How to Prepare for a Healthcare Career During High School

If you are a high school student who wants to work in healthcare, you can start preparing for your future career now. High school offers many opportunities to lay the groundwork for becoming a nurse, medical assistant, technician or other healthcare professional. Volunteer programs like Texas Children’s Summer Juniors are one way to prepare for a healthcare career while still in high school. Below are more steps you can take to build a sturdy foundation for your future.  

Explore Healthcare Careers Early 

High school is an excellent time to explore the wide range of careers available in healthcare. While some healthcare roles, like doctors or nurse practitioners, require advanced degrees, many others—such as phlebotomists, medical assistants or patient care technicians—begin with certifications or vocational training. 

Start by researching different career options to understand the education and training requirements for each. Websites like the Bureau of Labor Statistics or healthcare career guides can give you a good sense of which jobs align with your interests and what path you will need to follow. Talking to healthcare professionals, attending career fairs and joining health-focused clubs can also help you get a better sense of your options. 

Maintain Strong Academics 

For all healthcare careers, a solid academic foundation is important. Science-based courses like biology, chemistry, anatomy and health sciences are critical, regardless of whether you plan to go to college or pursue a certification. These courses will help you develop the technical knowledge you will need for future training programs and on-the-job tasks. 

Even if your chosen career doesn’t require a degree, having strong high school grades can help you qualify for vocational programs or certifications. Schools offering Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) programs or other health-related certifications look for candidates with strong academic performance. If possible, take advantage of advanced placement (AP) or dual credit courses in science and math. These can provide college credits and help you stand out when applying for training programs. 

Volunteer and Gain Experience 

Volunteering is one of the best ways to get hands-on experience and a closer look at what working in healthcare is really like. Volunteering helps you develop important skills like communication and empathy while also providing insight into different healthcare jobs. 

The Texas Children’s Summer Junior Program lets high school students spend time in our hospital. We allow student volunteers to assist hospital staff, interact with patients and learn about different jobs at Texas Children’s.  If you are unable to participate in our Summer Junior Program, seek out other volunteer opportunities at local hospitals, clinics or nursing homes. These experiences are the perfect way to determine if a career in healthcare is right for you while building your resume and expanding your skill set. 

Join Clubs and Organizations 

Extracurricular activities also help pave the way to a healthcare career. Many high schools offer clubs related to health and medicine. HOSA-Future Health Professionals is a global organization with a chapter in Texas and other states. Some schools offer K12 Nursing Explorers or Red Cross Clubs. These organizations give students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of healthcare, participate in community service projects and even compete in healthcare-related events. 

Taking on leadership roles in these organizations helps build problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills—all of which are critical for success in healthcare. These experiences can also strengthen your applications for training programs, certifications or college. 

Pursue Shadowing and Internship Opportunities 

Shadowing healthcare professionals is an invaluable way to gain insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of various healthcare roles. By shadowing a nurse, technician or medical assistant, you will have the chance to observe patient care, procedures and healthcare team dynamics. 

High school counselors or local hospitals can often help arrange shadowing opportunities. Additionally, some healthcare facilities offer high school internships that allow you to spend a few weeks working closely with healthcare teams, giving you a more comprehensive view of different roles within the field. 

Develop Key Soft Skills 

Regardless of the type of healthcare career you pursue, working effectively with others and managing patient interactions are key components of the job. Soft skills such as communication, empathy, time management and teamwork are critical and can be developed through experiences outside of the classroom. Community service, part-time jobs, sports, performing arts and group activities of all kinds are excellent ways to improve these skills. 

Explore Certification and Training Programs 

For students who want to enter the workforce quickly after high school, there are several healthcare careers that don’t require a four-year college degree. Instead, they require certification or specialized training. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and Pharmacy Technicians are just a few examples of roles that can be pursued with a high school diploma and the appropriate certification. 

Many vocational programs and community colleges offer certification courses, and some high schools offer courses that lead to these certifications. By completing a certification program, you can begin working in healthcare right away and gain practical experience that could lead to further opportunities. 

Research and Prepare for College Programs 

If you are considering healthcare careers such as nursing, physical therapy or another specialized role, a degree is required. Many healthcare programs are competitive, so it is important to maintain good grades and start planning for college early. 

Look into pre-health or pre-med tracks offered by colleges, and consider schools that have strong nursing, allied health or healthcare sciences programs. Start researching scholarships and financial aid options, as healthcare degrees often require several years of schooling. Participating in volunteer programs can strengthen your college applications by showing that you have gained real-world experience and are committed to a career in healthcare. 

Prepare for the Workforce 

Preparing for a healthcare career in high school is all about gaining experience and building relevant skills. Whether through volunteering, shadowing, joining health-related clubs or taking rigorous science courses, the steps you take now will set the stage for a rewarding career in healthcare—no matter which path you choose.