Survey of 1975-1987 graduates of Houston's High School for Health Professions

Abstract

Baylor College of Medicine and the Houston Independent School District created in 1972 the Houston High School for Health Professions (HSHP). Fifteen years later, Baylor conducted a follow-up study of HSHP graduates to determine whether the high school has been successful in encouraging and supporting young people to pursue health professional careers. Of the 2,033 students who graduated from the HSHP between 1975 and 1987, 951 (46.8%) returned usable responses to the survey. The results raised some concerns about the value of the high school's counseling services and showed that financial barriers posed problems for many students in their pursuit of health-related careers. Also, the results suggest that gender stereotyping may influence the students' career choices. Overall, however, the results of the survey were clearly favorable and provide evidence that the HSHP has been successful in fostering its students' pursuit of careers in the health professions and related careers.