High school promotions
Self-interest has been shown to be a strong influence on career choices. However, these independent decisions can be substantially influenced by external information provided through career workshops (Buikstra et. al 2007).
Medium hard to implement: May take some organizational change to implement.
Implementation examples
A collaborative project between the Nursing and Rural Health academic unit and the Spencer Gulf Rural Health School, based at the University of South Australia’s Whyalla Campus, attempted to increase interest in rural health science careers.The project aimed to introduce Year 10 students from local schools to the university environment, to increase their understanding of health issues through providing a variety of university learning experiences, and to arouse their interest and awareness of possible health careers.
Success factors
Educating the school Career Advisors is a crucial part of the process (Penman et. al 2007). Satisfaction with the program, increased awareness of pathways into university, and changes in attitude about university as a career option. Timing is critical. Interest must be raised before high school students have to choose their advanced subjects, and this interest must be maintained long enough for the students to persist with the right choices.
Challenges
Difficulties in recruitment and retention of health professionals have been attributed to professional isolation, lack of support and resources, and limited professional development opportunities. While students educated in rural areas are more likely, compared with those educated at metropolitan universities, to seek employment within rural and regional areas after graduation, secondary students in such areas might not see a university education as a viable pathway to a career as a health professional. Secondary school students in rural and remote areas are generally poorly informed about career opportunities in health. Targeting students before they make career choices, the number of rural students who consider a health profession or a university education might be increased.
Making a move to a rural or remote community, relocating and building a life there is a major consideration. Prospective employers want to reach recruits with more than just a job advertisement; it must be easy for target recruits to access any information that would influence them in making this major life decision. Professionals may have families including a spouse who needs to find work, and children requiring education and activities.
Engagement of communities in defining their recruitment and retention strategy is essential to the development of partnerships that will make the entire suite of interventions work. Having communities involved in defining the approach that will be used in their community ensures that solutions are feasible in their specific environment, and that community members are more likely to sustain them.
Alexander, C., & Fraser, J. (2001). The promotion of health careers to high school students in the New England health area: the views of high school careers advisers. Australian Journal of Rural Health,9(4), 145-149.
Fraser, J., Alexander, C., Simpkins, B., & Temperley, J. (2003). HEALTH CAREER PROMOTION IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA OF NEW SOUTH WALES: A PROGRAM TO SUPPORT HIGH SCHOOL CAREER ADVISERS. Australian Journal Of Rural Health, 11(4), 199. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1584.2003.00511.x
Eley, R. M., Hindmarsh, N., & Buikstra, E. (2007). Informing rural and remote students about careers in health: The effect of Health Careers Workshops on course selection. Australian Journal Of Rural Health, 15(1), 59-64. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1584.2007.00851.x
Buikstra, E., Eley, R. M., & Hindmarsh, N. (2007). Informing rural and remote students about careers in health: Factors influencing career decisions. Australian Journal Of Rural Health, 15(5), 289-295. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1584.2007.00899.x
Penman, J., Ellis, B., White, F., & Misan, G. (2007). Evaluating the effectiveness of a university health sciences experience program for regional Year 10 students. Australian Journal Of Rural Health, 15(6), 352-359. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1584.2007.00927.x