Seventeen-year-old Ben Landry doesn’t know exactly which career path he will take just yet, but after considering the advice of MCH staff at the hospital’s annual Career Day, he may be better educated about future job prospects and his post-secondary education options.
“I’m really interested in psychology and physiotherapy,” said Landry, a secondary 5 student from Centennial Academy visiting the MCH last Wednesday, “but I still haven’t made a decision.”
It was the same scenario for his classmate Alex Patton, who said he came to the event because of an interest in health sciences, and to explore the options.
For many high school students, deciding which career path to pursue can be a daunting one. Will it be sciences or arts? A 3-year professional program or university? With so many options to choose from, it can sometimes be difficult to look past the academic requirements to consider what the day-to-day professional experience of a surgeon, a nurse or a pharmacist might look like.
Students were therefore delighted to be briefed on everything from educational requirements to salary expectations by MCH physicians, nurses and allied health professionals. Among the presenters were Johanne Boyer, Respiratory therapist, Dr. Sherif Emil, Director of Pediatric General Surgery, Jessika Truong, oncology pharmacist, Vincent Ballenas, Nurse Educator, Demetra Kafantaris, hospital administration, Dr. Pia Wintermark, neonatologist and researcher, and finally Dr. Preetha Krishnamoorthy, who spoke to students about being an endocrinologist.
As the day came to end, many students agreed they were leaving with a better understanding of a career in healthcare, which would ultimately help guide their decision about future education plans.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a healthcare worker for a day? Find out what it’s like to spend a week in the life of Dr. Emil, or enter the world of nursing by watching our Career Day videos at
www.youtube.com/thechildrens .
