The Connecticut Health Careers Academy program was developed to increase the success of students from undeserved areas who will later matriculate in degree-granting programs. Through a grant by the WorkPlace, Inc., Southwestern AHEC is enhancing its Youth Health Service Corps program to include a bi-monthly after school program focusing on college and career preparedness. Stratford High School and Bunnell High School students are asked to commit to meetings for the full course of the school year to provide a framework for them to receive assistance in achieving personal, educational, and career-oriented goals.
The program curriculum is based around four major areas:
- guest speakers from various health professions,
- field trips to a mixture of diverse health facilities,
- mentoring program involving health professions college students from local universities, and
- parental information sessions.
Students and mentors will meet twice a month for two hours of fun and educational interaction. The students hear from, and interact with career-driven health professionals. The students – with their mentors guidance – have the opportunity to research hundreds of different health and medical careers, ranging from doctors to x-ray technicians to occupational therapists, etc. in order to find their niche. Opportunities to visit various health and medical facilities, are arranged by the Greater Bridgeport Medical Association, to both Bridgeport Hospital and St. Vincents Medical Center, Community Health Centers and even Health Departments. In addition to educational exhibits, such as the Bodies Exhibition have proven to be exceptional learning experiences that are shared with the students and their mentors. Students gain further exposure to various health professions and facilities, and learn that a future in health care is possible!
The program will also instill the basics of college and career preparedness. Students will practice writing resumes, filling out college applications and financial paperwork, interview skills and developing portfolios. E-mail and social networking etiquette will also be addressed, as well as researching schools and dressing for success. Parents are encouraged to attend any meetings involving preparedness, so they can support their child at home when it’s time to make decisions about their future.
We’d like to especially thank our partners – the MAACS program of the Bridgeport Public Education Fund, the Greater Bridgeport Medical Association, Bridgeport Hospital, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Optimus Health Care, Southwest Community Health Center, Stratford School District, Bridgeport Public Schools, Fairfield University, the University of Bridgeport, and Sacred Heart University.
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For more information
Contact Bobbi Kulas at rkulas@swctahec.org or Erin McDermott at emcdermott@swctahec.org
