E&F staff adds career session to
Day of Caring
Engineering
& Facilities (E&F) and the Trident United Way
teamed up on Sept. 11 for the 2007 Day of Caring. Thirty employees, a
Department of Medicine building manager and other volunteers made up
the team that spent the day at Septima P. Clark Corporate Academy, a
magnet high school on James Island that focuses on removing obstacles
and distractions that prevent students from being academically
successful.
MUSC's Tana
Humbert, right, bags leaves with students from Septima P. Clark
Corporate Academy Sept. 11 as part of the Day of Caring.E&F’s Mike Schultz coordinated the planned activities that included cleaning and landscaping the school grounds. However, after a discussion with the school’s program coordinator, career information sessions were added to the day’s goals.
Upon arrival, Kevin McClelland, Clark Academy program director, and Courtney Winders, Communities In Schools volunteer coordinator, welcomed the team and explained the high school’s mission and how it fits with other Charleston County schools.
E&F staff involved with this event included Schultz, Tana Humbert, Steve McLawhorn, Jacob Prevost, Josie Rowell, Roger Rowell, Tara Frazier, Jennifer Hoel, Billy Condon, Arthur Brown, Ralph Anavante, Mike Barrett, Nathaniel Logan, Herman Allen, John Malmrose, Pete Rock, William Brisbane, George Melfi, Gerhard Shanks, Jim Strobel, Gerald McKee, Sim Parrish, Tom Thurman, Anthony Rogers, Isiah White, Richard Vandross, Richard Thompson and Bryan Hoops.
As the team began trimming trees and shrubs, pulling weeds, and cleaning the courtyard, MUSC carpenters hung lockers in the gym. Working side by side with teachers and students, the academy’s landscape improved dramatically.
At the same time, several members of MUSC’s team spoke about careers and career planning to students within individual classes. Volunteers John Eilerman, Prevost, Brown, Brisbane, and Malmrose explained a typical work day—offering details about salary and benefits, and discussed the many career opportunities within E&F. The students also were encouraged to ask questions and describe their career goals.
In addition to small class sessions, a roundtable discussion also was held for students. MUSC's Niel Eichman, Frazier, Allen, Brisbane, Brown, McLawhorn and Schultz spoke to a packed auditorium about career planning. They shared background on their education and job experience as they engaged students in a discussion about careers in engineering, the construction industry and MUSC jobs.
E&F’s effort inspired career discussion within the classrooms in the days following the visit.
The group will continue its connection with Clark Academy and will collaborate to host a shadowing day for interested students.
Friday, Sept. 21, 2007
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