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Shadow Day provides up close view of careers by Cindy Abole Public Relations MUSC played host to Charleston County School District high school students interested in getting an up close look at health care jobs and careers at South Carolina’s premier academic medical center.   In support of February job shadowing activities  across the country, MUSC was among many Lowcountry employers and businesses who introduced area students to the workplace linking academics to careers.     On what's called Groundhog Shadow Day, students from Stall, Baptist Hill, and West Ashley high schools were paired with medical center and university departments throughout the morning. Job shadowing occurred at 10W, Digestive Disease Center, Ambulatory Care, Antepartum/Labor & Delivery, Cardiothoracic ICU, Heart & Vascular Center/Cath Lab, Emergency Department, Transplant Center, Hemapheresis, Human Resources, Pediatrics, Occupational and Physical therapies, Radiology, Risk Management, Biochemistry Research, Public Relations and Physical Plant.   The event opened with a welcome and recognition on Feb. 22 by Sabra Slaughter, Ph.D., chief of staff, Office of the President, and representatives from both the university and medical center Human Resources. Slaughter challenged the 40high school students to make the most of their shadowing day experiences by asking questions and valuing the opportunity.   “There’s value in learning from interaction with others,” said Slaughter, who also encouraged students to value their own health. “Be open to your surroundings and drink deeply from the knowledge and opportunities you’ll see today. I encourage everyone to share what they’ve learned today with your fellow students.”   “Groundhog Shadow Day is a great event that allows high school students the opportunity to see people in their professional environment and experience what that person does throughout the day,” said Nicole Mullinax, health care/nurse recruiter and shadow event organizer, Medical Center Human Resources. “As such, students get a ‘real view’ of the career verses just reading about it in a book.”   Baptist Hill High School seniors Tanganika Green and Shakonica Green (no relation) followed Heart and Interventional Radiology nurse Lynn Williams around MUSC’s Heart & Vascular Center. Williams walked them through registration and the department’s prep and recovery areas before taking them around to view different procedure rooms and meet staff working in the heart catheterization, electrophysiology and interventional radiology labs.   “This was a great experience and chance to understand a different view of nursing,” said Tanganika. “In this area, there’s so much technology surrounding nurses and staff. I’m also impressed by how the staff work in groups. There’s a lot of emphasis on team work.”   Later that morning, Williams and her “shadows” met privately to discuss their visit and answer specific questions about nursing and other career interests.       “It’s nice to be able to escort students who are excited about seeing our area. There was a lot of positive interaction going on among us,” said Williams, who is a venous access coordinator in Interventional Radiology and has worked in the Heart & Vascular Center since 1997.   As a follow-up to the event, participants were asked to share information and experiences with their peers through reports and presentations as part of their grade. In addition, School-to-Career coordinators shared some time reviewing the day with student-participants in what they learned, what they liked  and didn’t like, and what surprised them. Finally, the coordinators guided students in completing follow-up activities, such as sending out thank you notes to hosts.   “I loved the interaction and meeting new people through this program. Everyone made me feel so welcome in radiology,” said Sharvonte Gathers, 16, Baptist Hill High School.   “The job shadowing experience tends to mean different things to different students,” said Jodi Bateman, CCSD Schools-to-Careers coordinator. “For some, it reinforces what they already know [for example, ‘I am definitely going to be a nurse.’].  For others, it opens their eyes to other careers and possibilities or even helps them see what they don’t want to do.”     Friday, March 9, 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.