Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Healthcare

About this course: This course aims to help high school students, recent graduates, and those considering career transitions explore health care career options and learn strategies for entry into the health care workforce and health related fields. There are lots of amazing job opportunities in medicine and healthcare! Join us, as we share the strategies and secrets for getting those jobs. This course will introduce you to healthcare professions, help you map a path towards a health career, and impart skills relevant for any career, including: articulating your personal story, resume and cover letter writing, job search, interviewing, professional networking, and professional communications. In this course, you will hear the personal stories, experiences, and journeys of dozens of people who work in health related careers. You will also have the opportunity to connect with a supportive community of students, mentors, and health care professionals to explore your interests, find resources, and discover exciting new opportunities. The course features more than 50 different guests and lecturers, including Northwestern University faculty from Feinberg School of Medicine; the Kellogg School of Management; the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications; the School of Professional Studies; Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences; and the School of Communication. The course is also a resource and tool through which educators, parents, career counselors and others can support students’ career readiness and professional advancement.

Created by:  Northwestern University

• Taught by:  Dr. Melissa A. Simon, George H. Gardner Professor of Clinical Gynecology and Vice Chair of Clinical Research

  Feinberg School of Medicine

Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.2 stars Average User Rating 4.2See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

Help from your peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.

Northwestern University Northwestern University is a private research and teaching university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, and Doha, Qatar. Northwestern combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Why Health?
Careers where you can make a difference in people's lives


3 videos, 7 readings expand

1. Reading: Syllabus
2. Reading: Schools and Institutions Page
3. Reading: Grading and Logistics
4. Reading: Meet Your Instructors
5. Video: Health Means...
6. Video: Health Careers, Backstage Pass
7. Video: The Balancing Act: Values & Vocational Courage
8. Reading: Toolkit (Download)
9. Reading: Resource Toolkit
10. Reading: Medical Glossary

Graded: Quest: What Does Health Mean to You?
Graded: Quest: Health Careers Scavenger Hunt

WEEK 2


Day in the Life Snapshots
Healthcare professionals briefly describe what they do and introduce medical terminology


14 videos expand

1. Video: Day in the Life: Clinical Part 1
2. Video: Day in the Life: Clinical Part 2
3. Video: Day in the Life: Clinical Part 3
4. Video: Day in the Life: Clinical Part 4
5. Video: Day in the Life: Clinical Part 5
6. Video: Day in the Life: STEM Part 1
7. Video: Day in the Life: STEM Part 2
8. Video: Day in the Life: Leadership
9. Video: Day in the Life: Policy
10. Video: Day in the Life: Public Health & Bioinformatics
11. Video: Day in the Life: Military and Industry
12. Video: Day in the Life: Community Part 1
13. Video: Day in the Life: Community Part 2
14. Video: Day in the Life: Community Part 3

WEEK 3


Keeping it Real - Healthcare Career Journeys
Personal stories & career journeys of health professionals and students


6 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Video: Introduction to Keeping it Real
2. Video: Former Gang Member's Path to a Healthcare Career
3. Video: Challenges, Bumps in the Road, and Opportunities
4. Video: Even Top Ranking Leaders Can Have Non-Linear Career Trajectories
5. Video: Opportunities That Present Themselves
6. Video: Passion for Social Justice
7. Practice Quiz: Start on your Career Portfolio
8. Reading: Toolkit (Download)

Graded: Quest: Strengths
Graded: Quest: Career Journeys

WEEK 4


Personal Story
Packaging your personal story to increase your professional opportunities


2 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Video: What is Your Story?
2. Video: Students at Various Points in Their Careers
3. Peer Review: Quest: Write an Elevator Pitch Part 2
4. Practice Quiz: Career Portfolio Check-In
5. Reading: Toolkit (Download)

Graded: Quest: Write an Elevator Pitch

WEEK 5


Professional Networking
How to use social networks - everyone you know - to find opportunities


1 video, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Video: Who is in Your Network?
2. Peer Review: Quest: Using Your Social Networks
3. Practice Quiz: Career Portfolio Check-In
4. Reading: Toolkit (Download)

WEEK 6


Resume
Nuts and bolts of resume writing


1 video, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Video: How Do You Write a Good Resume?
2. Practice Quiz: Career Portfolio Check-In
3. Reading: Toolkit (Download)

Graded: Quest: Resume
Graded: Quest: Writing Your Resume

WEEK 7


Cover Letter
Nuts and bolts of a cover letter


1 video, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Video: How Do You Write a Cover Letter?
2. Practice Quiz: Career Portfolio Check-In
3. Reading: Toolkit (Download)

Graded: Quest: Cover Letter
Graded: Quest: Writing Your Cover Letter

WEEK 8


Interviews
Communication skills and presence to stand out in an interview


1 video, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Video: How Do You Nail an Interview?
2. Practice Quiz: Career Portfolio Check-In
3. Reading: Toolkit (Download)

Graded: Quest: Preparing for an Interview
Graded: Quest: Prepare Your Own Responses to Common Interview Questions

WEEK 9


Supplementary Topics
Additional Career 911 topics for success in entering a health career


10 videos, 1 reading, 2 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: Why is Your Online Presence Important?
2. Video: How Will You Share Your Story?
3. Video: The Gift of Influence
4. Video: Mindfulness as a Strategy
5. Video: What Educational Credentials Do Employers Look For?
6. Video: How Do You Finance Your Education?
7. Video: How Can You Thrive in Diverse Environments?
8. Video: Pursuing a Global Health Career
9. Video: Keep Going!
10. Video: Most Memorable Moments
11. Practice Quiz: Plan Your Next Steps
12. Practice Quiz: Reflection
13. Reading: Toolkit (Download)