Medicine is an incredible field, one that gives you the chance to save lives and leave a lasting impact on your patients. But it’s also a highly social field, one that many introverts may be drawn to but hesitant to pursue. The thought of having to sit face-to-face with both patients and coworker’s day-in, day-out could drive the introverts into a different field despite their passion. Well, there’s good news for you. Introverts can enjoy a career in medicine that still gives them some much-needed alone time.
If you’re already in the field, then advancing your education through a graduate program can put you on the track toward a supervisory or administrative position. This takes you off the floor and into a higher role that involves overseeing healthcare practices and improving care models. Earning this degree can be done while you work, and it’s easily financed through a student loan. Private student loans for graduate degrees are more flexible than undergrad funding, and they are designed to work for a professional’s income and lifestyle. You can shop for a student loan with low interest rates and explore options online for free. For now, let’s jump into some potential careers you may pursue.
Lab Technician
A clinical lab technician isn’t in the public eye, but it performs life-saving tests that support doctors’ diagnoses. A degree in biology or pathology will prepare you to work in a lab and lead a fulfilling career in medicine with minimal human contact. If you’re a night owl, there’s even opportunities to work virtually alone overnight in 24-hour laboratories.
Healthcare Information Technology Specialist
Have a passion for computers? Then build up your programming skills and look for jobs in the field of healthcare IT. From protecting patient data with intensive cybersecurity platforms to building medical record software and virtual healthcare apps, there’s no shortage of opportunity for someone with the right skill set. The best part is that you don’t need an extensive degree or even a degree in medicine to find your first job. Consider an intensive programming boot camp or an undergrad in computer science or information technology. You’ll be well on your way toward a career in medicine that keeps you at a desk with your headphones on rather than on the front lines.
Healthcare Administrator
A graduate degree will prepare you to oversee the budget, operations and planning of a variety of healthcare facilities. You could choose to work somewhere small, like a nursing home, or apply for positions at hospitals and medical clinics. There are even corporate healthcare jobs that need qualified administrators to guide decision-making. Strong leadership skills are a must, but you’ll spend less time working with the public and be isolated to a relatively close team of colleagues.
Radiologist
A radiologist conducts X-rays, MRIs, CAT scans and similar procedures on patients. While they will come in contact with others, their role is generally hands-off as they operate machinery and make diagnoses. Radiologists need a bachelor’s, medical graduate degree and must complete an additional four-year residency in their discipline. It takes hard work to get there, but if you’ve always wanted to work directly in medicine but not be as hands-on as many careers demand, this could be the perfect pathway for you.