New Skills in the New Season
A change in seasons is a wonderful way to consider new beginnings, and when starting fresh, you may identify the need for more education to gain necessary skills. In case you or members of your family are considering a health science career as your new beginning, here are some sites and programs that you might find useful:
For college students
This first set of resources focuses on young people interested in exploring health science careers, so they may be of interest to your children or yourself if you’re currently enrolled as a freshman in an undergraduate college program:
• Health Professions Week: In 2019, Health Professions Week is celebrated Nov. 16-21. The site offers a scholarship search, links to the sponsoring health profession associations, tips for academic success, enrichment programs, and a job board.
• Connect your teenage student with advisors and counselors: Encourage your student to make sure teachers and counselors know their interest in exploring the health sciences. Teachers and counselors are frequently contacted by organizations involved in health science career development, and they should have your student’s name in mind as a potential participant in any upcoming camps or programs.
• Area Health Education Center: This organization acts as a bridge between higher education and the community and works to improve and increase the health care workforce. Local AHEC offices are often a source of health science career camps and exploration programs. Check for your local AHEC in the national directory here. Summer camp enrollment windows are usually open in the fall, but check with your nearest AHEC office to get more information. Here is an example summer program in Kentucky.
• Summer Health Professions Education Program: Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this summer program is aimed at current college freshmen or sophomores who are considering health science careers. Enrollment for Summer 2020 opens Nov. 1, 2019. Programs offer networking opportunities for students that may be first generation scholars and often include hands-on health science courses, shadowing opportunities, and classes on academic success.
• Health Occupations Students of America: This organization offers high school students opportunities for growth through competitive events, leadership training, and career information resources. Click “Chartered Associations” under the “About” section to see if your state has a group for you to join.
• MedlinePlus: This consumer health information site has a topic page that links to health occupations. Explore specific duties and education requirements for a long list of health care professions from anesthesiologist assistant to veterinary technologists and technicians.
• Shadowing: Observing health professionals at work is a great way to learn day-to-day duties of the career of your choice. Opportunities for shadowing may be limited for younger students, depending on age restrictions at a particular health care organization. Check with your local hospital or clinic to see if there are shadowing opportunities available.
• Health care-focused high school programs: Check with your local school as well as your state department of education for any high school health science programs that exist for students.
For adult learners
This second set of resources focuses on adult learners, as new beginnings aren’t just for our children. Milspouses can dream for the future and may be considering a new beginning or a second career. Here are resources to explore for health science careers as you plan your future:
• Community college programs: Just enter a Google search for community college health care programs to find local two-year colleges with health programs. Contact your local community college to get in touch with a career counselor or advisor. These professionals know if there are programs to support your education and training, such as workforce development programs.
• State colleges and universities: Contact your nearest state university for information on programs that could support your education and training dreams. Be sure to ask about scholarship information before you enroll. Some scholarships don’t apply to already enrolled students, others do.
• State professional associations: Professional health care associations are often sources of scholarships and introductory information on careers. If you are an enrolled student in any program, you can usually join an association at the lower student membership rate. Joining the association is another way to keep up with the profession.
• AHEC: This resource was mentioned in the young people’s section above. In addition to offering career exploration camps and events aimed at high school students, AHEC also offers refresher courses and bridge programs for adult learners and those wishing to re-enter the health care workforce after an absence. Reach out to your local AHEC to find out more information.
