Missouri’s health care workforce grows when students are introduced to careers early, connected with strong partners and shown clear pathways into the field. The Missouri Hospital Association is proud to support members through events that make those connections possible.

Recently, MHA, its affiliates and partners supported two Explore Your Future in Health Care events in Kansas City, Mo., and St. Louis. Together, they drew more than 2,400 students and offered hands-on activities, conversations with health care professionals and resources for planning their futures.

On Sept. 23, the Kansas City Metropolitan Healthcare Council and RealWorld Learning hosted more than 1,700 middle and high school students from across the region. More than 100 career exploration stations representing hospitals, health systems, colleges, and community organizations gave students the opportunity to explore careers, ask questions, and learn about how to enter the health care workforce.

On Oct. 8, the St. Louis Metropolitan Hospital Council brought together more than 700 students from area schools for another day of health care career exploration. Students tried hands-on activities and met with education, training and workforce partners, helping them link their interests to specific careers.

Both events emphasized the wide range of health care careers available, from direct patient care to the technical, diagnostic and support roles that keep health care organizations running.

MHA supports hospitals through events like these, its workforce initiatives and resources such as MissouriHealthCareers.com, which help students see a clear path into health care and strengthen Missouri’s workforce.

This hands-on career exploration event is designed to introduce middle and high school students to the wide variety of career paths available in hospitals and health care organizations. There are two ways hospitals and health systems can get involved.

• Host an interactive exhibit or a hands-on station showcasing an activity that lasts 5 minutes or less. Examples may include pig lungs, glow germ, ultrasound probes or X-rays. Register for an interactive exhibit.
• Participate as a Next Steps exhibitor, where students learn about programs, admissions, scholarships, apprenticeships and hiring. This track is best suited for recruiters, counselors, education partners and community organizations. Register for a Next Steps exhibitor. 

Participating in this event gives your organization a chance to inspire future talent, connect with fellow health care employers, and be part of a growing ecosystem committed to career exploration and navigation.  

For more information, review the overview slide deck and watch a brief video from last year’s event. 

Strengthening Missouri’s health care workforce starts with early exposure among students, strong partnerships and clear pathways into health careers — and Missouri Hospital Association staff is proud to support its members through events and platforms that make those connections possible.

Recently, MHA and its affiliates and partners supported three impactful student engagement events focused on introducing young people to health care career opportunities.

On April 10, more than 150 high school juniors and seniors attended a Fast Track Your Future in Health Care hiring event, sponsored by the Kansas City Metropolitan Healthcare Council and Real World Learning, at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Earlier on April 2, more than 200 high school juniors and seniors attended another Fast Track Your Future in Health Care hiring event, sponsored by the St. Louis Metropolitan Hospital Council, at SSM Health DePaul Hospital-St. Louis in Bridgeton, Mo.

Students explored direct-hire opportunities, internships and apprenticeships, earn-while-you-learn programs, tuition assistance, scholarships, and education pathways at these two events.

On March 31, more than 350 students participated in Explore Your Future in Health Care at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Mo. MHA-member hospitals and workforce partners joined education leaders to showcase the wide range of careers available across Missouri’s health care system.

“Events like these are critical to strengthening Missouri’s health care workforce because they help students see clear, achievable pathways into health careers while giving hospitals a chance to connect early with future talent,” said Jill Williams, MHA’s vice president of workforce development.

Through events like these, workforce initiatives and resources such as MissouriHealthCareers.com, MHA supports hospitals by connecting students to meaningful career pathways, which strengthens the health care workforce in Missouri.