Preparation for a health career starts early in a child’s education. Exposure to possibilities, opportunities to observe health professionals at work, and guidance in terms of course work during the elementary and high school years is crucial and can make all the difference. Bachelors-level health science programs are specialized, and high school graduates need to be prepared when they apply.

College is not the only path. Certified health care workers play a critical role in the health system. Illinois is experiencing a shortage of many types of health care workers, some of which allow entry with a high school degree and a specialty certificate. Certificates can be earned while in high school, and most require less than two years of preparation.  Examples include the occupations of certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, pharmacy technician, surgical technologist and phlebotomist. These jobs can also be a first step to a profession that requires further education.

Many of our programs for young people give them a head start toward a health career:

Career Advising – Personalized ways to enhance school resources regarding health career training opportunities and requirements (offered to students at many educational levels).

Classroom Presentations – Speakers that provide students with opportunities to meet working health professionals and discuss career ideas and preferences (offered to students at many educational levels).

CNA Training – Entry level training in the nursing profession.

College Prep – Presentations to students, teachers and parents regarding opportunities and requirements for college-level health career preparation (offered to students at many educational levels).

Facility Tours – Opportunities for groups of students to visit labs, treatment facilities and hospital departments (offered to students at many educational levels).

Grants and Awards – Mini grants and scholarships to help cover educational expenses for students in the any health sciences and health professions.

Health Careers Camps – Week-long opportunities for groups of young students to explore health careers, meet working health professionals, and visit local health facilities.

Health Career Clubs – School-based programs for students interested in health careers.

Health Competitions – Opportunities for students to deep-dive into a health topic of interest and learn from each other in an atmosphere of friendly competition (offered to students at many educational levels).

Job Shadowing – An opportunity for a student to shadow a working professional and get an up-close view of the job and role (offered to students at many educational levels).

Mentorship – A one-on-one opportunity for a student to learn about careers and discover their interests (offered to students at many educational levels).

Public Health Clubs – School-based programs for students interested in public health careers.

Rural Health Careers Camps – Three- to five-day camps for rural high school students to learn about health careers they might want to pursue.

Scrub Exposure – Half-day opportunities for groups of young students to visit a health facility and observe working professionals.

Stackable Credentials Career Advice – Training programs that provide stepping stones to further training and career building.

Transition to Work – Practical wisdom and lessons in soft skills that foster the life change from student to employee (offered to students at many educational levels).

(Shown above, young Health Career Camps pose in between hands-on activities such as becoming CPR certified or touring a medical helicopter.)