions
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