BUILDING BRIDGES
Students explore future health care careers at MCCC
Phoenixville Area High School students got the chance to look at the health care field from a unique perspective on Thursday.
About 35 students came together at Montgomery County Community College’s West Campus to get a closer look at career options in health care field. As part of the Bridge to Employment program, students got hands-on opportunities to explore careers in medical assisting, surgical technology and radiography.
“We work with a cohort of 38 students who are in their sophomore year through senior year,” said Erica Spangler, the program’s director. “They are learning about different careers within the healthcare sector and also preparing for college.”
Students were divided into four groups of about nine or 10 people to spend 20 minutes with trained professionals in the fields. They then participated in activities aimed at providing a hands-on approach to the specific field. Students took part in activities including an instrument scramble that was part of the surgical technology rotation and exercises on pulse points in the medical assisting rotation.
“A number of students were encouraged to apply when they were freshmen at Phoe-
nixville Area High School and there’s an application process and students were selected from there,” explained Spangler.
The Bridge to Employment program is a partnership with Johnson & Johnson diabetes care companies in Chesterbrook, Phoenixville Area High School and Montgomery County Community College. The events Thursday were the first part of a three-year program that is managed through the partnership.
Following the workshops, students met with career coaches who spoke with them about goals and skill exercises.
“The kids have really enjoyed the opportunity. Every month they want to come back for the activity,” said Christine Skonieczny a counselor at Phoenixville Area High School. “There’s a lot of excitement about it. I’m excited that they’re getting so much out of it. It’s not only what they’re getting out of it but the fun they’re having as well.”
This is the initiative’s first year as a partner with Phoenixville Area High School but its 25th year in operation globally.
The program’s major goals include preparing students for college and preparing them for careers in the health care fields.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to really help out our community and to give students a chance that many of us either had or wish we had growing up,” said Thomas McCann with Johnson & Johnson. “So I’m very excited and I’m looking forward to keeping this going over the next two years.”