Health Careers Exploration Club: Improving the Healthcare Workforce

Abstract

Career exploration programs introduce fundamentals of career pathways to youth and help them explore career interests, employment, and academic advancement. Youth from lower socioeconomic status (SES) have fewer opportunities to gain exposure and achieve employment, which largely impacts health outcomes through lower education achievements, employment opportunities, financial security, and access to health care. It directly impacts the healthcare workforce's diversity, negatively affecting minority healthcare outcomes. This project was reimplemented using an evidence-based curriculum and feedback from the initial project to conduct a health careers exploration club for middle/high school minority youth from lower SES. The program consisted of ten sessions focused on healthcare occupations by exploring interest profiles, financial knowledge, college/career readiness, and community/academic resources. The outcomes data reinforced the project's objectives to increase the youth’s preparedness to succeed in academics and careers to improve overall health and well-being. By the end of the program, 100% of the participants self-reported increased knowledge and interest in healthcare careers, and 80% reported improved college/career self-efficacy. Future project implementations should include exposure to various healthcare career employees and mentorships. This can be achieved through expanding partnerships within the community through the project site, local community college/university, and the major healthcare system. As the project grows and partnerships strengthen, more youth will be influenced by the program's positive outcomes, improving individual health and well-being and the communities they serve.