Health Care Managers

If you are considering a career as a health services manager, you should take advantage of opportunities in high school to develop some of the skills that are required in this line of work. Because administrators and other health care executives need strong leadership and communication skills, participation in clubs as a leader or active member and in debate and speech clubs is helpful. Working in your school's health center is also useful. Hospitals, nursing homes, and other health service facilities offer part-time work or volunteer opportunities after school, on weekends, and during the summer. Health services executives are often willing to speak to interested students, but be sure to make an appointment first.

Professional health management medical associations often provide useful information for students. Check out the Future Students section of the Association of University Programs in Healthcare Administration's Web site, https://www.aupha.org/main-site/resourcecenter/futurestudents, for information on education and careers in the field.

Consider joining HOSA-Future Health Professionals, a national membership organization for high school and college students who are interested in pursuing careers in health care. HOSA offers competitions for aspiring medical professionals. Learn more at https://hosa.org/guidelines.