{"id":9052,"date":"2021-08-11T09:39:18","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T13:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=9052"},"modified":"2024-12-16T17:03:18","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T22:03:18","slug":"health-science-career-cluster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/health-science-career-cluster\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Health Science Career Cluster, and Where Might You Fit In?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is no secret that healthcare is the largest and fastest-growing industry. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes, we need health science more than ever before. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> (BLS) anticipates employment in health-related professions to grow 15 percent<\/strong> by 2029, about 2.4 million new jobs total. For this reason, many students today are exploring the health science career cluster.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, you may be considering your different options. One unique path to take is within the health science career cluster. This career and education pathway provides students with the ability to learn about disease, injury, medicine, nutrition, technology, wellness, and many other subjects that fall within the health science field. The opportunities are expansive, with jobs in a variety of workplace settings and specialties. Through a health science major, you could choose to become a laboratory technician, medical coder, environmental health scientist, health educator, and more.<\/p>\n

What is the health science career cluster? Why does it matter? Where might you fit in? Read on, as we break down what you need to know about entering this rewarding cluster of careers.<\/p>\n

Defining the Health Science Career Cluster<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before you pursue this field of study, you will want to have a basic understanding of health science. Unlike general science courses you studied in high school\u2014like chemistry, biology, or physics\u2014health science is directly related to health and medicine. Essentially, health science<\/a> is an area of study that focuses on natural and behavioral sciences, as they relate to medicine and our greater healthcare system.<\/p>\n

What is the health science career cluster, then? The health science career cluster is used to describe a group of occupations that require similar skills within the health science field. It also refers to an educational area focused on teaching students how to be healthcare professionals. The health science career cluster was once known as vocational education, which is still used in some educational programs.<\/p>\n

Over the past several years, however, the term \u201cvocational\u201d has been replaced with \u201ccareer and technical education\u201d (CTE), as technology became a larger part of our lives and of skill-dependent careers. While health science careers can still be considered vocations, the career cluster is part of CTE.<\/p>\n

Why is the Health Science Career Cluster So Important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Health science education is important because many of the roles within this field are, quite literally, a matter of life and death. It is critical to have properly trained healthcare workers who can care for patients, conduct impactful research, and train the next generation of medical professionals.<\/p>\n

Some of the professionals to emerge from health science related studies include doctors and nurse practitioners, but they only make up a small percentage of this career cluster. Health science also encompasses unique career paths<\/a> within environmental health, public health, medical research, nutrition, and other critical fields.<\/p>\n

What else can be done with a health science degree<\/a>? Read on, as we explore some of the prospective health science careers that you may be interested in pursuing.<\/p>\n

Careers within the Health Science Career Cluster<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There is a wide variety of career choices for those interested in studying health science. Some of these roles include, but are certainly not limited to, the following:<\/p>\n