The purpose of the study was to interest students in health occupations and to provide information concerning personal qualifications, education, licensing, remuneration, career mobility and where more information could be obtained.
To accomplish this, health workers were invited to the school during the noon hour to speak to students who were interested. Interest was promoted by means of a prominently placed, permanent bulletin kept up-to-date with a year-schedule and a current-meeting announcement attached. Intercommunication system announcements were made the day prior to and the morning of each meeting. In addition, by means of a sign-up sheet to note attendance, a minimal extra credit was granted to students in biology and health education classes.
The speaker was provided with a mimeographed sheet listing the things students wanted to know. Speakers responded with enthusiasm when they learned the meeting was only from 12:25 until 12:50 and there was flexibility in date arrangement. In addition to a hand written note of appreciation to the speaker, an item was sent to the local newspaper the following day.
One aspect of this type of career education program. has been that the student had no commitment of time which had to span a whole semester or a year. The meetings had been optional, of short duration, at a time when usually there is not much to do, and yet had yielded a small amount of class credit just for attendance. If the student had cane only for the reason of the extra credit for a class, he still was exposed to the information.
A second aspect has been the enthusiastic response of the speakers. This had been fostered in several ways. The time commitment of about twenty-five minutes was during the noon hour. A format was provided so that they knew what information was desired but left opportunity for them to add a personal touch. They were assured that a sudden postponement was perfectly acceptable. In addition, the letter of appreciation was sent the following day. The small item published in the local newspaper was good public relations for them and their place of work.
A third aspect has been a marked increase in rapport among the health care professionals of the community, the students, the school and the parents.
A capstone aspect has been the minimal cost in time, money and personnel to implement an introductory career education program.
The implications of this adventure in health occupations education was that it could easily be adapted to any area of vocational interest. It could be adapted to business education -- by inviting a legal secretary or a court reporter to speak. It could be adapted to mathematics education -- by inviting a grocery check out clerk or a certified public accountant to speak. It could be adapted to home economics -- by inviting a buyer from a clothing store or a restaurateur to speak. The possibilities are limited only by the imagination.
This type of career education could be recommended to any dynamic teacher or enthusiastic guidance counselor who wanted to take students on a career adventure
