| Abstract: | Applicants to a high school health career orientation program were followed for three years after graduation. There were 235 participants and 271 in the control group. Groups were fairly matched in age, grade level, prior exposure to health work, and interest in health occupations. Controls were above-average academically. Participants served in a 6-week summer program, worked under close supervision in 35 health career areas in hospitals and health-related agencies, took field trips, and received supplementary guidance. Participants showed low drop-out rates and high levels of expressed satisfaction; were likelier to engage in extracurricular health-related activities; studied and trained more; explored more before making an employment choice; showed higher levels of job satisfaction, higher earnings, and less turnover. |
