We help young people and career-changing adults gain access to education and become their community's health professionals. People who come from communities where there are not enough health care providers are more likely to work in health work force shortage areas upon completion of their health professional education. We focus our activities on underserved populations.

In 2004-2005 East Texas AHEC provided health careers information to 34,431 career decision makers. Eighty-nine percent were from under-represented minorities and disadvantage populations or populations which are underrepresented in the health professions. We worked with 573 schools in 309 independent school districts. And, we provided 190 enrichment experiences to 4,246 students, 92% from under-represented minorities and disadvantaged populations.

Health promotion activities include: 

• Delivery of extensive health careers information through classroom presentation, career fairs and  health fair exhibits.
  

• Introduction to the many health career resources available such as

  • Computerized Financial Aid Information through FastWeb.

  • the printed H.O.T. Jobs: A Cool Guide to Health Careers and

  • the "NEW" Texas H.O.T. Jobs website at www.texashotjobs.org.

  • Life Works: the health and medical science career exploration site, Office of Science Education, National Institutes of Health

• Enrollment in multi-contact enrichment programs, such as Summer Camps, Mentoring Programs, and Medical Explorer Posts, to improve a student's competitive edge for admission into a health professions education program. 

Find Your AHEC for further information and career counseling services.