by Tara Alexander | Staff Writer

Students who attended the recent Health Sciences Fair could have become aware of  new opportunities for transfer schools and career choices. That’s what Pikes Peak Community College advisors were hoping for as they welcomed attendees to the fair at the Rampart Range Campus Atrium on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. 

The fair had 19 tables including representatives from several PPCC programs and Adams State University, Colorado State University-Pueblo Health Sciences, Pueblo Community College, Trinidad State Junior College, Roseman University, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, University of Colorado-Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus and Western State University.

Certificate and degree options explored at the fair included: Allied Health, Athletic Training, Dental Assisting, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Exercise/Sport Science, Health Promotion, Medical Assisting, Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Pre-Med, Pre-Physical Therapy, Radiology Technician and Surgical Technology.

Students are encouraged to attend future health sciences or transfer fairs whether they are applying to a PPCC healthcare program or transferring to another institution. 

Stackable pathways allow students to explore a variety of fields and environments. 

In addition to clinical positions, students may find careers in the business side of healthcare such as transcription, marketing and administration. 

Even those who are not currently considering a health sciences career can benefit from talking to representatives at events like these. Adding a certificate, second associate degree or even just a new class could enhance students’ experiences at PPCC and future careers.

The PPCC Surgical Technology program, already with a waitlist for its first cohort, is one of several programs housed in the new PPCC Health Education Center. At the fair, attendees could see and feel what it would be like to be a surgical technician helping in the care of a laceration.

In other cases, a health sciences or transfer fair can help students learn about long-established programs at other schools nearby. For example, the first fully online Occupational Safety degree program in the nation was born here in Colorado at Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC). 

Students with a desire for an out-of-state experience may also gain something from visiting these kinds of fairs since even Roseman University,  which has campuses in Utah and Nevada, came to the event.

Students can find their advisors through the Navigate portal and clicking on Resources in the sidebar or by using the Appointment feature to schedule some time with them.