NYS AHEC SYSTEM
Dept. of Family Medicine
University at Buffalo
462 Grider Street
Buffalo, NY 14215
(716) 898-4699
ahec-info@buffalo.edu

Health Career Guide

The NYS AHEC System- Careers in Health Care has arrived! Click here to download the guide.

In keeping with the key strategies for recruiting and retaining health professionals to practice in underserved communities, the New York State AHEC System will encourage local youth to pursue careers in health care. To aid with this we have listed below helpful links to a variety of web sites that offer programs for the development of health professionals and aid them in making a decision to pursue a health career.

High School Timetable
Academic Preparation
Study/Test Sites
Career Exploration
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Loan Repayment Programs
Armed Services Health Professions
New York State Colleges, Universities and Community Colleges
State University at New York Web Sites
Information about Other New York State Colleges and Universities
Health Career Decision Making
Information About Specific Health Careers
Additional Health Career Resources
Career Preparation
Licensing Information

High School Timetable
It is never too early to begin planning your career and exploring all the options available. As you begin your search, be sure to contact your AHEC for counseling, enrichment opportunities, and other resources for future health professional. Keep in mind that colleges look for challenging coursework, a strong GPA, and involvement in extracurricular activities, such as volunteer work and sports.

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Academic Preparation
Advanced Placement Program
http://www.collegeboard.com/ap/students/prep/index.html

Collegeboard.com makes it easier to have a successful experience preparing for and applying to college
http://www.collegeboard.com

Graduate Record Examinations
http://www.gre.org/

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm

NYMentor™ - advanced online applications to get into college and fund your education
http://www.nymentor.edu

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT)
http://www.collegeboard.com/psat/student/html/sample.html

Preparing for college - useful information about your academic, college, and career options
http://www.collegeboard.com/plan

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
http://www.collegeboard.com/sat/html/satform.html

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Study/Test Sites
Dental Admission Testing Program
http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/index.asp

EssayPrep – Writing an effective essay
http://www.collegeboard.com/article/0,,5-26-0-9406,00.html

Kaplan Educational Centers
http://www.kaplan.com

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) Practice Site
http://www.testprepreview.com/mcat_practice.htm

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Career Exploration
CareerZone – A product of the New York State Department of Labor
http://www.nycareerzone.org/

Explore Health Careers- A free online health careers resource for students and advisors
http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/

Healthcare Career Resource Center- This medical career finder can help you identify health care occupations that may be right for you
http://library.thinkquest.org/15569/

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Financial Aid and Scholarships
College Loan Corporation – Financial aid loans and financial aid process
http://www.collegeloancorp.com/

Educaid - Complete source for information on college admissions, scholarships and financial aid. Offers in-depth answers, online applications and fast approvals for qualified borrowers
http://www.educaid.com/


FAFSA – The place to start, complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm

FastWeb – Free search of database. Fill out your profile and see which scholarships you may be eligible for
http://www.fastweb.com/

Federal Student Aid – US Department of Education, the largest source of student aid in America
http://www.ed.gov/students/college/aid/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln

FinAid – Free scholarship search. Information on all types of financial aid
http://www.finaid.org

Mapping Your Future: Selecting a School - find out what characteristics to look for when choosing a college or training program and how to find the best school for you
http://www.mapping-your-future.org

Scholarships.com - Free college scholarship search and financial aid resources
http://www.scholarship.com/

The College Board Fund Finder – Financial aid information and search
http://www.collegeboard.com/pay/

The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
http://www.hesc.com/bulletin.nsf/

The Student Guide - The Student Guide is the most comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. Grants, loans, and work-study are the three major forms of student financial aid available through the Department's Federal Student Aid Office
http://www.ed.gov/students/landing.jhtml?src=pn

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Loan Repayment Programs
Indian Health Service - Provides for the repayment of health professions educational loans for a two-year service obligation
http://www.ihs.gov

National Health Services Corps - The NHSC has a number of exciting opportunities available for health professions students
http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/

National Institute of Health - NIH offers repayment programs to intramural (NIH employees) and extramural (grantees and awardees) investigators
http://www.lrp.nih.gov/

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Armed Services Health Professions
Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program
http://www.airforce.com/education/healthcare/moneyForSchool.php

US Army Medical Corps: Explore the many health related careers with the US Army
http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/index.jsp

Medical Department Accessions Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program: The US Navy health professions scholarship program
http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/pages/nmetc/


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New York State Colleges, Universities and Community Colleges
Information on NYS colleges, universities, and community colleges - Shows all degree-granting institutions in New York State (select: ORIS Institution File 2002)
http://www.highered.nysed.gov/oris/colleges.htm

University of the State of New York State Education Department, Office of Higher Education
http://www.highered.nysed.gov/

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State University at New York Web Sites
University at Albany – http://www.albany.edu

Binghamton University – http://binghamton.edu

University at Stony Brook – http://sunysb.edu

University at Buffalo (UB) – http://www.buffalo.edu

Empire State College – http://www.esc.edu

Maritime College, Fort Schuyler – http://www.sunymaritime.edu

Purchase College – http://www.purchase.edu

State University College at Brockport – http://www.brockport.edu

State University College at Buffalo – http://www.buffalostate.edu

State University College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill - http://www.cobleskill.edu

State University College at Cortland – http://www.cortland.edu

State University College at Geneseo – http://www.geneseo.edu

State University Jamestown Community College- http://www.sunyjcc.edu

State University College at Oneonta – http://www.oneonta.edu

State University College at Oswego – http://www.oswego.edu

State University College at Plattsburgh – http://www.plattsburgh.edu

State University College at Potsdam – http://www.potsdam.edu

State University College at New Paltz – http://www.newpaltz.edu/

State University College at Farmingdale – http://www.farmingdale.edu

Upstate Medical University – http://www.upstate.edu/

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Information about Other New York State Colleges and Universities
NYMentor™ - Search through the colleges and universities in New York State to find the one that best suits your needs
http://www.nymentor.edu/Select/

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Health Career Decision Making
Association of American Medical Colleges – “Considering a Career in Medicine” Find out what doctors do and how to prepare for a career in medicine
http://www.aamc.org/students/considering/start.htm

Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/home.htm

Jobstar Guide to Health Careers
http://jobstar.org/tools/career/spec-car.cfm

The Princeton Review – Career Information
http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/

US Department of Labor – Choosing a Career
http://www.careervoyages.gov/

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Information About Specific Health Careers
CareerZone – A product of the New York State Department of Labor
http://www.nycareerzone.org/

ChooseNursing.com
http://www.choosenursing.com/

Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing – A list of accredited nursing schools in the US (Select Education-Schools of Nursing)
http://www.nursingsociety.org

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
http://www.aacp.org/

AAMC Aspiring Docs
http://www.aspiringdocs.org
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Additional Health Career Resources
American Dental Association
http://www.ada.org/

American Medical Student Association
http://www.amsa.org/

Health Career Resource Center
http://library.thinkquest.org/15569/?tqskip1=1&tqtime=0522

Mapping Your Future: Selecting a Career - Find out how to choose a career and how to reach your career goal. You can also pick up useful tips on job hunting, resume writing, and job interviewing techniques
http://www.mapping-your-future.org/planning/

New York State Department of Labor CareerZone
http://www.nycareerzone.org

Preparing for a Career in Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Veterinary, and Chiropractic Medicine
http://prehealth.buffalo.edu/

The National Students’ Nurses Association
http://www.nsna.org/

The Upstate Health Workforce Center – Information on career options, education and training and jobs
http://www.healthjobsny.com/

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/

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Career Preparation
Jobweb
http://www.jobweb.com/

Career toolbox which covers creating a resume, building a cover letter and helpful tips on acing an interview
http://www.myfuture.com/t2_ctoolbox.html

Mapping your future
http://www.mapping-your-future.org/

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Licensing Information
Acupuncturist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/acupun.htm

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/alcsubco.asp

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Prevention Professional/Specialist:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/alcsubpp.asp

Certified Nurse Aide:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/certnurs.asp

Chiropractor:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/chiro.htm

Dental Assistant
http://www.op.nysed.gov/dentasst.htm

Dental Hygienist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/dentdhlic.htm

Dentist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/dent.htm

Dietitian/Nutritionist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/diet.htm

Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/emergenc.asp

Hearing Aid Dispenser:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/hearaid.asp

Licensed Practical Nurse:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/nurse.htm

Massage Therapist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/massage.htm

Midwife:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/midwif.htm

Nurse Practitioner:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/np.htm

Nursing Home Administrator:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/nursingh.asp

Occupational Therapist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/ot.htm

Occupational Therapist Assistant:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/octherpa.asp

Ophthalmic Dispenser:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/od.htm

Optometrist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/optom.htm

Pharmacist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/pharm.htm

Physical Therapist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/pt.htm

Physical Therapist Assistant:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/physicalta.asp

Physician:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/med.htm

Physician Assistant:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/rpa.htm

Podiatrist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/pod.htm

Registered Professional Nurse:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/nurse.htm

Respiratory Therapist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/rt.htm

Respiratory Therapy Technician:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/respthertech.asp

Specialist Assistant in Orthopedics:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/sporthop.asp

Specialist Assistant in Radiology:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/spradiol.asp

Specialist Assistant in Urology:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/spurolog.asp

Speech-Language Pathologist/Audiologist:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/speech.htm

Ultrasonic Testing Technician:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/ultrasonic.asp

Veterinarian:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/vet.htm

Veterinary Technician:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata/olcny/vettech.asp

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