The following statements of “From High School to Health Careers” follow up survey are based on: 1) A period of twenty five (25) years of high school student participation in the San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center (SLVAHEC) administered Summer Health Careers Institute (1982 to 2007),  2) This survey was not administered through generally accepted scientifically-based research study practices but rather through a telephone survey questionnaire and a simplified sum of survey responses, 3) a target of 243 students were identified for the survey, 4) 182 participants were contacted through the survey and 5) 135 participants completed the survey.  These statements, then, are based on the 135 completed participant surveys.

• The Summer Health Careers Institute does have a significant and measurable impact on high school students pursuing a health career.
• 100% of the high school students (who were surveyed) and who were participants in the Summer Health Careers Institute graduated from High Schools.
• 71% of all surveyed Summer Health Careers participants attended some type of post-secondary education and/or training.
• 61% of the Summer Health Careers Institute participants who currently are employed in the health care workforce had family members who were also employed in the health care workforce.
• 44% of the surveyed Summer Health Careers Institute participants are currently employed in a health care occupation.
• In addition, 39% of the surveyed Summer Health Careers Institute participants who are not currently in the health care, stated that they still had the desire to pursue a health career.
• The Summer Health Careers Institute students’ health career interest levels generally increased after completion of the program.
• The Summer Health Careers Institute not only helped those students investigate the possibility of obtaining a degree or certification but afforded those students the tools, capacity and self-esteem to attain other post secondary degrees or certifications.
• Participation in the Summer Health Careers Institute generally increased the participant interest level to attend post secondary education at completion of the program.
• Although not all students who were surveyed expressed an interest in health careers, they did state that there are diverse influential factors which determine what other occupational choices Summer Health Careers Institute participants’ make and these too must be understood and supported by the program.
• The majority of Summer Health Careers Institute participants surveyed stated that high school students need the personal and academic guidance and support of such programs as the Summer Health Careers Institute to be better prepared for post-secondary education and/or training.
• Because some high schools have historically referred more students to the Summer Health Careers Institute then others, a more concentrated effort must be made to educate other high schools on the effectiveness and significance of the Summer Health Careers Institute’s impact on the high school students’ future careers.
• A significant number of surveyed Summer Health Careers Institute participants offered their own services to counsel and/or tutor other Summer Health Careers Institute participants, past or present, to enhance their academic success.