(From left to right) Kim Roberts, Rend Lake College; Brian Haynes, YouthBuild student; Latrenda Meyer, UMCH CiviCorps/YouthBuild; Jason Swann, Rend Lake College; and Brent Musgrave, Good Samaritan Regional Health Center.
Young adults from the YouthBuild program in Mt. Vernon were recently encouraged to plan for their futures by considering the many career opportunities available to them within the health care industry.
A presentation by Kalena Johnson, Director of the South Central Illinois Area Health Education Center, as well as several guest speakers, urged these individuals to consider the many benefits of a career in health care, including competitive salaries, opportunity for advancement, a high demand for workers, and the opportunity to work and live anywhere within the United States.
“By encouraging these individuals to consider a career in health care, we are not only encouraging them to meet their personal potential but also helping to build the health care workforce in our own rural communities,” stated Johnson.
Employees from Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon highlighted viable entry-level positions available at the hospital as well as the opportunity to grow and build a career within the organization. Pam Boshers, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services discussed the opportunities available for students through employment in Nutrition Services at Good Samaritan. Boshers explained the importance of the patient interaction within the Nutrition Services department. She stated that the employees within Nutrition Services have the chance to make a positive impact on the patients and their families each day. Boshers acknowledged the passion that she has for her career and described her fellow co-workers as her family.
Brent Musgrave, Laboratory Operations Manager at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center, discussed his career path and the love that he has for helping others. Musgrave highlighted his personal experience with the hospital and how it has changed his life. Musgrave discussed the employment opportunities available in the Laboratory as well as job shadowing opportunities available at Good Samaritan.
Jason C. Swann, Coordinator of Dual Credit and Recruitment at Rend Lake College, talked with the group of students about meeting their potential and the opportunities that were available to them at Rend Lake College. Swann described his willingness to help students who were willing to help themselves by stating, “There have probably been a lot of people in your lives that have extended their hand to push you down. I am here to extend my hand to help you up.” In addition, Kim Roberts, Allied Health Division Chair and Radiologic Technology Program Director, explained the different Allied Health programs available for the students at Rend Lake College and offered resources if needed. Roberts even met one-on-one with a student interested in the Radiology program.
“It is our hope that this program will assist students with their transitions into careers and the workforce. We offer support to any student interested in a career in health care,” stated Johnson. “We have opportunities available through the South Central Illinois Area Health Education Center’s Web site and Facebook. We are also willing to help link students to health career exposure opportunities.”
YouthBuild is a federal grant-funded program through the Department of Labor that serves young adults in Jefferson and Marion counties. The program focuses on providing academic training, job skill development, leadership development and community service. YouthBuild participants are typically low-income, at-risk high school dropouts between the ages of 17-24.
For more information on South Central Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC) programs, call Kathleen Howard at (618) 436-5653.