In this Article
By: Maddie Cohen
Professional insights: Anne Neu
Think of it this way: healthcare administrators are the engine that keeps medical facilities running. While doctors, nurses and other providers focus on patient care, administrators spend their days navigating behind-the-scenes operations.
Yet healthcare administration roles are competitive—and whether you’re a student entering the field or an established professional, networking matters. Building connections can help aspiring healthcare administrators shape their careers and stay current in a field with constantly changing budgets and regulations.
Why healthcare administration is on the rise
The world is changing rapidly, and the demand for skilled healthcare administrators is higher than ever. As technology advances and populations age, medical facilities are searching for professionals who can manage the business and operational side of healthcare.
Healthcare administrators are typically responsible for:
Many healthcare administrators have backgrounds in business, healthcare or public health, and they often hold advanced degrees like a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA). These degree programs teach students about financial management, healthcare regulations and strategic planning—introducing the skills future administrators need to excel in the fast-paced healthcare industry.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare administrator roles are projected to increase by 23.2% through 2034, faster than the average across other fields. This surge is driving the expansion of healthcare administration degree programs across the U.S.
And universities are working to prepare students to meet this growing need.
“I think many of our students want to make a difference,” said Anne Neu, Associate Director of Career Services for the Health Care Management Education Programs at Dartmouth College. “You go into healthcare because that is important to you. I think people see the inequities in healthcare. They see the challenges they experience themselves.”
Neu’s insight highlights another reason why so many students are drawn to healthcare administration roles. Whether they aim to oversee an entire network or cover a specialized department, these students share a strong desire to make an impact.
How to find student organizations
Most aspiring healthcare administrators look for professional development and industry engagement opportunities during their studies. In turn, many universities have student organizations designed specifically for healthcare administration students. By joining these groups, students can attend networking events, learn from industry experts and connect with their peers.
The Upsilon Phi Delta (UPD) Honor Society, for example, caters to healthcare management and policy students. With dozens of current chapters nationwide, its mission is to honor high-achieving students, faculty and healthcare administration leaders.
As a broader network, the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) connects over 300 global colleges and universities, raising standards in healthcare management education. The organization guides future healthcare administrators toward impactful careers.
There are many other groups students can join too.
Other organizations for healthcare administrators
Looking past school-specific organizations, students can also join national healthcare administration and healthcare management associations. Many of these organizations have student membership tiers, including:
- American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE):
- ACHE offers educational resources, certifications and networking opportunities that promote leadership and excellence in healthcare management. Students have access to special resources and associate membership opportunities.
- American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA):
- ACHCA is a nonprofit professional membership association that shares educational programming, networking and career development opportunities for members. Aspiring healthcare administrators can access discounted student memberships for up to five years.
- American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM):
- AAHAM is a one-stop resource for information, education and advocacy in the healthcare administration field. The organization focuses on professional development and offers both full- and part-time student memberships.
- Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA):
- HFMA serves financial professionals in healthcare by offering educational programs, industry insights and networking opportunities—with a focus on revenue cycle management and financial strategies. Future healthcare administrators who want to focus on the financial side of the business have access to discounted student memberships.
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA):
- AHIMA advances health information management by offering training and certification in areas like medical coding, data analytics and information governance. Students have access to special career development resources and significant membership discounts.
- Medical Group Management Association (MGMA):
- MGMA supports medical practice administrators and healthcare executives with resources for improving business operations, patient care and practice leadership. The organization offers student memberships that include the same resources and opportunities as those offered to professionals.
Students can join these and other organizations through their schools or online. By becoming a member of healthcare administration groups, they can easily participate in conferences, seminars and mentorship programs.
Why connections are important for healthcare administrators
Healthcare administrators understand that networking is a nonnegotiable—and that they need to form connections at every stage of their careers. Students, experienced professionals and everyone in between can benefit from staying up-to-date on industry trends, sharing best practices and engaging in mentorship opportunities.
Here are some networking tips to consider.
Start early
Healthcare administration students should attend industry events and webinars on a regular basis—and join professional healthcare organizations—while they’re still in school. These spaces are designed to help future leaders make meaningful connections.
“I think general leadership has risen to the top in the last five to 10 years,” Neu said. “It’s important in any organization, but specifically in healthcare: how it gets funded, who gets it and who has access to it.”
Use social media
Platforms like LinkedIn make it simple for healthcare professionals to connect, join relevant groups and participate in discussions about industry policies and trends. They also open the door to job opportunities—locally, regionally and globally.
Find a mentor
Many students enjoy partnering with experienced healthcare administrators who can offer guidance and share their professional network. Mentorship is especially valuable for those who want to understand how to progress into a leadership role.
Follow up often
After meeting someone at an event or conference, healthcare administration students should try to maintain the relationship by staying in touch. This could be as straightforward as sending a follow-up email or liking the connection’s professional updates on social media.
Be genuine
Students won’t gain much traction if they network for the sole purpose of building contacts. Instead, it’s important to show up authentically—to participate meaningfully in discussions and display real interest in other people’s ideas and experiences.
Because here’s the thing: in healthcare administration, connections go far beyond landing a job. The aim is to build real, lasting relationships that can transform the field for the better. Collaborations and opportunities for shared learning are just the beginning.
For aspiring healthcare administrators, networking can also open doors to internships and job leads. Many of these opportunities come from the same professional connections students make through organizations, conferences and mentorship programs.
“Healthcare is expanding and working across state or even global lines,” Neu said. “When we have global representation in our programs, we understand how healthcare is existing and transpiring all over the place—so those networks will continue to be important.”
Closing thoughts
As healthcare systems become more integrated and complex, professionals need to build a strong network—regardless of where they’re at in their careers. For students, the value of these connections goes far beyond the classroom. Student organizations help aspiring healthcare administrators connect with their peers, stay current with industry trends and develop their leadership skills.
Neu shared that college students today value career paths that make an impact. Yet the value of networking doesn’t end once healthcare administrators gain experience.
“I think the more senior you get in your career, it’s nice to have what I call a ‘career board of directors,’” she explained. “You can talk to different people, get fresh ideas and have that external network to help solve problems.”
Healthcare administration students can start building their career board of directors early by staying engaged in the industry. And there’s an added benefit to creating a strong network: many students find the connections they make to be personally fulfilling as well.
Are you interested in learning more about becoming a healthcare administrator? Explore our allied health programs for more information on how to get started.
