Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering applying for college or university, you may have many questions about what is required and what you can expect in your studies. Inuit Tuttarvingat has put together answers to some questions that are frequently asked by future students.

I am a high school student. Why should I choose a career in health?
  1. Challenging and stimulating work environment.
  2. Opportunities for personal and career growth.
  3. A growing demand for health workers and good pay.
  4. Rewarding.
  5. Ability to make a difference.
  6. Desire to help people, and
  7. Desire to help community.
What are some health careers?

Here is a partial list of health and health-related careers:

  • Audiologyi
  • Chiropractici
  • Community healthi
  • Counsellingi
  • Dental-related professionsi
  • Dentistryi
  • Educationi
  • Emergency medical service
  • Environmental healthi
  • Laboratory technology/techniciani
  • Medical records/administrationi
  • Medicinei
  • Midwiferyi
  • Naturopathy
  • Nursingi
  • Nutrition and diet
  • Occupational therapist
  • Optometry/ophthalmologyi
  • Pharmacyi
  • Physical therapyi
  • Psychologyi
  • Social worki
  • Speech pathologyi
  • Technology/technician
  • Workplace health and safetyi
Who can I talk to about careers in health?
  1. Community healthi representatives (CHRs), nurses, dentists, doctors, psychologists, etc.
  2. Guidance counsellors or teachers at your school or community educationi centre.
  3. Math and science teachers.
  4. Your parent(s) or family members, and
  5. Post-secondary counsellors at a nearby college, university, or vocational/training institute.
Are there certain courses I should be taking in high school?
  1. Yes, you should take upper-leveli math, biology, chemistry, physics, English/French, computers, and social studies.
  2. Grades are important and should be 70 per cent or higher.
What if I have graduated but do not have all the required courses to enter a health career program?
  1. There are post-secondary schools throughout Canada that offer access or transition programs that help students get the prerequisites they need, like the sciences and math, to enter health career programs. Many of these programs may be two semesters (one school year) or more.
  2. Community adult learning centres may offer science and math courses for crediti in adult educationi programs for mature students and high school students lacking prerequisites for post-secondary school. Age and other criteria may be a factor for admissions.
Who can I talk to about access programs and adult education programs?

a) Post-secondary school counsellors from your community or urban centre.

b) Guidance counsellors from a post-secondary schools.

c) Adult educationi counsellors from your community or region, and

d) Students you know who have taken an access or adult education program for math or
    science credits.
How do I apply to college and university?

a) Guidance counsellors, student servicesi, or post-secondary school counsellors in your community (or educationi centre or school you attend) can provide information on vocational training centres, colleges, and universities. Many post-secondary schools have an Aboriginal counsellor who offers a variety of services, especially to first-year students. Contact a counsellor at the school you want to attend.

b) Counsellors can help students find the program they are looking for; provide application forms and deadline dates; and ensure students know what to include in their application (a copy of their latest marks, for example).

c) Many post-secondary schools charge a small fee for applications that is usually non-refundable; and,

d) Start researching early. If the Internet is available where you live, it is a great way to choose a post-secondary school. Location and program are important decision factors. All colleges and universities print catalogues (calendars) that explain all their courses. Check your local school or library for these.
What if I am a student with a disability?

Many post-secondary schools have services available for students with special needs (learning disabilities, medical, or health considerations). As a student, you can identify your specific learning needs when you apply. It is strongly recommended that you place a follow-up call to a student servicesi office at the school before beginning classes. Some of the services you can ask for are:

    a) Note taking;

    b) Alternative test and examination arrangements (such as oral exams);

    c) Access to specialized computers and software, tape recorders, transcription of print materials onto tape, computer disk, large print, or Braille; and

    d) Individual counsellingi to develop strategies to succeed with disabilities, access issues, and self-advocacy.
Are there any health careers for students with disabilities?

a) There are many careers in areas of health and medicinei for students with disabilities. In fact, there are not many limits to an individual’s choice of careers.

b) There is one note of caution. Before you apply to a school, check out their facilities for access to students with particular disabilities and consult with student servicesi.
Are there any other criteria required for health careers?

a) Yes. For many health careers, you will be asked to get a medical check-up from your doctor if you enter nursingi, dentistryi, medicinei, and others.

b) Most health career programs may also require health and immunization records, criminal background checks (you may have to pay for this and it can be arranged through most local police stations), and in some instances, up-to-date first aid training.

c) Post-secondary programs explain prerequisites and criteria for admissions in their calendars. Call the facultyi departmenti for more information.
How will I know if I am suited for my health career choice?

Check it out by:

a) Volunteering at a nearby elders home, health centre, or hospital.

b) Talking to your student servicesi about arranging to job shadow — spending a day or several days with a health professional.

c) Talking to doctors, nurses, dentists, or CHRs and asking to volunteer in their centre, clinic, or hospital.

d) Attending health career fairs to get as much information as possible on your chosen career.

e) Taking an online career test, and

f) Searching the Internet for additional health career information.