the professional’s job is like. Many healthcare Travel Experiences
professionals participate in National Another opportunity to volunteer is through
Groundhog Job Shadowing Day, which is medical service trips sponsored by churches,
CREATE a Career
observed on February 2 by schools across universities, and nonprofit organizations.
the country. These trips provide medical care for people in
PORTFOLIO
During an internship, a student gets more impoverished places around the world.
in-depth experience by working for an Summer programs are yet another way
One valuable tool that can help you get
employer in a mentoring-type relationship. to get experience outside the classroom.
ready for college and beyond is a career
Some internships offer pay in addition to the The 10-day National Youth Leadership
portfolio—a collection of items that
educational experience. Forum on Medicine (NYLF) is recommended
document your achievements both in
Unpaid volunteer work is also plentiful in for most of the programs of study in
and out of school, assembled in one
health science, says Heater. “Start out as a health science.
convenient package.
volunteer and do a quality job—be on time, be “These opportunities give students more of
A career portfolio is not simply
dependable, ask questions, take initiative,” she a worldwide view,” says Heater. Students
a resume, although it can certainly
says. Sometimes the experience can result in a learn about a broad range of health topics in
include one. So what should go in a
part-time or full-time job. the NYLF and are introduced to professionals
career portfolio? A variety of things,
Donnelly suggests that students contact the and faculty from some of the nation’s top
depending on your own personal
volunteer services department at a local hospital. medical centers and schools. They also take
experiences. It could include transcripts
“Most have very active volunteer organizations,” part in a simulation that challenges them
and grades; writing samples; letters
he says. “M.D. Anderson has about 3,000 to to make recommendations for a public
of recommendation from teachers,
4,000 volunteers at any given time.” health issue.
mentors, or employers; awards you’ve
received; and items that document
other activities, such as internships and
S P o T L I G H T
job shadowing experiences.
“You need to be specific—dates, how
many years, any awards, what they
meant, and who you received them

HANDS oN HEALtH
state advisor for Hosa’s Texas association.
from,” says Grace Brauchle, who helps

students in hosa and BPa
“There are a lot of things offered to students that
students put their portfolios together
they wouldn’t have the opportunity to participate
as the career center coordinator for
Practice health career skills
in if they weren’t involved in Hosa.”
Lehman High School in Kyle.
T
he emergency medical helicopter flew in and
Hosa is an organization for students interested
Brauchle says portfolios come in
landed. High school students gathered around
in health careers. leadership opportunities are
handy when students apply for jobs or
while the flight’s medical crew demonstrated how
available at fall and spring conferences, as well as
admission to college. “First impressions
a patient is placed on the stretcher and put in the
a state leadership conference every year.
are a very big thing,” she says, “and
helicopter. The crew explained their jobs and the
students can demonstrate their medical skills
you want to be the one whose papers
required training.
in more than 40 competitive events, says Brown.
get passed around the office. You want
This was not an ordinary experience for a high
“It allows students to show off what they’ve
to be the one where the admissions
school student. members of Health occupations
learned in the classroom and in Hosa,” she says.
counselors say, ‘Wow, look at this one!’”
students of america (Hosa), however, have such
Because delivery of medical care is a business,
And a portfolio doesn’t have to be
experiences all the time, says patricia Brown,
many health science students also take part
simply a collection of papers. Artists
in competitive events organized by Business
and photographers use their portfolios
professionals of america (Bpa). students
to provide visual examples of their
compete in traditional business categories
work, and so can you. Do you have
such as computerized accounting and human
photos of someone giving you an
resource management, but also display
award? Put them in. How about a video
healthcare business skills in events such as
of a performance? Include it on a DVD.
medical office procedures, medical terminology,
Do you have experience in Web design?
and medical transcription.
Make an online portfolio to showcase
what you can do.
Page 15
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24