Return to Main Menu

MUSC-CCSD project introduces students to careers by Cindy Abole Public Relations Learning how to use a reflex hammer or understanding the value of a good education were what elementary students heard and saw during this year’s “What I Want to Be” Day, a partnership between the Charleston County School District and MUSC. The event was held Jan. 12 at seven citywide schools in peninsular Charleston and involved more than 25 speakers from MUSC and MUSC Medical Center.   The project is managed by MUSC’s University and Medical Center Human Resources and school guidance counselors.      “This is a great program,” said Joel Warren, of the school district. “It’s important because students are exposed to professionals working in different fields at the hospital and institution. It helps open their eyes and connect to work and careers.”      The program was divided into morning and afternoon sessions held at Buist Academy, Charleston Progressive, Memminger, James Simmons, Fraser, Mitchell and Sanders-Clyde Elementary schools.   Physical Therapist Amy Maurer, MUSC Sports Medicine, demonstrates the elasticity of a Thera-Band with a James Simmons Elementary student during the Jan. 12 event. “This program is extremely valuable to MUSC, because it allows our employees the opportunity to go out into the community and respective schools and share their health care professions to students who might otherwise be unfamiliar with the variety of careers that are available to them beyond just being a nurse or physician,” said Nicole Mullinax, health care/nurse recruiter and coordinator of this program, Medical Center Human Resources.   Medical Center Safety and Security’s Archie Reid and Mark Gouda visited the students at James Simmons Elementary School. This is the third year they volunteered to participate in this career day program.   “I love the interaction with the kids,” said Reid, a retired Air Force Senior Master Sgt. and MUSC employee since 1998. “I think it’s important that successful adults find a way to give back to the community by doing something to assist others.”   Reid and Gouda introduced fifth graders to their roles in hospital security and spoke about the benefits of staying in school and fundamental values of playing fair, staying out of trouble and respecting authority.   Other MUSC participants represented various jobs and careers including: radiology, pediatric nurse, pharmacist, critical care nursing, physical therapy, public safety officer, nurse anesthetist and clinical neurophysiology technician.   “We’re delighted to support this program at James Simmons Elementary,” said Debra Davis, guidance counselor. “The visit fits in nicely with our school’s curriculum to introduce students to careers around the same time we conduct the PACT ( Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test). Almost everyone knows someone who either works or has been a patient at MUSC. It helps to connect those people with jobs as well as different careers at the hospital and institution.”     Friday, Jan. 19, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.