Explore Healthcare, Nursing, and Counseling
Careers in healthcare, nursing, and counseling offer opportunities to use science, research, compassion, and critical thinking to provide care, improve the health of others, and solve global health challenges. We invite you to explore this cluster to determine if it is a good fit for you and leverage our resources to launch your job, internship, or graduate school search.
You can also check out ExploreHealthCareers.org to see if a career in healthcare, nursing, and counseling is right for you.
What would you like to do?
While there is not one strict definition, allied health refers to areas within healthcare that are distinct from medicine and nursing. Allied health professionals deliver services involving the identification, evaluation and prevention of diseases and disorders; dietary and nutrition services; and rehabilitation and health systems management. Allied health professionals include dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, radiographers, respiratory therapists, and speech language pathologists.
Allied health professionals comprise nearly 60% of the healthcare workforce. For more information, job and salary listings, check out this Allied Health Professions Overview.
Types of Positions (*requires an advanced degree)
- Medical Assistant
- Patient Care Associate
- Surgical Technologist
- Anesthesiologist Assistant
- Dental Hygienist
- Medical Sonographer
- Radiographer
- Respiratory Therapist
- Genetic Counselor*
- Occupational Therapist*
- Physical Therapist*
- Physiotherapist*
- Chiropractor*
- Speech Language Pathologist*
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
- Paggi Physical Therapy Sports Rehabilitation
- Walden Behavioral Care
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center,
- St. Luke's Health System
- GeneD
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- NYC Department of Education
- Los Angeles Unified School District
Hiring Timelines for Healthcare Professions
- 5% received job offers before senior year
- 7% received job offers during fall semester of senior year
- 54% received job offers during spring semester of senior year
- 39% received job offers summer after graduation
- 9% received job offers fall after graduation
Online Resources
- Free Medical Assistant Training Programs and Job Placement
- Free Patient Care Technician Training Programs and Job Placement
- CNA Requirements and Training Programs Near You
- Getting Started As A Medical Assistant
- Allied Health Careers
- Association of Schools of Advancing Health Professions
- American Physical Therapy Association Careers
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Care
- National Association of Black Physical Therapists
- American Physical Therapy Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources
- American Occupational Therapy Association Multicultural Interests
- National Society of Genetic Counselors Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources
- Understanding DPT Programs
Campus Resources
Professional Associations and Organizations
Do I need to go to graduate school?
While there are some entry-level roles to support allied health providers that do not require graduate education, to work as an allied health professional, advanced study and training is required. You should research the requirements for the specific field you plan to enter. For example, physical therapists must earn a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) and pass a licensing exam while occupational therapists need to earn a masters degree and license.
Graduate Program Resources:
Clinicians are healthcare professionals qualified in the clinical practice of medicine. Clinicians work together to provide care and support the overall health of their patients in healthcare settings. Clinical researchers design, implement, and monitor studies designated for clinical development. The most common clinical paths beyond nursing for BC students include Physician, Dentist, Veterinarian, Physician Assistant, and Clinical Researcher. This section covers the various clinical professions within medicine that are beyond nursing (see the Nursing tab).
Types of Positions (*requires an advanced degree)
- Physician* (Allopathic, M.D. or Osteopathic, D.O.)
- Surgeon*
- Physician Assistant*
- Pharmacist*
- Dentist*
- Veterinarian*
- Clinical Researcher
To work as a clinical professional, you will need to attend a health professions graduate program (i.e. medical school) graduate school. To increase your chances of getting in, you will need to demonstrate clinical experience, which is working in a hospital setting where you are engaging with patients or their care, is incredibly important. Roles include medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, patient care technician, emergency medical technician. Shadowing and volunteering in those settings are also good experiences.
Participation in research is not a technical requirement for admission but it is highly valued- especially at the more research oriented MD programs.
Please note that participating in research is quite distinct from obtaining clinical experience. Many students are accepted into graduate programs with little to no research experience, but if you do not have exposure to the clinical aspects of healthcare you will find it very difficult to gain acceptance.
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
Employment:
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute
- McLean Hospital
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Scribe America
Graduate School:
- Johns Hopkins
- Harvard Medical School
- New York Medical College
- Tufts University
- University of Massachusetts
- Columbia University
Hiring Timelines for Healthcare Professions
- 5% received job offers before senior year
- 7% received job offers during fall semester of senior year
- 54% received job offers during spring semester of senior year
- 39% received job offers summer after graduation
- 9% received job offers fall after graduation
Online Resources
- Explorehealthcareers.org
- Free Medical Assistant Training Programs and Job Placement
- Free Patient Care Technician Training Programs and Job Placement
- CNA Requirements and Training Programs Near You
- Getting Started As A Medical Assistant
- Association of American Medical Colleges (Subscribe to AAMC Pre-Med Navigator Newsletter)
- American Dental Education Association (Subscribe to GoDental Newsletter)
- Association of American Veterinary Medical College (Subscribe to VSES Newsletter)
- AAMC Post-Bacc Pre-Med Database
- PA Shadow Online
- Medical Scribe Information
- ACRP Career Center
- Project I.M.P.A.C.T. Increase Minority Participation and Awareness of Clinical Trials
- Mentoring in Medicine
- Greater Influence
- AAMC Resources on Diversity & Inclusion
Campus Resources
- BC Pre-Health Program
- BC Student Organizations
- Mendel Society
- GlobeMed
- Global Medical Brigades
- Project Sunshine
- Pre-Dental Society
- Timmy Global Health
- Eagles EMS
- MEDLIFE
Professional Associations and Organizations
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
- Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)
- National Medical Association (NMA)
- Association of Black Women Physicians
- The Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP)
- National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP)
- National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA)
- National Association of Black Veterinarians
- National Dental Association
- Hispanic Dental Association
- American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Caucuses
- Gay & Lesbian Medical Association
Do I need to go to graduate school?
While there are entry-level positions in clinical research that do not require a graduate degree, graduate study is required to work in clinical fields. Physicians require an M.D. or D.O. degree. Dentists require a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree. Vetrinarians require a D.V.M. degree. Physician Assistants require a master's degree. Clinical Researchers often pursue a master's or doctoral degree.
Graduate Program Resources:
8%
Average percentage of BC graduates that pursue graduate degrees in medicine directly after graduation
Healthcare administration incorporates a variety of business functions within a healthcare organization or system. The ultimate goal of healthcare administrators is to ensure effective and efficient healthcare delivery. While the work of healthcare administrators (from health policy to human resources) occurs behind the scenes, it is critical to the quality and accessibility of frontline healthcare.
Types of Positions
- Healthcare Insurance Representative
- Healthcare Data Analyst
- Department Manager
- Medical Billing Specialist
- Healthcare Software Implementation Specialist
- Healthcare Consultant
- Revenue Cycle Operations Manager
- Director of Finance (Medical Devices)
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
- Epic Systems
- Definitive Healthcare
- Cigna
- Athenahealth
- Optum
- Mass General Brigham
- Johnson & Johnson
- eClinicalWorks
- Bristol Meyer Squibb
Hiring Timelines for Healthcare Professions
- 5% received job offers before senior year
- 7% received job offers during fall semester of senior year
- 54% received job offers during spring semester of senior year
- 39% received job offers summer after graduation
- 9% received job offers fall after graduation
Professional Associations and Organizations
Do I need to go to graduate school?
A graduate degree is not required for most entry-level positions in healthcare administration. A master's degree in business or healthcare administration can increase your employability and ability to work in management positions.
Mental health and counseling providers (clinicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, therapists) help to address situational or chronic mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or addiction. Many mental health providers work with clients in individual or group therapy, but the environment may vary from private practice to an educational or government organization. Macro social workers focus on social innovation and use their leadership skills to use a systems approach to address complex social issues. This resource on types of mental health professionals explains the differences between psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and therapists/counselors.
Types of Positions (*requires an advanced degree)
- Case or Program Manager
- Psychiatric Technician
- Addiction Counselor
- Mental Health Research
- School Social Worker
- School Adjustment Counselor*
- Macro Social Worker*
- Mental Health Counselor*
- Clinical Social Worker*
- Clinical Psychologist*
- Psychotherapist*
- Psychiatrist*
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
- MA Department of Mental Health
- New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist
- Column Health
- St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
- North Suffolk Mental Health Association
- Yale New Haven Health
- Riverside Community Care
- Various College Counseling Centers
- Private Practice
- Fenway Health
- Correctional Facilities
- Catholic Charities
- Boston College
Hiring Timelines for Healthcare Professions
- 5% received job offers before senior year
- 7% received job offers during fall semester of senior year
- 54% received job offers during spring semester of senior year
- 39% received job offers summer after graduation
- 9% received job offers fall after graduation
Online Resources
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Psychology Today
- Considering a Career in Mental Health Counseling
- SocialWork.org
- Mental Health America Black And African American Communities And Mental Health
- National Alliance on Mental Illness Identity and Cultural Dimensions
- National Association of Social Workers LGBT Resources
Campus Resources
Professional Associations
- National Association of Social Workers
- American Mental Health Counselors Association
- Association for Addiction Professionals
- Mental Health Research Association
- American Psychological Association
- Asian American Psychological Association
- Association of Black Psychologists
- National Latina/o Psychological Association
- Society of Indian Psychologists
- National Association of Black Social Workers
Do I need to go to graduate school?
While there are some entry-level roles to support mental health providers that do not require graduate education, to work as a mental health provider, a graduate degree is required. Before pursuing a degree, it is important to learn about what each degree will allow you to do career-wise to determine which type of program will help you achieve your goals (e.g. some degrees will qualify you for a specific type of licensure while others will not). The National Alliance on Mental Illness website shows the degree requirements by type of mental health professional.
Nursing is the largest healthcare field. It combines science and technology with the desire to help people. The two most popular career options in nursing include becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) or Nurse Practitioner (NP). Both RNs and NPs work closely with patients to monitor their health and provide care. NPs hold graduate degrees and specialize in areas such as family, adult, gerontology, psychiatry, women's health, anesthesia, and more. While a majority of nurses work in hospitals, opportunities are available in a variety of settings including private healthcare, nonprofits, education, the military, and more.
Graduates of the Connell School of Nursing (CSON) undergraduate program will be prepared to fill RN positions and graduates of the Connell School of Nursing will be prepared to fill NP positions as well as research and education positions. Non-CSON students who are interested in a career in nursing will take a different path to nursing, as additional education is required to enter nursing as a RN or NP.
Types of Positions (*requires an advanced degree)
- Certified Nurse Assistant
- Registered Nurse
- New Graduate Residency Program
- Nurse Externship Program
- Certified Nurse Assistant
- Nurse Practitioner*
- Nurse Anesthetist*
- Nurse Educator*
- Director of Nursing*
- Chief Nursing Officer*
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Boston Children's Hospital
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- New York Presbyterian Hospital
- UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center
- Yale New Haven Hospital
- Bellevue Hospital
- Medstar Georgetown Hospital
- McLean Hospital
Hiring Timelines for Healthcare Professions
- 5% received job offers before senior year
- 7% received job offers during fall semester of senior year
- 54% received job offers during spring semester of senior year
- 39% received job offers summer after graduation
- 9% received job offers fall after graduation
Professional Associations
- Sigma Theta Tau (International Honor Society of Nursing)
- National Student Nurses' Association
- Massachusetts Student Nurses’ Association
- American Nurses Association
- American Nurses Association Massachusetts
- American Academy of Nursing
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
- National Black Nurses Association
- New England Regional Black Nurses Association
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses
Do I need to go to graduate school?
A graduate degree in nursing is not required to continue as a Registered Nurse (RN). However, graduate education is required to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or to become a nurse leader or educator. For non-nursing students interested in a career in nursing, additional education is required. You may consider an advanced baccalaureate or direct entry program depending on your goals.
According to the CDC Foundation, “Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. This work is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases.” Whereas clinicians typically take care of individuals, those working in public health think about and develop interventions to address the health needs of communities. This video from the American Public Health Association (APHA) explains the field of public health further. Public health workers can work in public, private, non-profit, or educational settings.
Types of Positions (*requires an advanced degree)
- Community Health Worker
- Cancer Registrar
- Behavioral Science/Health Educator
- Public Health Researcher
- Epidemiologist*
- Health Services Manager*
- Community Health Director*
- Professor*
- Principal Investigator*
- Biostatistician*
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
- Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program
- Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast
- Lowell Community Health Center
- Eliot Community Health
- Bay Cove Human Services
- Boston Public Health Commission
Hiring Timelines for Healthcare Professions
- 5% received job offers before senior year
- 7% received job offers during fall semester of senior year
- 54% received job offers during spring semester of senior year
- 39% received job offers summer after graduation
- 9% received job offers fall after graduation
Online Resources
- Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)
- Best Public Health Graduate Programs
- Global Health Council
- Public Health Career Guide
- Public Health Online
- APHA | Career Learning Center
- CDC Minority Health, Health Equity Resources
- APHA Health Equity Resources
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
- Society for the Analysis of African American Public Health Issues
- Black Women’s Health Imperative
- Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
- CDC LGBT Health
- CDC Disability and Health Promotion
- Seven Directions: A Center for Indigenous Public Health
Campus Resources
Professional Associations and Organizations
Do I need to go to graduate school?
There are some entry-level positions in public health that do not require a graduate degree, but to advance in the field, a graduate degree is required.
Careers in nutrition and fitness include those in which one is helping others to achieve healthy lives and lifestyles. Professionals who work in these fields need to have strong knowledge of health factors, nutritional facts, and the human body. Some of the key skills required to enter these fields include: communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
Types of Positions (*requires an advanced degree or certification)
- Fitness Manager/Director/General Manager
- Health Coach*
- Nutritionist*
- Registered Dietitian*
- Athletic Trainer*
- Exercise Physiologist*
- Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician*
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
- Boston College Athletics
- Lynx Fitness Club
- Institute for Integrative Nutrition
- Noom Inc
- Sophia Neff Health and Fitness LLC
- The Vitamin Shoppe
Hiring Timelines for Healthcare Professions
- 5% received job offers before senior year
- 7% received job offers during fall semester of senior year
- 54% received job offers during spring semester of senior year
- 39% received job offers summer after graduation
- 9% received job offers fall after graduation
Online Resources
- State Requirements For Nutrition And Dietitian Fields
- American Society for Nutrition Job Board
- FitnessJobs.com
- NutritionJobs.com
- Vault Guide on Dieticians and Nutritionists
- Vault Guide on Fitness and Training
- Career Options in Nutrition and Wellness
- Diversify Dietetics
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Diversity and Inclusion Resources
- Fitness Has A Diversity Problem. Can Apps Democratize The Sector?
- Fly Girl Collective
- Doubling Down on Diversity: The Journey to a More Diverse Field
Campus Resources
Professional Associations
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- American Society for Nutrition
- International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA)
- American Fitness Professionals Association (AFPA)
- Academy of Applied Personal Training Education (AAPTE)
- Physical Activity Council
- National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition (NOBIDAN)
Do I need to go to graduate school?
For Registered Dieticians and Nutritionists, education and licensure requirements vary by state.
Fitness professionals typically need to seek out certification that aligns with their specific area(s) of focus within fitness. In addition, they may decide to pursue a masters degree in exercise science or kinesiology.
Handshake
As you look for opportunities, start with Handshake, our centralized platform where employers post positions for Boston College students. All of the top employers are hiring on Handshake, including many in HNC! You can also find campus recruitment opportunities.
Our guide will help you set up your profile and make the most of your Handshake account.
Featured HNC Employers
Follow these employers and others you like on Handshake to receive email alerts when new jobs and events are posted. Following employers also helps improve your job recommendations.
Eagle Exchange
Eagle Exchange is an interactive virtual platform that fosters connections between students and Boston College alumni. You can use Eagle Exchange to build your professional network, ask career-related questions, find alumni mentors, apply to projects to build skills, and more.
Our guide will help you set up your profile and make the most of your Eagle Exchange account.
Featured HNC Alumni
These alumni (and many more) are excited to connect with you on Eagle Exchange. Take the first step and reach out!
Allison Bourque '08
Director of Nursing/Patient Care & Emergency Services, Boston Children's Hospital
Gabriella Vazquez '16
Physician Assistant, New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center
Lauren DeMarco '08
Clinical Social Worker, Massachusetts General Hospital
Patrick Joseph Arena '14
PhD Candidate, UCLA | Consultant, Aetion
Ian A. Roundtree '12
Resident Physician, Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
Big Interview
Build confidence in your interview skills through free access to Big Interview. You can record yourself answering questions that are tailored to specific industries.
To access: Click on 'Register' in the top right corner. Use your BC email address to create your account.
HNC Question Library
Start practicing mock interviews in hundreds of industries and job titles. Below are a few featured question sets – browse these and more in Big Interview.
Forage
A formal internship is not the only way to gain professional experience. Projects are a great option to boost your resume/portfolio, build skills, and grow your professional network. The Forage platform offers hypothetical projects from top employers that you can complete to learn more about working in a specific field.
HNC Virtual Work Experiences
Check out these bite-sized 5-6 hour virtual work experience programs that give you a genuine career advantage with Fortune 500 companies.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning provides free access to thousands of on-demand courses giving you an opportunity for self-paced learning about topics of interest from industry experts. This is also a great way to develop the skills all employers seek in their entry-level candidates.
Log in with your BC credentials to start exploring.
HNC Linkedin Learning Content
Following are select LinkedIn Learning pathways and courses to help you build professional skills related to healthcare, nursing, and counseling.
Firsthand
Find out what it is like to work within an industry, a company, or a profession. View the career guides for up to date information on a variety of careers as well as interviewing strategies and job search tips.
To access: Register for an account using your Boston College email address.
HNC Career Guides
These career guides provide essential information about key HNC careers and industries, including industry trends, employment and earnings statistics, and what employers look for in job candidates.
In addition to the above platforms, use these resources curated by the Career Center to assist you in your career exploration and preparation.
