Fairdale High School Hosts Successful Student-Driven Health Sciences Career Fair
Fairdale High School recently hosted its first-ever Health Sciences Career Fair, notable for its student-driven organization and focus on providing real-world career insights. The event allowed 200 students from grades 10-12 to explore diverse opportunities in healthcare and develop essential leadership skills at 54 booths.
Students Take the Lead in Creating a Career Exploration Experience
A key highlight of the event was the innovative approach taken by Health Science teacher Gwen Pumphrey, who empowered her students to organize and manage the event. Rather than simply assigning tasks, Pumphrey entrusted students with full ownership of the career fair, allowing them to take the lead in all aspects of its development and execution. Students were responsible for everything from researching and securing guest speakers and coordinating their schedules to managing event logistics, including venue setup, vendor communication, and day-of operations.
This comprehensive involvement fostered valuable skills in leadership, project management, and professionalism. Upperclassmen played a significant role in designing the event to be engaging and relevant for their peers. Understanding the unique perspectives and interests of their fellow students, they incorporated thoughtful details such as the design and assembly of vendor bags, the creation of informative and visually appealing signage, and the development of interactive games and activities.
Recognizing the value of feedback, students also implemented mechanisms for gathering input from both participating organizations and attendees. They offered a QR code survey in welcome bags, demonstrating their commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring that future events would be even more impactful.
Connecting Students with Healthcare Professionals
The career fair aimed to provide students with a practical understanding of the various career paths within healthcare. Participating organizations offered a range of interactive experiences, including demonstrations, career spotlights, education and training guidance, hands-on activities, and job readiness opportunities.
Students explored careers in:
Direct Patient Care-Nursing
Public Health and Community Wellness
Community Health-Focused Organizations
Medical Assisting
Telemedicine
Imaging and Diagnostics
Rehab and Therapy
Pharmacy
Military Health Careers
Surgical Fields
The event also featured representatives from military healthcare, mobile health units, and community organizations, providing insights into volunteer and job opportunities. By connecting with professionals and exploring diverse pathways, students gained valuable knowledge to help them make informed decisions about their future, whether pursuing further education or entering the workforce.
Diverse Participation from Community Organizations
The career fair included 15 organizations representing Community Resources (Job Shadow/Volunteer/Internship/Employment) and a variety of healthcare-related organizations:
Advanced ENT & Allergy
American Red Cross
Bamboo Health
Blue Halo Med Spa
Humana
Greenleaves
UofL Health
UofL Health Sports Medicine
Okolona Fire Dept
Norton Children Transport Team
Norton Healthcare
YMCA
Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates
SOS International
Walgreens Co.
UPS
University of Kentucky Student
JCTC- Allied Health
Bellarmine University
Campbellsville University
Sullivan University
KentuckianaWorks College Access Center (KCAC)
SummerWorks
US Coast Guard
National Guard
US Navy
Independent Consumer Services Professional
The Kidz Club
Kentucky Kingdom
Metro Public Works
HealthTrackRx
Aptiva Health
US Air Force
Trilogy Health Services
Spalding University
Benchmark Physical Therapy
Kentucky State University
UofL School of Medicine
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
The Fairdale High School Health Sciences Career Fair provided a valuable experience for students, fostering career exploration and skill development through a student-centered approach.
