PREPARATION How Do I Prepare for A Career in healthcare? Volunteer at one of your local area hospitals Talk to someone in a healthcare career (family member, a friend of the family, your pediatrician) Check out some of the healthcare web sites Get a Library Card and research healthcare opportunities at your local library; read about your interests Talk to your teacher and/or guidance counselor about healthcare careers. Talk to your family about how they decided what they wanted to do When you go to the Doctor, talk with the Doctor and the staff... ask them how they made the decision to get into healthcare and their likes and dislikes. Attend Programs or Workshops in your school and community on healthcare Careers Join a community group like the Boy/Girl Scouts... learn how to work as a team and how to get along with others Begin to help around the house, maybe even discuss getting an allowance from your parents - this will teach you about earning and saving money It is OK to change your mind - keep your mind open to the many different options available The amount of money you will make depends on what you decide to do... how long you go to school... and where you want to work after school. Try to learn more about the occupation by experience through job shadows, volunteer work, internships and part time work. Many healthcare facilities offer part time positions and can work around just about any schedule. Here are some grade appropriate suggestions to jump start your career in healthcare. 9th Grade Create the "4 year high school plan" so that there is a guide to follow. Your GPA is cumulative, so the grades you make in 9th grade really do matter. Sign up for a strong curriculum filled with science and math. Strong second language skills (bilingual) are very helpful in healthcare careers and can often lead to additional compensation, so consider 4 years of a foreign language. Spanish is a highly desired second language at this time. Colleges and first time employers look for students with a passion for something as well as hard work, initiative and commitment. Get involved in some extracurricular events (HOSA, Medical Explorer Post, journalism club, sports teams), but don't spread yourself too thin so that your academic achievements falter. Begin to work on developing your mind with: Memory and concentration games; Time management, project management skills (buy a planner, or a PDA); Study Skills; Stress management skills (use stress balls, take a yoga or meditation class); Develop test taking skills (how to answer multiple choice questions, essay writing, preventing test anxiety). 10th Grade Review the 4 year high school plan that was developed last year to make sure it remains appropriate. Take difficult classes (AP or IB classes) Attend local college career fairs Talk with your family and your school counselors about college... what kind of degree you want... what you can afford... if you'll need to seek out financial assistance Begin to get recommendations in writing from teachers. Really get involved in extracurricular activities that involve your passions. Take the PSAT. Start saving money. 11th Grade Begin to challenge your organizational skills... juggle school, extracurricular activities and a small part time job. Keep talking about your passions... and how you can follow your passion with your career choice. Make some college visits - talk to students, faculty and other parents if you can. Have a more in-depth discussion about finances for your college education. Discuss and plan for your PSAT, SAT or ACT. Discuss your Senior year classes - take a rigorous class schedule to prepare them for college. 12th Grade Continue to get involved in your passions! Part time jobs are great in teaching responsibility and the importance of saving money. Complete all the college tours, narrow the college choices down and submit applications (be sure to save a copy of each application submitted). Apply for scholarship/grants If selected at more than one school, sit down with your parents to do some "soul searching" and determine where you want to go. Discuss where you would learn best, do you need to be one of a few or are you ok with being one of many, where do you want to live or what do you really want to be.