ST. CLOUD - If you're looking to get into the healthcare industry now is the time to start.

At St. Cloud Technical and Community College the school held a Health and Sciences open house, Thursday evening. The idea is to give prospective students a chance to meet industry professionals while learning about the many different options the healthcare field can provide.

Jackie Bauer is in the career services department at SCTCC. She says their programs offer a lot of options for good paying jobs without racking up student loans.

"We offer a lot of degrees where students are leaving school and making good money with a two year degree"

Bauer also says she works closely with CentraCare and other local employers to track where the industry is going and where they can improve their curriculum.

The career services department has also tracked when and where students are getting jobs. With that information they can see how many students from a class found a job. The 2015 class of students, that graduated with degrees in sonography, all found jobs and are making around $50,000.00/year.

The school also noticed great success for those graduating with surgical technology, dental assisting and dental hygiene degrees.

The future is bright for those looking for healthcare jobs in the future in Central Minnesota. The healthcare field is one of the top two employers in Central Minnesota.

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