Business partner Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center recently hosted a Health Career Day for students from Meyersdale Area High School, Salisbury-Elk Lick High School, and Shanksville-Stonycreek High School in Somerset County.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for local students to become exposed to the high-demand careers available at their local hospital. Twelve employees discussed their roles at the hospital and provided general information about health care careers to students. The students were then treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the hospital and spent time shadowing the employee of their choice for a true “day in the life” experience.
Providing this type of early exposure to healthcare careers is critical, as the industry is expected to grow rapidly due to Baby Boomer retirements and an overall increased demand for healthcare services.
The Georgetown Center on Education and Workforce predicts that nationwide, there will be an estimated 6.6 million job vacancies created in the healthcare industry by the year 2020.”
Students from Meyersdale, Salisbury-Elk Lick, and Shanksville-Stonycreek who participated in Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center’s Health Career Day in November.
Through their participation in The Challenge Program, Inc., Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center is getting a head start in preparing students to fill the jobs of tomorrow. The hospital has served as a partner to The Challenge Program, Inc. at Meyersdale Area High School and Salisbury-Elk Lick High School for the past nine years. In that time, they have exposed thousands of students to careers in the industry and encouraged students to develop the solid work habits required to become meaningful contributors to the local healthcare workforce.
“At Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center we find The Challenge Program, Inc. benefits us as much as the students,” says Aaron Thomas, Marketing/Public Relations for Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center. “While the students gain a unique understanding of what qualities employers are seeking from potential employees, The Challenge Program, Inc. allows us the opportunity to inform the students of some of the career choices available at the medical center. Ultimately, we’re hopeful that some students who are interested in health care will return to the area as future employees of the hospital.”
The Challenge Program, Inc. applauds Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center for hosting the Health Career Day to expose local students to the jobs of tomorrow.
For more information on enhancing your Business/Education partnership through extracurricular activities, contact your TCP Program Manager, or check out our “What’s Next?” article for tips to help get you started.
