Although there are a variety of ways that individuals with health science degrees can increase their job marketability, opting to become a health science intern can be particularly advantageous. This is the case for several reasons, including the fact that internships provide health science students and workers with the type of real life experiences that can help them excel on the job. By learning more about where you should intern once you attain your health science degree, you can make informed decisions that help accelerate your progress in accomplishing your professional goals.
Health Science-The Basics
Although broadly defined, health science is the field that places primacy upon the development of interventions, technology, or knowledge in the fields of healthcare and/or public health. Some of the subjects that fall under the healthcare science umbrella include clinical virology, medical microbiology, genetic epidemiology, biomedical engineering, and clinical epidemiology.
Interning With Your Health Science Degree
Students who possess health science degrees and want to attain an internship should note that there is not necessarily one type of internship that is “better” than another. Rather, there are internships that are more suitable than others because they will provide you with the type of experience that is conducive to helping you excel within the career field you plan to enter. Since this is the case, you should think critically about the type of job you plan to attain when deciding which type of internship to pursue. With that in mind, you can consider whether any of the following types of internships would be advantageous or ideal for you:
1. Pharmacist.
Individuals who want to become a pharmacist should consider pursuing an internship through an employer such as Walgreens. With an internship from an employer such as Walgreens, you would develop real life field experience regarding things such as prescription medications, disease state information, pharmacy ethics and laws, and herbal products. By interning with the right employer, you will be able to work in a highly consultative and collaborative environment that will enable you to contribute to patient wellness when you begin to work within your chosen field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median 2012 salary for a pharmacist was $116,670. Thus pursuing an internship with an employer that will help you excel in this field would most likely be a prudent investment.
2. Health Service Manager.
Health service managers direct, coordinate, supervise, and plan healthcare service delivery. There are a variety of different internships that could help an individual excel within this field, such as one in health care management. With a health care management internship, you would be afforded the opportunity to gain patient care experience within a clinical setting. The internships will also provide you with the ability to interact with health care professionals who can provide you with valuable information regarding your career opportunities in fields such as nursing, allied health, medicine, and health care management.
Conclusion
Although the health science-related internships listed above do not constitute an exhaustive list, they do offer you an understanding of which internships exist and how to select one based on your professional career goals. By becoming a health science intern in a field that is directly related to the vocational path you plan to pursue, you can make a great stride toward attaining the personal and professional success you desire.
