So What is a Health Career?
28 August 2010
Western District Health Service hosted its second annual ‘Careers in Health Day’ earlier this month, and, this year, extended the program to run over two days to include Year 10, 11 and 12 students from schools across the region.
Fifty eight students from Baimbridge College, Monivae College, The Hamilton and Alexandra College, Good Shepherd College and Casterton Secondary College attended the information days at the Hamilton Base Hospital Education Centre.
In partnership with Glenelg Southern Grampians Local Learning and Education Network (GSG LLEN), the health service provided student groups with information sessions and presentations on Careers in Health and how to prepare for entry into employment in the Health sector.
WDHS staff gave presentations on pathways into the health sector, education options to ensure maximum opportunities, and the diverse range of careers and career opportunities available. Scholarship information was also on offer for Year 12 students attending the forums.
WDHS Nurse Education Co-ordinator, Chris McGennisken was very pleased with the response from schools and students. “This is an important opportunity for young people from the region to gain a better understanding of the Health Careers featured by being able to speak with people actually working in those areas. We’ve already had some very positive feedback from participants, including a thankyou card from a Monivae student, and we hope to hold the event again next year.”
GSG LLEN Partnership Broker, Gail Law said “There are such diverse roles within the health sector, and a career in health can provide young people with a rewarding and exciting future. The aim of the program is to provide parents and students with information straight from the source. “
“We wanted to get good information out to the students; what it's like at uni, how much it costs and the accommodation options, information about scholarships, bursaries and other financial assistance” she said .
“Perhaps most importantly, it gave students an idea of what the job entails through the experience of a variety of professionals working in a broad range of careers within the health sector. The presenters spoke about their profession and gave students and their parents the opportunity to find out everything they wanted to know about their career choice” Ms Law said.
Young people wanting to know more about Careers in Health, education, scholarships, nursing, Speech Pathology, Podiatry, Occupation Therapy, Physiotherapy, Social Work, Medical Imaging, Dietetics, Diversional Therapy, Health Promotion can contact either Gail Law at GSG LLEN on 5571 9302, Chris McGennisken on 5551 8222 or by accessing the WDHS website on www.wdhs.net
Photo caption: Year 10 Baimbridge College students, Amy Cumming, Bianca Ferguson and Maranda Hutchins ponder career opportunities in the Health Sector