Deciding on your college major can be a big undertaking. If you have an interest in the growing health care field, you may have chosen health science as your major, knowing it\u2019s a broad based program that prepares you for a variety of health related jobs. Now you may be pondering what minor would work best to complement your health science degree.<\/p>\n
The minor you choose be related specifically to your health field, but it could just as easily be a second language, business, computers or psychology. You career goals and passions will help shape what you choose.<\/p>\n
Your choice of a minor may first depend on\u00a0what type of health science degree you\u2019re undertaking<\/a>. If you already hold an associate\u2019s degree and some experience, you may be working to complete a bachelor\u2019s degree in a clinical management track. Or you may be pursuing a bachelor\u2019s degree in a pre-professional track as a stepping stone to advance degree work at the master\u2019s level.<\/p>\n In the first case, your educational goals may be shaped by the work you are already doing as a healthcare professional. If you are already working as a healthcare administrator, a dental hygienist or EMT, you may have some specific skill areas you want to advance in to help you do a better job in your existing field. For instance, you may be a medical secretary who has realized that she could benefit from more advanced office skills. In that case, you might want to consider a minor in business management or computers.<\/p>\n In the pre-professional track, you may already be planning to go on for further education. If you plan to get a master\u2019s degree in physical therapy or health informatics, for instance, you know you will be doing advanced coursework in those areas. You may want to choose a minor based on a side interest that could help you in your career on down the road. For example, if you think you might be working in an urban environment or with an under-served population, an appropriate second language or sociology might be good choices.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a good question. Though one answer won\u2019t fit all employers and situations, it\u2019s probably safe to give at least a qualified yes. A minor can show a potential employer more about your interests, commitments and willingness to work hard.\u00a0It may also show a potential employer that you\u2019ve done your homework.<\/a>\u00a0If you know there\u2019s a certain part of the healthcare industry you want to work for, or even a specific company or healthcare system, it could be a good idea to research what kinds of skills and experience they most value. Then you can tailor your educational program to help prepare you.<\/p>\nDo Potential Employers Even Look at Minors?<\/h3>\n