Part of the school's mission is “to educate current and future leaders, innovators, and problem solvers across Texas, the nation, and the world.” As McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics works toward fulfilling this mission, the school also aims to provide our students and alumni with resources for building a successful career in the field of informatics.
In pursuit of that goal, our school works to assist certificate, masters, and doctoral students with preparing for productive and meaningful careers. We recognize there are needs specific to graduate students and we provide resources to help meet the unique needs of individuals in this industry.
The following resources and links provided on this page are intended to help students explore topics surrounding the career development of graduate learners.
In order for your resume to stand out from the crowd, it must be a well-crafted document that concisely highlights why you are the right candidate for an interview (and ultimately the job). Remember that your resume should be a “work in progress” that builds over time as you continue to collect new experience and skills.
Informatics Resume 101 Video Series featuring Assistant Professor Kimberly Smith, PhD, MT(ASCP) |
VIDEO |
Resume Checklist created by Assistant Professor Kimberly Smith, PhD, MT(ASCP) |
DOCX |
Resume Tips from Vice Dean for Education and Professor Susan H Fenton, PhD, RHIA, ACHIP, FAHIMA, FAMIA |
POWERPOINT PDF |
HIMSS Resume and Cover Letter Tips |
WEB |
AMIA Resume Writing Tips |
WEB |
Many of these job boards require account registration to gain access but it is often free of charge. The job boards of large, professional organizations also provide career insights for different occupations, interviewing tips, resume writing tips, networking tips, and much more.
The goal when applying for a job is not to immediately get hired – the goal is to be asked to interview. At that point, you can showcase why you are the right candidate for the position. As you, the applicant, and the employer exchange information, they can find out more about your knowledge, skills, and personality traits to make sure you are a fit for the qualifications of the position.
Come prepared by researching the company. You must express knowledge of the company during the interview to demonstrate your interest in the role. This might include knowing about the organization’s history, competitors, the products or services offered, the number of employees, financial history, or more. This information can be found online via news stories, the organization’s website or LinkedIn profile, or through connections in your professional network.
In the diverse industry of informatics, there are countless questions you might be asked. Be prepared for anything! If you need information on common informatics interview questions, visit the Health Analytics Insights blog for helpful tips.
Come with a few questions to ask the interviewer as well. This demonstrates that you are actively participating in the interview process and want to be sure the role is a good personal fit. But be careful; you don’t want to ask a question the interviewer already addressed.
The following is a list of potential questions you might ask during the interview.
Dressing appropriately for a job interview (be it in-person or virtual) is important as you want to make a great first impression. This often means dressing in a more conservative style than your usual attire but one step above what normal work day dress would look like. However, if the office has a unique environment, make sure you are aware beforehand.
You want to look neat and kempt and your patterns or color palette should not be too wild. Dress shoes are best and you should avoid uncomfortable shoes or heels as the interview might involve a long walk or tour of the office. Keep your jewelry, hair, and nails simple. You should also avoid heavily scented perfumes or colognes.
Interview clothing attire may include:
HIMSS Career Pathways Toolkit
This toolkit is the perfect way to assist any current, or future, professional to map out their career progression in today’s healthcare IT arena. It includes 40 updated and in-demand positions within the healthcare IT industry along with professional pathways across four career levels – entry through expert. It also features comprehensive visualizations on a variety of roles that may be achieved within a given career path.
LinkedIn Learning
Gain access to up-to-date content and expert led courses on LinkedIn Learning. Learn business, creative, technology, and other necessary professional skills through this service. Completed courses appear on your LinkedIn profile for your professional community to see. Instructions on how to get started are available here.
Mentorship
We encourage SBMI students to sign up for the UTHealth Alumni Community to find a mentor. Many Alumni are active on this platform and are willing to serve as a mentor to help students or other alums grow professional. On this platform, you can find a mentor by job function, industry, company, or based on how you are matched given your LinkedIn profile similarities.
McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics Career Day
Each spring, McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics hosts an annual Career Day. During the live event, students are provided guidance and tips as they prepare for the professional field of informatics. We help students refine a resume, perfect networking skills, prepare for an interview, craft a LinkedIn profile, and more. Career Day is usually in April so please visit the website for more information.
Updated: 05/03/2024
