How You Can Succeed in a Career in Healthcare

A career in healthcare offers a unique blend of personal fulfillment and professional growth. Healthcare professionals, whether they are doctors, nurses, therapists, or support staff, play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for individuals and communities. 

The healthcare industry is continuously evolving due to advancements in medicine and technology, creating numerous opportunities for specialization and advancement. The intrinsic reward of making a significant difference in people’s lives makes a career in healthcare one of the most respected and fulfilling professions available.

If you like science and are passionate about the health of people in your community, you’re the perfect fit for a medical career. Our healthcare system needs sharp, logical, compassionate, and analytical people. These skills will help you enjoy a successful career as a healthcare worker and, consequently, allow you to make a difference within your community and the medical field.

The Ongoing Need for Black Representation in Healthcare

Black medical professionals are significantly underrepresented. While Black individuals constitute approximately 13% of the U.S. population, they account for only about 5% of doctors. This discrepancy in representation not only raises concerns about equity but also impacts patient care. 

As reported by U.S. News, “Racial disparities in health and healthcare providers continue in the U.S., and they are likely interconnected.” In other words, the health challenges experienced by underserved communities could be linked, in part, to the limited diversity within the medical profession.

The impacts of inequality are evident broadly and in the treatment of individual patients. Typically, Black individuals encounter more obstacles to accessing healthcare and often receive inferior medical care. Generally and historically speaking, Black populations are at higher risk for illness and disease and have a lower life expectancy than other racial/ethnic groups. 

Perhaps the most striking and topical example of racial disparities in the healthcare system can be seen in the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Even after adjusting for age, data indicates that Black individuals are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than whites. When effective treatments for COVID-19 became readily available, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also reported that Black patients were 35.8% less likely to be treated with Paxlovid (the most commonly prescribed outpatient therapy) than white patients.

Creating more equitable opportunities and representation in the healthcare field is crucial to addressing these healthcare disparities. Research has shown that Black patients are likely to have better health outcomes and feel more comfortable when Black doctors see them. 

Careers in Healthcare

Graduates in this field may pursue careers in a vast variety of capacities. Some of these include:

• Primary care doctor (family or internal medicine)
• Specialist doctor (pediatrics, sports medicine, ophthalmology, cardiology, etc.)
• Surgeon (various specialties)
• Dentist, orthodontist, or oral surgeon
• Nurse (various certifications and specialties)
• Physician’s assistant
• Physical therapist
• Pharmacist
• Radiologist 
• Athletic trainer
• Dietician

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Want to learn more about this possible career path and college major? Have questions about which UNCF colleges and universities offer degrees in healthcare? Looking for help with financing this degree? 

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How to Prepare for Success

A well-paying, emotionally fulfilling medical career is a worthy goal, though it requires years of hard work and dedication. As early as high school, you can take steps to set yourself up for success. Take as many honors and AP science classes as possible and strive for excellent grades. In your free time, consider volunteering at a local hospital or clinic. 

Once you’re in college, make sure to get connected with your health professions department, sign up for shadowing opportunities, and apply for internships or research positions that will help you narrow down what branch of healthcare you’re interested in while also boosting your resume. When the time comes to take the MCAT (typically the year before or the same year you intend to apply to medical school), consider taking a prep course. 

As a college student, there are a wide variety of majors that can help prepare you for medical school. Rather than having a designated pre-med major, many schools offer a pre-med concentration that helps students fulfill the requirements for medical school and prepare for the MCAT (in addition to meeting the requirements for their chosen major). Required coursework will vary slightly depending on your college (and the medical school you hope to attend). However, in general, pre-med students should expect to take courses in the following areas:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Physics
• Calculus
• Anatomy and physiology
• Psychology

Check out AAMC’s resources for aspiring doctors and financial aid to learn what it takes to practice health professionally. Start scoping out medical schools early and take all the classes necessary to apply to your favorite medical schools.

Schools to Consider

To enter the healthcare field, students must earn a bachelor’s degree, but the highest-paying jobs require a master’s or doctoral degree (a research, professional, or clinical doctorate). They also require internships, residencies, and other forms of fieldwork. These UNCF-member schools offer programs in medicine:

• Xavier University of Louisiana
• Morehouse College
• Tuskegee University
• Johnson C. Smith University
• Wilberforce University
• Bethune-Cookman University
• Oakwood University

Professional Organizations

Many professional medical organizations can provide more insight into some of the specializations in this discipline. These include:

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL)
• American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM)
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
• American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
• American College of Surgeons (ACS)
• National Medical Association

Scholarships Available

There’s no better way to start on your path toward a successful career in healthcare than with a solid financial foundation. Fortunately, many scholarships are available through UNCF. Keep an eye on the UNCF website for current scholarship opportunities and announcements. 

Search for specific scholarships and view those that are currently accepting applications here! Students should also check with each college or university to see if additional scholarships are available to study healthcare.

As you explore your options, use our guide to apply for scholarships and grants. You can also receive guidance by submitting a major interest form for a career in healthcare. Submit the form on our website to get started. And follow us on UNCF’s social media channels to receive notifications about our scholarships and member HBCUs. Reach out today!

You can also show your support for students pursuing careers and furthering equity in healthcare by contributing to UNCF member schools. Education is the greatest tool we have in creating a just and equitable society where economic mobility is available to all. Help us achieve this future by donating today!