Cooperative Link: Winter 2007

Take the High-STEP: Preparing for an Exciting & Promising Career in Health Science!

Health care is a booming business in our area and across the world. Some may even call the boom a “crisis” in terms of the future of healthcare. A severe shortage is predicted for the next 30 years in many medical careers. The generation of “baby boomers” is approaching retirement and needing more services as they age, so it stands to reason the need for qualified workers in this area and across the world is becoming apparent.

South Central Service Cooperative and the Greater Mankato Area are taking a proactive step to this problem through an innovative partnership between schools and businesses. High-STEP (Health Science Technology and Education Partnership) was formed to encourage high school students to explore Health Science and Health Careers as an option for their future. The mission of High-STEP is to develop a dynamic regional partnership between K-12, post-secondary institutions, and local business and industry that will provide secondary students with Health Science coursework and work-based learning experiences. This will excite and prepare them for Health Science career opportunities in Minnesota.

The partnership includes large and small area healthcare businesses, high schools and post-secondary institutions. They promote courses and programs such as: Introduction to Health Occupations courses, Certified Nursing Assistant Programs, Healthcare Internships, and a Career and Technical student organization (HOSA). High-STEP encourages students to take higher level science and math as these will also further them in their work and post-secondary futures.

Both student and community benefit from such a unique program. Students get the opportunity to explore careers in Health Science first hand through job shadows, field trips, community speakers, and career fairs. They learn core skills needed for all levels of medical careers while gaining leadership and networking skills with current and emerging Health Science professionals. Communities will find more students becoming excited about health occupations and be able to retain quality, trained employees.

Healthcare facilities in Greater Mankato have taken students on as interns through the schools and have hosted several career days and expos.

For further information, contact Kim Mueller, (507) 382-6541 or Glenn Morris, (507) 389-5106, or visit the High-STEP web site at http://mnscsc.org/high_step/highstep.html.




SCSC News Calendar of Events *Programs and Services* Accounting Briefs / Assessment Leadership / Carl Perkins / Center for Academic Excellence / Cooperative Purchasing / Health and Safety / High-STEP / Insurance New Conference/ / NCLB/AYP / SOCRATES / Special Education *Student Enrichment Programs* Chess Tournament / Fine Arts Conference / Knowledge Bowl / Math Masters / MN Academic Decathlon / Student Inventors / "Water is Life" Art Contest / Young Writer's Conference / Winter Issue Home Page Previous Issues of Cooperative Link Return to SCSC Home Page	HIGH-STEP (HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP) Take the High-STEP: Preparing for an Exciting & Promising Career in Health Science! Health care is a booming business in our area and across the world. Some may even call the boom a “crisis” in terms of the future of healthcare. A severe shortage is predicted for the next 30 years in many medical careers. The generation of “baby boomers” is approaching retirement and needing more services as they age, so it stands to reason the need for qualified workers in this area and across the world is becoming apparent. South Central Service Cooperative and the Greater Mankato Area are taking a proactive step to this problem through an innovative partnership between schools and businesses. High-STEP (Health Science Technology and Education Partnership) was formed to encourage high school students to explore Health Science and Health Careers as an option for their future. The mission of High-STEP is to develop a dynamic regional partnership between K-12, post-secondary institutions, and local business and industry that will provide secondary students with Health Science coursework and work-based learning experiences. This will excite and prepare them for Health Science career opportunities in Minnesota. The partnership includes large and small area healthcare businesses, high schools and post-secondary institutions. They promote courses and programs such as: Introduction to Health Occupations courses, Certified Nursing Assistant Programs, Healthcare Internships, and a Career and Technical student organization (HOSA). High-STEP encourages students to take higher level science and math as these will also further them in their work and post-secondary futures. Both student and community benefit from such a unique program. Students get the opportunity to explore careers in Health Science first hand through job shadows, field trips, community speakers, and career fairs. They learn core skills needed for all levels of medical careers while gaining leadership and networking skills with current and emerging Health Science professionals. Communities will find more students becoming excited about health occupations and be able to retain quality, trained employees. Healthcare facilities in Greater Mankato have taken students on as interns through the schools and have hosted several career days and expos. For further information, contact Kim Mueller, (507) 382-6541 or Glenn Morris, (507) 389-5106, or visit the High-STEP web site at http://mnscsc.org/high_step/highstep.html. > Next High-STEP Article: Bio-Medical Health Science Curriculum in Minnesota	This newsletter is also available as an Acrobat PDF (2.4 MB) Free Acrobat Reader required for viewing.