By Sanay Sood | March 9th 2023
SHSM, which stands for “Specialist High Skills Major,” is a program in Ontario that allows high school students to specialize in a particular area of study while they complete their high school diploma. The main goal is to enable students to focus their learning on a certain profession while earning credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Grade 11 and 12 students earn certificates and gain experience as an employee at a job relating to their SHSM branch during their co-op period. The Woodlands provides two of the 19 different SHSM branches; Health and Wellness and Arts and Culture. The Health and Wellness SHSM focuses on helping students develop skills and knowledge related to the field. This may include learning about careers in healthcare, healthy living practices, and how to promote health and wellness in their own communities.
Throughout the two years as a student in this program, participants will graduate with a SHSM seal on their OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma), complete eight to ten courses related to the field, earn industry certifications, and gain important skills from workplace experiences through Cooperative Education placements (Co-Op). The certificates and activities required in SHSM allow students to get out of their comfort zone and interact with new people. Additionally, participants can get an insight into how much it is aligned with their possible future careers. Through the Co-Op requirement in SHSM, students have the opportunity to interact with adults in the industry, which has helped current SHSM students with their communication and people skills. Some even got a job offer from their Co-Op placement, which can be very beneficial. SHSM programs often include activities such as sports, physical education, and nutrition education, which can help students better their overall health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve physical well-being. They can also include activities such as stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, and mental health education, which can help students develop skills to reduce their risk of mental health issues.
SHSM programs provide students with the opportunity to learn about different career paths and develop skills related to their chosen sector, which can help them make informed decisions about their future. Additionally, the program can help students develop leadership skills, build confidence, and learn how to effectively communicate and collaborate with others, which can benefit their future personal and professional lives. More specific to the Health and Wellness program is the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare industry, including the different roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, the various types of healthcare facilities, and the importance of patient care. Students have the chance to shadow various healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, and physiotherapists, which allows for direct views of different careers available within the healthcare field. Students will also have the ability to volunteer in various health-related organizations in their community, which will give them valuable hands-on experience and a chance to give back to the community.
At the Woodlands, to apply for SHSM, the Student Services site has Google forms which need to be completed for the application to go through. Sign-up for the program is in Grade 10 and the program runs for 2 years. In order to complete the program, participants need a bundle of nine Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits, sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs, experiential learning and career exploration activities, reach-ahead experiences, and sector-partnered experiences (SPEs). When interviewed, grade 12 Health and Wellness student Faria Khan said, “During my time in Co-Op, I had wanted to figure out if medicine was the correct field for me and I was able to do so through Co-Op. Something else I wanted to experience was the CPR and FA certificates as I feel like knowing First Aid was very convenient especially when you never know what could happen.”
In conclusion, the SHSM program at The Woodlands offers students a unique opportunity to specialize in a particular field while completing their high school education. The Health and Wellness program specifically helps students develop skills and knowledge related to healthcare, healthy living practices, and promoting wellness in their community. Through required certificates and activities, students are able to gain important skills and interact with professionals in the industry, giving them a chance to make informed decisions about their future careers. The SHSM program at The Woodlands provides a comprehensive educational experience that can help students build confidence, leadership skills, and overall well-being while preparing them for future, personal, and professional success.
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