Careers in Healthcare and Beyond

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the fastest projected job growth will occur in the healthcare, healthcare support and personal care fields which accounts for almost one third of the total employment growth by 2020. Analysts suggest that the healthcare field is growing because of the long-term trends of an aging population and improved diagnosing and treatment options. Additionally, technology advances in telemedicine and telehealth are allowing elderly patients to remain in their homes as they age even though their health needs are increasing. All these advances and changes to payment structures are fueling the employment growth opportunities in healthcare. This book is intended for someone curious to learn more about a career in healthcare, but not certain if it is right for them, or if the industry would be a good fit for them. For the person who is already interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, it provides added excitement to continue on this path. For the person who is less certain, it explores in a narrative format, the unique opportunities that are available in healthcare, and career options that are not obvious to the general public. It is designed to provide added insights and stories that will inspire one to learn more about the field of healthcare and the many opportunities to consider. It will encourage readers to explore ways to gain hands-on experience to determine what is the best approach for them to take to start this journey. This book is also intended for those who currently work in healthcare but may be considering a different job in the field.

Evelyn Lee is leading a new initiative as the founder of Vocation Catalyst, Ltd., an organization that works with companies and non-profits to develop cost-effective means to build sustainable talent pools with the right skills to meet their business needs, which also provides students with opportunities to develop and advance their career interests. Upon the completion of her PhD, Evelyn joined Abbott, a globally diversified healthcare company, where she held positions in the Abbott Diagnostics Division (ADD), leading projects through phases of research, development, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, marketing, product launch, and on-market/technical support. With an interest in gaining a broader business perspective, Evelyn accepted a unique 6-month opportunity in ADD Human Resources, working in the Internal Staffing Center. Evelyn continued to gain business/HR experience through her work in talent acquisition, learning and development, and as an HR generalist. As Manager, University Relation at Abbott and AbbVie, Evelyn has led university partnership strategies, internship and co-op programs, and the recruitment for internship and entry-level opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate level students across many disciplines. Evelyn earned a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Northwestern University.

Chapter 1: Working in the healthcare industry - what is this really all about?; Chapter 2: What it takes to work in healthcare - what does it REALLY take to work in healthcare?; Chapter 3: Stories from those who have chosen a career in healthcare - how did they make this decision, and what did they learn along the way?; Chapter 4: The business case for working in healthcare - what are the options, i.e., medicine, pharmacy, nursing, etc. and what if I like IT or numbers, how can this work for me, what is the ROI?; Chapter 5: The Global Economy, Healthcare and Its Impact - what is the ROI for others?; Chapter 6: Getting Started - gathering information, gaining industry insights, the value of internships, volunteering - what do I do first and how do I know I am making the right choice for me?