>> I took a traditional route.
I majored in Health Administration.
I did my Master's work in the field, but that is not necessarily a requirement.
You could start off in a business or a clinical field, and still make your way.
In fact, there are many clinicians in the health care field that make their way
out of providing direct clinical care, and move into the administrative side of the industry.
So that is certainly an option as well.
I would think the best advice that I could give a student is to be aware of those windows
of opportunity that pop up during the course of your academic career and beyond,
and to be mindful of when they occur, and take advantage of them,
even if it takes you out of your comfort zone.
I had the opportunity to do an independent study with one of my college professors here
at Penn State, and at first, I was reluctant, to be very honest with you.
And then I thought to myself, well, maybe this is a good opportunity for me.
Well, that opportunity led me to be connected with the graduate program in Chicago,
which really helped to spawn my career.
So really watching out for those windows of opportunity, networking well,
keeping your contacts up, and just making yourself available, accessible,
and good things will happen as a result.