ASPIRE Lake County, formed through Endeavor Health’s Community Investment Fund (CIF), brings together schools, universities, local government and organizations focused on workforce development to expand upon existing programs and co-create new programs providing exposure to healthcare roles, building job skills, and supporting residents to attain healthcare jobs and meet community employment needs.
The Healthcare Discovery Day at Grayslake North High School allowed students from five area high schools to learn more about career options in healthcare from people working in the industry.
“It’s an opportunity to walk away with a pathway that they may be interested in exploring as a result,” said Gina Schuyler, career and technology education department chair, Grayslake School District 127.
Endeavor Health’s CIF partnership, ASPIRE Lake County, focuses on collaboration which enables the group to learn from each other and expand and launch programming based on the needs of the community. This summer marks the first internships held through ASPIRE Lake County with more than two dozen high school students and community members experiencing healthcare jobs through paid experiences.
The recent Healthcare Discovery Day event highlighted a range of job possibilities to consider.
The hands-on program helped students envision themselves in the roles, and they were able to ask medical professionals questions about their jobs.
“I really liked when they told us about their experience in school so we know what to expect,” said Yasmine, a sophomore at Round Lake High school.
“There’s a bit more insight from actual medical professionals rather than teachers just handing you information,” said Bella, a junior at Grayslake Central High School.
ASPIRE Lake County is a collaboration of community partners, including Endeavor Health, School District 113, School District 116, School District 127, College of Lake County, Rosalind Franklin University, University Center, Lake County Workforce Development and YouthBuild Lake County.
