Basic health care in the developing world is always in high demand. There are a number of health-related careers that enable one to work in the developing world, though it is not necessary to have a health-related degree to find work in a developing country. The biggest need is for those who specialize in patient care or administrative health, such as public health.
Health science researchers such as medical researchers and laboratory technicians can find work through worldwide health organizations or large volunteer networks. For the most part, however, the highest demand is for patient care specialists. It is useful to bear in mind that most health and health science jobs in the developing world pay very little, if at all.
Professionals Who Assist with Basic Health Care are in High Demand
Quality health care in the developing world is always lacking, so the demand is highest for medical health care degrees, such as, doctors, nurses, surgeons, pharmacists, and professionals that work directly with patients. Technicians who provide ancillary services rarely available in the developing world, such as X-ray technicians, radiologists, and ultrasound technicians, would have a harder time finding placement. Medical assistants and certified nursing technicians may be able to find volunteer work through certain organization, but the surest road to obtaining placement is to acquire a medical or patient care degree.
The health science field does offer some opportunities for medical research jobs in the field, especially for those who do research in infectious diseases, epidemiology, medicine, and public health. Specialists such as mental health workers may also find work through some of the more reputable organizations.
Doctors Without Borders, the most widely known and respected international health care organization, has been in existence for more than forty years. They employ health workers and non-health care workers in more than sixty countries. Their website is one of the first places to look for those interested in working in the developing world.
Begin Researching at Home
For those interested in health science and health-related fields in the developing world, the best place to start is with organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and volunteer organizations. There are literally thousands of volunteer programs worldwide.
The next place to look is at local universities. A university website will provide a complete list of the health and medical industry degrees available for study, and each degree will provide possible career tracks open to that degree, often indicating opportunities for development work. Many universities also offer internationally focused degrees or concentrations, such as Masters Degrees in Public Health with an international focus, or programs in Global Health. Universities will sometimes offer study-abroad options or programs that provide credit for working and interning in a developing country.
There is Always Need in the Developing World
The developing world always has a need for specialists, whether they are health care workers, health science technicians, or even business. As was mentioned earlier, the demand for basic health care is the highest, so there will always be a need for health workers.
