Health Career Exploration Day in Dodge County

South Central WI hosted a two day Health Careers Exploration Days event in Dodge County April 26th and 27th 2016. The event provided many opportunities for 9 rural high school students to gain a better understanding of a career in health care in their own community. Activities included job shadows, tours, public health education and interprofessional competencies.

Students that attended the event stated that they have a better understanding of what a career in health care is like and a better understanding of their own community resources. One student stated that the event “opened my mind to the different college options” Another student stated that what they valued most about the event was “the

tour of the hospital and seeing all of the different jobs and the job shadows.” Students also gained a better understanding of public health and how it fits in with overall health care delivery.

This event helped introduce the diverse career fields in health care that are available to high schools students with a focus on rural health care and its opportunities and challenges. Community partners that participated in this event were, Beaver Dam Community Hospital, Beaver Dam High School, Church Health Services Free Clinic, Moraine Park Technical College, Wayland Academy, Community Pediatrics, Prairie Ridge Orthopedic Clinic, and the Dodge County Public Health Department.