Careers in the Health Sector
Careers in the Health Sector
Students in the social sciences and liberal arts contribute to the health sector in a variety of ways:
- Front line health, social, and community service work with patients and clients;
- Hospital administration and health care institution administration;
- Public health and community promotion and policy-making;
- Not-for-profit governance and institutional management;
- Health policy analysis and development in government and non-profit settings; and more.
Related Occupational Categories
Whereas exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work, Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles. Here are just a few of the occupation categories that may be relevant to this sector:
Academic Program Connections
As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:
Health & Society Learn More
Health & Society students take a social sciences approach to the study of health, well-being, and the individual’s whole life in its social context. The health focus in this program is much social than physical, although some graduates do move towards front-line health and medical professions, bringing their interdisciplinary analytical insights with them, often becoming health sector leaders.
Aging & Society Learn More
Graduates from the Aging & Society program have an enriched understanding of the complex connections between health and well-being and other social factors across the life course. Whether applying these insights to children and youth or to the experience of elder Canadians, their skills and understanding help to support patients and their families well in the health sector.
Social Work Learn More
Social Workers are well-equipped to help individuals and families navigate the complex institutions, barriers, and challenges associated with the health sector, whether as social workers or in other health-related occupations and professions.
Social Psychology Learn More
Social psychologists tend to have an affinity for the helping professions, as well as for person-focused roles in the health system. Their understanding of psychology, mental health, and well-being in a social context allows graduates to support patients and clients well, and often to make major leadership contributions to the health sector.
