Health sciences the focus of Business After School

For the second year in a row, WSU Spokane hosted area high school students as part of Greater Spokane Incorporated’s Business After School program.

More than 40 students from four school districts visited campus to 1) experience what it is like being on a college campus, and 2) to ask questions about health sciences programs and careers.

Students began the day rotating through roundtable discussions with faculty and staff from our various health sciences programs. That gave them the opportunity to ask questions in a small group setting and get answers from someone in the industry. The students ranged from high school freshman to seniors.

There were 12 table discussions in all.

The students were then divided into three groups and were able to tour the anatomy lab, the Speech and Hearing Sciences research labs, and the simulation labs in the College of Pharmacy.

This model can leave a lasting impact on the students in attendance. Instead of a general career fair, students physically see and experience what it’s like to be on a college campus or in a health care company setting.

Business After School is a program designed to introduce current middle and high school students to high-demand industries. A lot of jobs in the health sciences industry are in high demand, which is one reason why we continue our pursuit of a four-year medical school.

Nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, speech therapists and more are also always in demand. As our population ages and as those in the health care industry retire, getting current students interested in those health care careers is increasingly important.

The 40-plus that visited campus today got a glimpse of what it’s like to study for – and work in – a health care job.