For students considering a future in rural health careers, last Friday’s UCRH Health Careers Day offered a chance to see what that future could really look like. Held at our Lismore campus, the event brought together high school students, careers advisors, university students and health professionals for a day of practical learning and honest conversations about studying and working in health.
Delivered in partnership with Connect Northern Rivers, the event showcased a wide range of career options across medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, dentistry, nutrition and dietetics, exercise physiology and medical imaging. Students heard directly from current health students, asked questions about university life and learned more about the pathways into different professions.
The day also included sessions on university entry exams, giving students practical information about the steps involved in applying for health degrees. A simulation exercise provided a glimpse into real-world healthcare, while hands-on workshops allowed students to try skills and activities used by different professions.
Around 68 school students from nice high schools (as well as home-schooled), 12 careers advisors and 25 medical and allied health students took part, supported by UCRH staff throughout the day.
Events like Health Careers Day play an important role in building awareness of local study and career opportunities, while helping students picture themselves as part of the future rural health workforce. They also highlight the strength of partnerships between UCRH, Connect Northern Rivers, local schools and the wider community in supporting the next generation of health professionals.
