Alive and Well: Making Personal Choices
Healthcare is a changing, dynamic field of opportunities with enormous scope.
High school students in many cases are not aware of the variety of jobs either directly or indirectly associated with the treatment of illnesses and injuries and the maintenance of good health. This year marks the seventh anniversary of the successful annual Health Career Awareness Conference in Western North Carolina, designed to enlighten students, teachers, parents, and the community at large as to the more than 250 healthcare occupations that offer local career options.
This
year’s conference, “Alive and Well: Making Personal Choices,” will be
hosted by the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) Department
of Health Careers and Diversity Management, Tuesday, September 26,
2006, from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the MAHEC bridge building in
Asheville, at 501 Biltmore Avenue. It is free and open to high school
students, health occupation teachers, school counselors and advisors,
school board members and administrators, all educators, healthcare
professionals, parents, youth program participants, and youth
organizations. The theme reflects the connection the Regional Advisory
Council planning committee sees between making an informed decision to
pursue a healthcare career and the subsequent choices young people will
need to make in managing their personal health and balancing their
lifestyle as they move toward professional success in the field. Space
is limited, so conference registration is taken on a first-come,
first-served basis prior to the September 15 deadline. For more
information, please contact Jacquelyn Hallum at 828-257-4479 or e-mail:
[email protected]
In addition to
improving awareness of health career opportunities, the conference
emphasizes the recruitment of under-represented minorities and
economically disadvantaged students in the healthcare profession. All
students in MAHEC’s sixteen-county region are encouraged to participate
in this conference to heighten awareness of resources available that
can help them move forward in the field. The talents and abilities of
many people are needed to relieve shortages in an already overburdened
healthcare system.
The conference
will present health career professionals as speakers and interactive
career fair exhibits to provide those attending with practical
information needed in choosing a future path in health careers. Topics
include: “Attitude And Aptitude: Making Good Decisions,” “Health And
Wellness,” “Thinking Outside The Box – Health Outcomes,” “Finding Your
Niche And Choosing A Career,” “Where’s The Money?” and “How Can High
School Help Me Get There?” Free health screenings will also be provided.
