Health Services Administration College to Career Major Map
The health services administration college to career major map gives options so you can select what best matches your interests and goals. Start thinking about your future now and build a path throughout your MSUM career that will prepare you for success.
Printable version of Health Services Administration College to Career Major Map [PDF]
Academics
- Start taking LASC courses as well as foundational and core Health Services Administration Sciences courses.
- Need a little help in your classes? Look into tutoring with the Academic Success Center.
Get Relevant Experience
- Join a major or interest specific student organization.
- Participate in Student Life Pathways to continue growing your skills/knowledge outside of the classroom. We recommend starting with the Community Life Pathway.
Connect to the Community & World
- Volunteer on or off-campus with different community organizations such as Sanford Health or Essentia Health or one of the area's senior living communities in Fargo-Moorhead. For students living outside of the area, check to see what volunteer opportunities are available at local hospitals or long-term care facilities.
Understand Your Career
- Explore your interests, skills, and values and learn about the career readiness competencies by taking the FOCUS 2, an online assessment free for all MSUM students.
- Schedule an appointment with the Career Development Center to review your FOCUS 2 results and to begin building your resume.
Academics
- Take a deeper dive into the discipline of Health Services Administration and begin considering a minor such as Business Administration or Gerontology and/or a certificate in Healthcare Leadership, Quality & Patient Safety, or Long-Term Care Administration.
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Coach to discuss how to connect your academics to your future career.
Get Relevant Experience
- Find an on-campus, part-time, or fulltime job in your community. Use sites such as Dragon Jobs powered by Handshake, LinkedIn, Indeed, or Discover Health Admin to see open positions.
- Continue working on your Student Life Pathways. Try working your way through the Personal Wellness and the Equity and Inclusion paths.
Connect to the Community
- Join LinkedIn to begin building your professional network and online presence. Think of your profile as a virtual resume and make sure to update it regularly to reflect new jobs, research, coursework, volunteering, involvement, and skills.
Understand Your Career
- Start researching potential career paths on O*Net or the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Here, you will be able to find valuable information such as typical tasks associated with the profession, skills, and knowledge needed, education and licensures needed, wages and employment trends, professional organizations, and related occupations. We suggest you search for careers such as Medical & Health Services Manager.
Academics
- In addition to working with your advisor to get your access code, schedule an appointment with them to ensure you're on track for graduation.
- Take inventory of your professional goals and decide if your future will need to include graduate school. If so, take the necessary exams and keep track of application timelines.
Get Relevant Experience
- Begin your leadership journey running for an officer position in a student organization, or get involved with a local community organization.
- We suggest focusing on the Professional Success and Contribution and Influence Student Life Pathways. These will help connect you to potential employers and develop skills for success post graduation.
Connect to the Community & World
- Consider a study abroad experience to elevate your personal and professional growth while developing the cultural sensitivity required to provide highly efficient patient-centered care In a study tour group, you’ll get a unique opportunity to learn about healthcare delivery in international healthcare settings.
Understand Your Career
- Attend professional development related events on-campus, and connect with faculty to learn more about the field and gain insights on how to be successful in your job search.
- Find an internship with a local or regional organization to learn the ins and outs of your chosen career. Before applying, schedule an appointment with the Career Development Center to help you prepare.
Academics
- Participate in the Student Academic Conference or other national and international conferences to showcase research, connect with employers, and to boost your resume.
- Ensure you submit your application for graduation on time.
Get Relevant Experience
- Assess what experiences or skills are areas of growth for you and fill in gaps with volunteering, organizations, or part-time employment.
- Finish up your pathways and be sure to add your accomplishments to your LinkedIn and resume.
Connect to the Community & World
- Join professional organizations such as the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management or the American College of Healthcare Executives to gain access to research, continuing education opportunities, job boards, and message boards. Make sure to join prior to graduation to receive the discounted student rate (when applicable).
- Get involved in your local Chamber of Commerce or Young Professionals Network to expand your professional network.
Understand Your Career
- Network relentlessly! Attend the spring Career Fairs to get connected to employers looking to hire soon-to-be grads. Check Dragon Central for more information.
- Schedule appointments with a Career Coach to go over your professional documents and to prepare for upcoming interviews. And remember, once a dragon always a dragon. You have access to these services for life.
What skills do I need to be successful in Health Services Administration?
- decision making
- detail orientated
- interpersonal
- analytical thinking
- communication
- critical-thinking
- managerial
- time-management
Thankfully, through coursework, on-campus involvement, part-time employment, and internships, you will be prepared for life post-graduation.
What can I do with a Health Services Administration degree?
A degree in health services administration can take your career in many directions. Most students choose to enter the workforce right after graduation while others continue their education after a few years in the workforce. Our students are equipped with a strong foundation for their career. Check out the Health Services Administration Careers & Outcomes page to learn more about what careers you can have with a health services administration degree.