In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, a student’s career choice can seem endless, making the task a daunting and sometimes confusing one. This is especially true in grade 9 and up, where students are required to plan their academic course work and choose their pre-requisite classes: choices that can greatly influence their future educational and career pathways.

Making that decision a little easier was one of the ideas behind Connexion’s Adventures in Health Careers, a half-day event that connected students with local health professionals. This was also an opportunity to inform students about careers in the health and social services sector in order to encourage more students to study in these fields. The ultimate goal is to increase the number of bilingual health and social services professionals working in our region.

In a series of workshops and a Q&A Panel, 85 students from Maniwaki High School had the opportunity to meet and speak to various health and social services professionals, who were on-hand to answer questions about their jobs, training and the early stages of their career paths.

The Q&A Panel was moderated by Gail Hawley-McDonald, from the McGill Training and Retention Project, and included four health and social services professionals, currently working in the public health system:

• Jacqueline Langelier, RN: Bursary Recipient, now working at the Maniwaki Hospital, Centre intégré de santé et services sociaux
• Kim Greene, LPN:  Teacher, Health Programs, Pontiac Continuing Education Center in Shawville and the Western Quebec Career Center in Aylmer, both with the Western Quebec School Board
• Wyatt Dumont, Social Worker, Human Relations Office, First Nation Services, Centre intégré de santé et services sociaux, Centre jeunesse de Maniwaki
• Jamie Carle, Community Health Nurse, Maternal Health Program, Kitigan Zibi Health & Social Services

The morning workshops highlighted the nursing and social worker professions, while the afternoon workshops presented important Mental Health information:

• Denyse April from Cegep Heritage College shared information on pre-requisites needed for students to pursue nursing studies after high school.
• Josette Kodsi, Social Worker at the Western Quebec School Board (WQSB), explored careers in social services touching on Psychology, Social Work and other social service careers.
• Caroline Lafontaine, Suicide Détour, spoke to students about body image and social media.
• Shady Hafez, Mental Wellness Project Coordinator, with the Wanaki Center and Maniwaki Native Friendship Center spoke about Holistic Mental Health.
• Josette Kodsi, Social Worker at the WQSB spoke to the students about stress and anxiety.

At lunch time students also had the opportunity to visit kiosks and speak to the following local community organizations:

• Kelly Connolly, Drug and Alcohol Technician from the Western Quebec School Board spoke to students about drug and alcohol addiction and prevention.
• Pontiac Continuing Education Centre shared information on their Institutional and Home Care Assistance program.
• Centre Wanaki Centre
• Maniwaki Native Friendship Centre
• Suicide Détour (French only Website, but bilingual services)
• Vocational Training Centre / CFP de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau
• Place aux jeunes and Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi Vallée-de-la-Gatineau

Connexions would like to thank Gail and the health professionals for coming out to speak to the high school students.  We would also like to extend a special thank you to Josette Kodsi who presented two different workshops and was with us for the whole day- thank you!

This initiative was funded by McGill University through a financial contribution from Health Canada.