Job-Shadowing Events Help Hall High Students See Academic, Career Opportunities at UAMS
| A group of students from the Hall-West High School of Innovation recently spent six days on the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) campus shadowing health professionals and learning about the academic and career opportunities available to them after they graduate in May.
The February events were organized by UAMS Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships as part of its Research Academic Mentorship Pathway program. For seniors at Hall High’s health sciences academy, the program offers the chance to meet with representatives from UAMS’ five colleges and graduate school and to build the skills they’ll need to excel in their careers.
Instructors encouraged the students to carry themselves as professionals, knowing that the employees they encountered in the halls of UAMS could one day be their colleagues.
“I don’t want people here to see you as Hall High students,” said Bridgette Edmondson, a program facilitator. “I want them to see you as prospects in the talent pool.”
Students and instructors from the Hall-West High School of Innovation are shown at UAMS. In the back row are Nicholas Pettus, manager of student recruitment for UAMS Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships, and Bridgette Edmondson, a program facilitator.Image by Chris Carmody
The students took this advice to heart. As they waited for elevators or ate lunch in the cafeteria, they mingled with employees and asked them questions about what it’s like to work at UAMS.
“These spontaneous encounters have such an impact on the aspirations of the students,” said Nicholas Pettus, manager of student recruitment for UAMS Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships. “When they see how many health professionals are eager to offer them encouragement and inspiration, it becomes a lot easier to envision an education or a career at UAMS.”
Each day began with a career workshop that showed the students how to succeed in the job market. Edmondson reviewed their resumes and offered suggestions on how they could better draw the attention of prospective employers. Regina Russell, MBA, talent acquisition manager in the UAMS Office of Human Resources, led discussions about what to expect during interviews and how to stand out from other applicants.
The students learned that UAMS has a variety of entry-level positions that don’t require a college degree, providing the opportunity for them to gain a foothold in the health care field. Several people expressed an interest in applying for those jobs after high school.
During the afternoon sessions, the students split into smaller groups to explore health care specialties such as diagnostic medical sonography, medical laboratory sciences, nuclear medicine, radiology, and respiratory therapy. They toured several hospital departments and learned about the high-tech imaging equipment that is used to diagnose patients.
The small-group format gave the students more time to meet with health professionals and ask in-depth questions about their day-to-day responsibilities and educational backgrounds. Students who are interested in those careers asked about the prerequisite courses they’ll need to take before they apply for academic programs at UAMS.
Summer Khairi (right), Ph.D., talks to Hall High students about UAMS’ Nuclear Medicine Imaging Sciences Program. The small-group format gave students more time to meet with health professionals and ask in-depth questions.Image by Chris Carmody
Sabriyah Raheem, an aspiring pediatric oncologist, said the sessions were very informative. For example, she learned that earning a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory sciences would help her stand out when it’s time to apply for medical school.
“Even though my career choice hasn’t changed, I’ve seen that there might be a different pathway to get there,” she said.
Raheem has chosen to continue her education at Tennessee State University, but she said she is interested in coming to UAMS for her medical degree once she completes her undergraduate coursework.
Irene Perez, who plans to attend Lyon College with a double major in psychology and neuroscience, said the students benefit from seeing these careers even if they don’t intend to pursue them.
“I know that when I enter the health care field, I’m going to work with people from other disciplines,” she said. “It’s very beneficial for us to understand how all of these branches make contributions in diagnosing and caring for patients.”
The students’ experience in the Research Academic Mentorship Pathway program began last fall. During the school year, they have attended workshops that featured mock interviews, lessons on how to prepare a resume, career-exploration activities, and discussions about workplace conduct.
Lawanna Harris, an instructor for Hall High’s health sciences academy, said the collaboration with UAMS has made an impression on her students.
“I have seen them become so dedicated to this program,” she said. “Even after we get back to school, they continue to discuss the things they’ve learned and experienced at UAMS.”
Nicholas Pettus (left) encouraged the students to remain in contact with one another during the next stages of their lives, noting that all of them have the ability to become leaders in the health care field.Image by Chris Carmody
Shanea Nelson, Ph.D., senior director for UAMS Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships, said she hopes the program gives students a head start in college and in their careers.
“All the hard work they’re putting in now will have a significant impact on the health of Arkansans in the future,” she said.
On the final day of job-shadowing, Pettus urged the students to remain in contact with one another during the next stages of their lives, noting that all of them have the ability to become leaders in the health care field.
“Keep taking advantage of every opportunity that is given to you,” he told them. “Lean into every experience that will push you to be a better professional and a better person.”