Interactive expo connects students to health careers

Education

Mar 13

Written By Staff

Students and families are invited to explore the world of healthcare careers at the interactive Future Rounds – Health Careers Expo on March 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. Designed for students in grades 7 through 12, the expo offers a hands-on experience that brings healthcare careers to life. Hosted by the West Michigan Health Careers Council in partnership with Kent ISD, the open-house style event will take place at Kent Career Tech Center, 1655 E. Beltline Ave. NE in Grand Rapids.

“As many students explore future opportunities in healthcare, they often struggle to understand the wide range of career paths available,” said Brad Sims, West Michigan Health Careers Council lead, West Michigan Works!. “The Future Rounds – Health Careers Expo was created to bridge that gap by offering a hands-on, interactive experience that showcases what a day in the life looks like across various healthcare roles.”

Students will receive a mock patient profile outlining typical treatments and conditions when they arrive. Using clues from their scenario, they’ll navigate the Future Rounds – Health Careers Expo, interact with healthcare professionals, and discover the many careers connected to each stage of patient care.

“Students often know they’re interested in healthcare, but they don’t always see the full range of careers available to them,” said Krista Harmon, workforce development consultant, Kent ISD. “This event gives them a chance to explore those possibilities in an interactive way, ask questions directly to professionals and begin connecting what they’re learning in school to real-world opportunities. We want every student to leave feeling more confident and excited about the pathways ahead.”

Healthcare continues to be Michigan’s largest private-sector employer, with 568,000 residents working in the field in 2021. Statewide, healthcare workers earned more than $46 billion in wages, salaries, and benefits, and hospitals alone employ more than 219,000 people. The Future Rounds – Health Careers Expo will connect students with high-demand opportunities and highlight pathways, training and support available to them.

Attendees will learn about healthcare career options, hiring processes, tuition assistance and pathways from a variety of local employers and organizations, including: 85 West Dental, Grand Valley Surgical Center, Holland Home, Life EMS, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Sunset Senior Communities, Trinity Health and University of Michigan Health–West. There is no cost to attend. Students are required to register by March 18: https://www.wmihealthcareers.org.

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