Titans CAREER CONNECT
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16 September 2021
Spotlight On..... ISD 622 Career Pathways
This week's Titans Career Connect newsletter features five Titans who have already started in their chosen career path within the Health Sciences, Human Services & Education pathway. Perhaps their stories will inspire you to explore the pathways more deeply and get engaged in some career experiences.
What are the pathways and how can they benefit me?
- Select high school classes that align with your career skills, interests and talents
- Understand how the classes you are taking now can lead to creating a solid post-high school plan, including choosing a college major
- Identify extra-curricular activities and groups that relate to your career interests
- Get connected to classes in high school that offer early college credit, saving you time and money
- Shift from just "planning to graduate" to "graduating with a plan."
YOUR VOICE MATTERS! Join one of our Pathways Engagement Teams
BUSINESS
ARTS & COMMUNICATION
STEM & ENVIRONMENT
EDUCATION, HEALTH SCIENCES & HUMAN SERVICES
We will meet once in the Fall for an hour to brainstorm and again in the Spring for an hour to reflect, evaluate and plan for the next year. If you are interested in being a change maker, contact Ms. Jorgensen mjorgensen@isd622.org by Sept. 30.
NURSING ASSISTANT-REGISTERED pilot program - Spring 2021
With more than 60 students expressing an interest in earning the certification, these 10 students were selected to participate in this pilot program. It was the first of its kind to meet the needs of students that were willing to put in extra hours and earn the certification. Students typically earn this certification in the Honors Medical Careers program at NE Metro 916 CTE.
WAY TO GO!
A special thank you to Ms. Cuthbert and Ms. Krenz for being fabulous instructors.
Interested in pursuing an NAR (formerly CNA) certification?
Eunice Adekinle - Class of 2022
What made you sign up for the NAR program?
I signed up for the NAR program because it was an opportunity to see if I was really interested in going into the medical field and doing something related to it.
What was a highlight, memory or something new you learned?
A highlight through the whole process for me is the new friends made when connecting to a career which we are choosing to go to, and another highlight would also be the new information and skills we learned through the program.
Are you working now? Do you have plans to further your education in Health Sciences?
Now that I have the certification I'm thinking of working as a NAR next summer, and with this, I plan to go further in the medical field because I found out that I am interested in going further in this career pathway
Any advice for your peers who are considering an opportunity like this?
If you are curious at all about anything in the medical field I would strongly suggest giving the NAR program a try.
Anything else?
I am grateful for having been a part of the NAR class at 916. Ms. C and Ms. Krenz made learning fun and taught us so much that we felt prepared for the state test. This has been an experience I will never forget!Sydney Chapman -- Class of 2022
What made you sign up for the NAR program?
I signed up for the program because I always knew I wanted to get into the medical field. I want to become an OB/GYN so this program was a way to get my feet wet into the medical field.
What was a highlight, memory or something new you learned?
The highlight of the class was making a lot of different friends and connections. We would all joke around with each other which made it a blast. Plus Ms.Cuthbert and Ms.Krenz laughed along with us. They were the best!
Are you working now? Do you have plans to further your education in Health Sciences?
I am currently working at The Waters of Oakdale. I am a CNA/RA II. I plan to go to college to major in biology then go off to medical school.
Any advice for your peers who are considering an opportunity like this?
I highly recommend taking this course especially if you are passionate about helping people and getting into the medical field. It’s not as easy as it may seem but you are passionate about it, you can do it!
Alexis LeVasseur - Class of 2022
I have had an interest in becoming a nurse for a very long time. In March, I was made aware of this opportunity taught through century college. From that moment, I did everything I could to be chosen to be in that class.
What was a highlight, memory or something new you learned?
KWIPES are the most memorable thing from that class, and is something that you are required to do upon entering one's room.
K- Knock
W- Wash hands
I- Introduce yourself
P- Provide privacy
E- Explain procedure
S- Safety check
Are you working now? Do you have plans to further your education in Health Sciences?
I am currently working as a resident assistant at The Waters of Oakdale. I do plan to continue my nursing education to ultimately get my masters degree.
Any advice for your peers who are considering an opportunity like this?
Do not turn this opportunity down. This class would be very expensive to take outside of this program. It is 100% worth it in the end. Working as a resident assistant has made me grateful for the most basic things in life. These folks teach you lessons you would not be able to learn outside of this job. It may not be glamorous or for those with weak stomachs. But it is a job that is in high demand and is super rewarding.
Temilola Ogundare - Class of 2023
The University of Minnesota's Department of Neuroscience offered a High School neuroscience summer program, and Titan Temilola Ogundare (Class of 2023) participated. The program is designed for students in grades 9-11 with a focus on increasing awareness of careers in neuroscience. Here's Temilola's recap:
My experience at the Go4Brains summer camp was an awesome one. It was a one week neuroscience program at the U of M that explored different areas of neuroscience for students from underrepresented groups. We had mini lectures from grad school students in the morning about the brain and what areas control what. We had lunch with some researchers, undergraduate students, and post doc students. During these lunches you were free to ask whatever questions you had about the path they were taking.
They also had workshops where they went through the admissions process, possible scholarship and internship opportunities and helped with making a resume. In two days out of the week, you get to pick a lab and go with a researcher, they go through what they are currently doing research on. One of the labs that I went to was one that studied what happens in the brain when a diabetic patient goes into hypoglycemic shock. We observed a patient get scanned while they increased and decreased they're blood sugar. We saw the images that were generated by the MRI machine. We got to touch and see some real brains and a spinal cord.
At the end of the program a $400 stipend was sent to us for being a part of the program. Even after the program has ended they occasionally send us emails with opportunities and information. I am so glad I got to be part of this great program, if I could, I would do it all again, I learned so much and met so many great people!
Kayla Harris - Class of 2022
I work as a Resident Assistant at Johanna Shores Retirement Community in Arden Hills. Johanna Shores is part of Presbyterian Homes. I found the job posting on the Career Connect newsletter and applied.
How is a Resident Assistant different from a CNA?
A Resident Assistant is a non-certified position that requires no experience to get started. RA's can eventually train to become CNA's, if they choose. Many companies, like Presbyterian Homes, will pay to train you to become a CNA.
What kinds of duties do you have as an RA?
Basically, whatever you would do to get up and ready for the day is what I do with the residents. I help them get up, dressed, help to groom, etc. I also help them with household tasks, such as making the bed. I work in the memory care unit too, and I really enjoy it. I like that I get to make connections with the residents and re-introduce myself everyday. This might not work well for some people, but I love it.
Will you continue to pursue a career in healthcare after you graduate?
Yes, I definitely will. The reason I became an RA is to gain experience in healthcare. One day, I plan to work as a travel nurse.
You are also enrolled in the Honors Medical Careers class at NE Metro 916 CTE for the second year. Tell me a little bit about how that is helping you prepare for your future.
This class has introduced me to medical terminology, equipment and parts of the medical field that people wouldn't normally think about. I love that the class is hands-on and some of it is self-paced.
By the end of this class, I'll be certified as a Nursing Assistant (NAR), Home Health Aide (HHA) and American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS). I can also earn up to 13 college credits by the time I finish as well.
*FREE CNA CLASS
Hmong American Partnership (HAP) is partnering with St. Paul College to offer a CNA class. Class begins 10/18 and runs through 12/16, Monday through Thursday from 4:00-8:00pm.
This is a hybrid course: online lectures and in-person skills class on campus. Clinicals are in-person at St. Paul College (times TBD).
There are 4 seats left and the last day to register is 10/01/2021. Students must be at least 16 years old, live in Ramsey county and have transportation.
*must meet eligibility requirements.
Reach out to Melissa Jorgensen in Career Services for more information.
Contact Melissa Jorgensen
Schedule an appointment w/ Ms. Jorgensen for support with CAREER PATHWAYS & PLANNING
Email: mjorgensen@isd622.org
Website: https://www.isd622.org/domain/1608
Phone: 651-702-8668
Contact Christina Forsythe
Email: cforsythe@isd622.org
Website: https://www.isd622.org/Domain/2441
Phone: 651-702-8655