Is your teen eyeing a healthcare career? Good for them! It’s one of the smartest career paths they can take right now.

Healthcare has always been in demand and always will be, plus it’s a stable, well-paying, and highly respected career. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average job growth across most healthcare roles through at least 2033. Mind you, that’s not limited to doctors and nurses: medical assistants, surgical technologists, diagnostic imaging pros, and more are seeing consistent demand, too.

So, if your kid’s been considering a career in healthcare, the best thing you could possibly do is encourage and support them in their decision. Here’s exactly how you can do that.

Listen First, Then Ask Smart Questions

You might be tempted to steer your teen toward what you think makes the most sense (e.g. “You want to be a doctor, right?”). But please, try holding back. Instead, let your teen talk about why they’re drawn to healthcare. Maybe it’s the science. Maybe it’s the idea of helping people in a real, tangible way. Or maybe they just watched Grey’s Anatomy once and got hooked.

Whatever it is, once they open up, you can help them think critically without pushing your own assumptions. You can do this by asking questions like:

  • “What kind of patients or settings do you see yourself working with?”
  • “Do you want something hands-on or more behind-the-scenes?”
  • “Are you more into fast-paced environments or long-term care?”

Let your kid take time thinking about these things and once they have their answers ready, it should help narrow down possible paths (faster than any aptitude test!).

Introduce Career Options Beyond the “Big Two”

Many, if not most, teens only hear about doctors and nurses. But the healthcare world is massive and includes everything from phlebotomists and radiologic techs to public health analysts and physical therapy assistants. For instance, if your teen wants to get into the field fast and work directly with patients, becoming a medical assistant is a strong, accessible option.

Medical assistants often handle both clinical and administrative work, so it’s ideal for someone who likes variety. Programs like Unitech’s Medical Assistant Program offer a practical path post-high school, and many graduates can start working in less than a year. It’s a great way to test the waters, gain experience, and even decide later whether to move into more advanced roles.

Encourage Job Shadowing

There’s no need to overcomplicate this. A single afternoon spent shadowing a family friend who works at a clinic, dental office, or physical therapy practice can give your teen clarity you couldn’t replicate with a 50-slide career presentation.

What if you don’t know anyone in healthcare directly? Ask around in your extended circle. Also, schools often have health science teachers who know local professionals willing to host a student for a few hours.

Better yet, some hospitals and clinics offer structured teen volunteer programs. These can be invaluable because they let teens get comfortable in clinical settings, observe workflows, and start building confidence early.

Explore Training Pathways That Align with Their Goals and Timeline

College is just one route. Many healthcare careers begin with certificate or diploma programs that are faster, cheaper, and focused on practical skills. Again, medical assisting is a great example: ideal for students who want to enter the workforce quickly but keep options open for advancement. Others might be drawn to licensed vocational nursing (LVN), surgical tech programs, or even health IT tracks.

If your teen is thinking long-term but doesn’t want to commit immediately to med school, that’s fine too. Some students begin in an allied health role, work in the field, then pursue advanced degrees later, once they’ve figured out their focus (and how to pay for it).

Help Them Build a Realistic Picture of Work-Life Balance and Income

Finally, since life is more than work, make sure you also talk to your teen about work-life balance. Money is important, of course, which is why your kid may be drawn to six-figure roles. But a career in healthcare is not just about money. Your teen should be aware of the trade-offs between years of schooling, financial return, job stress, and scheduling flexibility.

A radiologic technologist, for instance, can earn solid pay with a two-year degree. A pediatrician may love their work, but spend over a decade in training with debt piling up along the way.

This isn’t to discourage at all, it’s about giving them all the pieces. Let them weigh passion with practicality. Teens are smarter about this than people give them credit for (especially when they feel ownership over the choice).