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Career Planning

Career Planning

Planning for a career in healthcare is more important now than ever. The way healthcare workers care for patients is changing, and this affects what jobs are available, how competitive they are and what you need to do to prepare yourself for a healthcare career.

Understanding healthcare delivery trends and how they relate to careers is key. Two helpful resources are:

Healthcare Virtual Career Network: This site offers a database of healthcare careers to explore, as well as the requirements for each. Information on how to prepare for specific careers is also available.

ExploreHealthCareers.com: This site provides a section that has current healthcare trend information, as well as links to other sites that can provide more in-depth trend and policy news and insights.

You can also review the list of local Priority Occupations. These are occupations that are either in demand in Western Massachusetts, or have rapidly changing job requirements and need special attention when planning a career.

Taking time to understand options and trends that can affect future job opportunities as well as personal needs and goals will lead to more possibilities to build a rewarding healthcare career, not just find a short-term job.

What kind of training does a healthcare career require?

Almost all healthcare careers require “post-secondary” education (school or training beyond the high school level). This is why starting to prepare early, especially in math and science, can help those interested in a health career move ahead more quickly.

There are also many options for healthcare education and training programs, including training, certificate, and degree options. Learn more about the differences between programs and how to choose the one that is best for you.  

Career planning resources

There are local professionals and organizations who can answer personalized questions and provide additional tools and resources. These include:

One-Stop Career Centers: Career centers can provide personalized career advice, a variety of assessment and job search tools, one-on-one counseling, and skill workshops.

College Career Centers: Counselors at local colleges can be knowledgeable about school programs and how they relate to preparing for a healthcare career. Depending on the individual school’s policy, these services may be available to you even if you are not already enrolled in the school. See the list of local schools and their healthcare programs.

Supervisors or managers: For those already working in healthcare, discuss your career options, including training programs and requirements with your supervisor. Some employers may even offer tuition reimbursement or other financial aid.

Friends and family: People already working in healthcare, especially in a field of interest, can be great sources of information – both what to do and what not to do. Talk to as many people as possible in your chosen field.

Web-based tools

  • Career Cruising – Career Cruising is a self-exploration and planning program that helps people of all ages achieve their potential in school, career and life.
  • College Board – provides college readiness services to students.
  • MassHire Career Information System  – provides information on career assessment and planning, occupations, the labor market, outlook, and educational options. Target audience includes career and school counselors, job seekers, students and educators.
  • Naviance – A personalized college and career readiness program that assess students’ skills and learning styles.  It also helps to identify suitable careers, match students with college programs and help students to identify preparatory courses.
  • Roadtrip Nation – project-based programs use a blended learning format to foster authentic career exploration through interactive lessons and engaging multimedia content.
  • MEFA Pathway Your Plan for the Future – help students to navigate the college enrollment process as well as support students with vocational trainings entering the workforce.

MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board

1441 Main Street, First Floor
Springfield, MA 01103
413-233-9856

The MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities, Verizon Telephone Relay Service: TDD/TTY: 1-800-439-2370 Voice: 1-800-439-0183