Healthcare careers expo empowers students to envision their future

Healthcare careers expo empowers students to envision their future 

More than 400 students from across the region registered for the ninth biennial Healthcare Careers Expo at Ithaca College’s School of Health Sciences & Human Performance. The half-day event brought together regional students from 16 schools with 35 healthcare exhibitors and expert panelists, creating an energizing environment where young people could explore diverse career pathways in healthcare, ranging from emergency medical services and athletic training to occupational therapy, and public health. 

Ithaca College’s School of Health Sciences and Human Performance served as the perfect host for the day’s activities, opening its doors and state-of-the-art facilities to inspire the next generation. The school prepares future healthcare professionals through programs spanning everything from athletic training and exercise science to occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and physician assistant studies. As students explored practice labs, wellness clinics, and simulation spaces, they witnessed firsthand how the school combines hands-on learning with expert faculty mentorship to develop healthcare leaders committed to holistic and equitable approaches to human health. 

“The energy and enthusiasm from our students today was incredible,” said Christopher R. Sponn, Executive Director of Tompkins County Workforce Development and Chair of the Healthcare Careers Expo. “Watching hundreds of young people engage with healthcare professionals, try out hands-on simulations, and envision themselves in these vital careers is exactly what this event is all about. We’re not just hosting a career awareness fair. We are building tomorrow’s healthcare workforce.” 

A powerful regional collaboration 

The success of this flagship event reflects the strength of regional partnership and shared commitment to workforce development. The Healthcare Careers Expo Planning Committee brings together leaders from Centralus Health, Central New York Area Health Education Center (CNY AHEC), Cortland Works, Human Services Coalition, Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED), Ithaca College’s School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, Tompkins Cortland Community College, Tompkins County Whole Health, Tompkins County Workforce Development, Tompkins County Youth Services, and Tompkins Seneca Tioga BOCES. 

“This event simply doesn’t happen without this incredible collaborative effort,” Sponn emphasized. “Each planning committee member brings unique expertise, resources, and connections that make this experience possible for our students. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when educational institutions, healthcare organizations, workforce development agencies, and community partners unite around a common goal. We may not be a big city, but our students deserve big opportunities. They deserve the chance to dream, to explore, to see what’s possible for their futures. That’s what events like this are all about.” 

Meeting an Urgent Need 

The timing of this workforce development initiative could not be more critical. As baby boomers retire in growing numbers over the next decade, the healthcare industry faces an unprecedented shortage of skilled professionals. Precisely when our aging population will need care the most. 

“Here’s the cold hard reality. Our community is getting older, and the healthcare workers who’ve served us faithfully are approaching retirement,” Sponn noted. “But here’s the opportunity. Healthcare careers offer stable, well-paying jobs that can’t be outsourced. These are careers with purpose, careers with a future. When we inspire a young person to pursue healthcare, we’re not just helping them build a good life, we’re ensuring our parents and guardians, our neighbors, and eventually ourselves will have someone there when we need care.” 

Students participated in interactive 22-minute workshop sessions covering specialized fields including athletic training, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, emergency services, and mental health care. Students learned that healthcare offers immediate career pathways, with many entry-level positions providing paid training and real-world experience straight out of high school. The comprehensive program also featured tours of state-of-the-art facilities at Ithaca College, including the Athletic Training Clinic, Movement Analysis Lab, and Healthcare Simulation learning spaces. 

The Exhibit Hall buzzed with hands-on learning as students engaged with interactive tables representing over 30 healthcare career pathways. They practiced real clinical skills such as suturing wounds, performing CPR, learning to “Stop the Bleed,” all while asking questions directly to the nurses, therapists, technicians, and emergency responders who live these careers every day. The interactive format transformed abstract job titles into tangible experiences students could see, touch, and imagine themselves doing. 

Community investment makes it possible 

The Healthcare Careers Expo would not be possible without the generous support of community sponsors whose investment directly funds student lunches and essential program materials, ensuring barrier-free participation for all attendees. This year’s sponsors include Centralus Health, CNY AHEC, Family Health Network, Guthrie, the Human Services Coalition, HOLT Architects, IAED, Ithaca College, Tompkins Cortland Community College, Tompkins Chamber, Tompkins County Whole Health, Wegmans, and Workforce Development Institute (WDI). 

“Our sponsors understand that investing in these young people is investing in our region’s future,” said Sponn. “When we come together like this – educators, healthcare providers, businesses, and community organizations – we’re not just filling jobs. We’re empowering the next generation to build meaningful careers while strengthening the foundation of care our entire community depends on. That’s how we move forward together.” 

For more information about the Healthcare Careers Expo or partnership opportunities for the 2027 event, contact Christopher R. Sponn, Executive Director of Tompkins County Workforce Development at csponn@tompkins-co.org.