Why You Should Work in Health Care Public Relations –Anna Martinelli

In economically trying times, it is essential that college graduates negotiate the workforce with a certain amount of savvy. This includes, first of all, a solid understanding of the best and worst aspects of one’s potential career paths. The purpose of this article is to explore the aspects of health care public relations that make the field particularly attractive to those that have just entered the job market.

First, health care public relations professionals will enjoy greater job security than most in the face of future economic downturns. In fact, career opportunities in health care public relations are expected to increase by a steady 21%-35% through 2012. This is because our aging population and advances in medical technology will provoke growth in the health care industry and a corresponding spike in the need for health care public relations. The more activity there is in the health care world, especially in terms of patient care and drug development, the more demand there is for the communication services of health care public relations specialists.

Second, Health Care Public Relations professionals often report a high degree of satisfaction with their work/life balance. Although health care public relations professionals’ hours are variable like those in any other client-centric industry, they tend to fluctuate around a reasonable average of 40 hours/week. Furthermore, the corporate environments of health care public relations firms tend to be exciting and fun, as well as professional. By now, all the right people have figured out burnout is to be avoided at all costs, for it severely compromises one’s ability to muster the kind of creativity that is required in the Health Care Public Relations industry.

Another nice thing about health care public relations is that many individuals can work their way up to high-level positions without obtaining a graduate educational degree. Most people find that they are given an incredible amount of responsibility right off the bat and they learn everything they need to know on the job. Given that advanced degrees are so costly, in terms of time and money, health care public relations specialists are often thrilled to find that they can garner prestige and influence without having to first make an investment in graduate-level education.

Finally a career in health care public relations is full of learning opportunities. Health care public relations specialists are constantly reading health-related news and consulting with doctors, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies. Those who are interested in medicine but find that they are too squeamish for the ER often find that health care public relations is a great way to gain expertise and influence in the field.

As someone who is passionate about health care, fun, life-long learning and leadership, I’m glad I took a look at health care public relations.