Inspiring Students Across Southern Illinois
SIH employees highlighted potential careers for 600 students from across Southern Illinois
More than 600 students from schools across Southern Illinois took part in the 2024 SIH Healthcare Career Expo. This year's event was held at The Pavillion in Marion. This allowed schools from several counties to take part over two days.
Initially held for Herrin junior high and middle school students in its first year and for Carterville and Herrin middle, junior, and high school students in its second year, SIH expanded the scope in 2024 to include public and private school students, as well as home-schooled students across the region.
The event once again put a focus on younger students with the hopes of inspiring future careers.
“We always got to them in high school, but we never really reached them at the junior high level before they started selecting their classes,” said SIH VP & Administrator Rodney Smith.
More than 20 SIH service line teams provided hands-on demonstrations and question-and-answer opportunities. These service lines included surgery, nursing, pharmacy, lab services, imaging, physical and occupational therapy, cardiology, neurosciences and more.
“A lot of times, kids don’t want to move out of the area,” said Smith. “There are plenty of jobs right here in the healthcare field. Lots of opportunities. Lots of high-paying jobs. And they can be close to their families.”
MORE COVERAGE BELOW
The Southern Illinoisan: SIH Expo introduces Junior High students to healthcare