Healthcare remains one of the strongest job growth fields in the country. Even at the worst of the recession, while other industries lost traction, jobs in healthcare showed steady gains. And these positions weren’t just for doctors. In fact, there were more than 150,000 jobs for healthcare support workers in Connecticut and Massachusetts in 2013.

But how do you get your foot in the door for a healthcare career? It’s not nearly as difficult as you might imagine. You will need a strong desire to help people and a great attitude. You’ll also want some great career training. Here are 4 steps you can take that can help you get started toward a healthcare career.

Think about your own interests. Before you set out on your healthcare career path, think about the kind of work you might want to do. Do you want to have direct patient interaction, like a medical assistant or a practical nurse might?

Talk to people from the profession. If you know people who work in healthcare, ask them what they do and where they do it. The best resource for finding out what a job is like is from the people who are doing it right now, so find them and ask lots of questions.

Research schools that offer healthcare career training. If you want to break into the healthcare profession, you’ll want to first get some career training so you can be an employee that will make your employer proud. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are plenty of jobs out there, but “jobseekers will probably need training beyond a high school diploma, particularly if they want a job with high pay.” For the healthcare profession, choose a program that offers plenty of hands-on training, taught by professionals from the field. Externships and other opportunities to get real world experience while you’re still learning will also give you a competitive edge when it comes time to go looking for that first healthcare job.

Start networking now. It’s never too early to begin networking. Everyone you meet could have a connection to someone in the healthcare field. Once you’re in school, make sure to use the resources available to you there, like career services, and to tell people you’re getting to know in the field that you’ll be wanting a job –real soon.

If you’re interested in entering a field that has lots of opportunities, check out the healthcare training programs at Porter and Chester Institute. We have nine locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts. One might be right for you and your future in healthcare.