Jasmine Brogdon ~ Staff Writer
“Get experiences early,” said Director of Career Development, Beverly Reid.
One such experience is the Health Science Fair. Hosted by Career Development and Internships (LC PRO+) and located in Hall Campus Ballroom, the event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The event is organized as a network opportunity.
Reid explained that the fair was originally exclusive to nursing, but as Lynchburg College developed more programs for those interested in the health field, the fair expanded to include those programs as well. Programs like health promotion, athletic training, doctors of physical therapy and physician’s assistant are now discussed at the fair.
Reid began her journey largely focused on the psychological field. While working at Virginia Wesleyan College in residence life, where she could choose different areas to pursue, she eventually landed in career development.
She smiled as she recalled how rewarded she felt carrying out work in this department. She spoke of how saddening it was to encounter students who had lost their way and wanted to quit school, or especially those battling depression. Her smile grew wider immediately upon vocalizing how workers in the department could give a student a career test, converse with him or her for an hour, and that person’s whole outlook was changed.
She voiced that it’s “good for them, but great for her;” the satisfied feeling of seeing a student walk out the door with a solidified direction was quite satisfying. She had given them a reason to stay, a new hope for their futures. This is the hope for the Health Science Fair for students to find or widen their paths.
Senior Erica Morris said, “For this year’s Science Fair, I would like to meet admissions reps from [Physical Assistant] P.A. schools in the East Coast United States because there are so many different PA schools, each with different
requirements.”
Reid accounts that everything about the health sciences is interesting. From the quickly changing atmosphere to the need to stay at the forefront of research to the great employment opportunities, she cares about this subject. She exclaimed that if she had another chance she would be in this field, but she quickly stated that she wouldn’t want to miss out on the opportunities she has now.
“What interests me most about Health Sciences is that, with the knowledge I learn, I can help people live healthier, happier lives,” said Morris; though the road is not easy for some that declare an interest in this field. Some influenced by a salary or a defining experience, like being on a sports team and seeing a dedicated health science worker handle a hard situation, self-select out of the program.
Morris described her experience: “One afternoon as God was enlightening me, I caught sight of a (…) web. Bound inside (…) was a horse-fly struggling relentlessly for freedom. I watched, realizing that without my intervention the fly would now meet his death. Either the (…) spider would rip off his head and slurp his guts (…) or by a portion of God’s grace his struggles would set him free.”
“In that moment I learned (…) that life matters most of all. One of literature’s greatest works, the “Iliad,” describes Achilles’ reaction to the afterlife [as he] tells Odysseus that ‘he would rather be a poor man’s living slave than king of the dead.’ I too share the same sentiment. Life is not only most important to me, it is most valuable, and my respect for life and all things living influences how I interact with my community and environment.”
She declared that she is proud to be a Health Science enthusiast and hopes to rule the world, one fly at a time.
Reid said that there is a lot of science in this work, and some find that they do not enjoy that kind of work. Reid suggested that students study hard their first year and pay attention to their introductory science classes. It is recommended to shadow someone in this field. Attending the event is geared toward helping one gain perspective.
Students are encouraged to bring a resume to the event, even if no employer takes it. They are federally mandated to take online applications; bringing a resume is to simply let them know one plans to apply. If one needs help with refining a resume, he or she can make an appointment with the director or call the office. They also have walk-in hours. One should be professionally dressed.
“No jeans,” heartily declared Reid.
Companies like Centra and graduate representatives are there to provide information, so one should have questions. These representatives and employers come from a wide range of places across Virginia, as well as a few other states, and they are interested in Lynchburg College students.
Reid stated “that anyone remotely interested should attend the fair. Talking to recruiters and employers is an enlightening experience. She surmises that not many first-years understand they are welcome to converse about salary and graduate programs. Many graduate programs at LC are not well-known. It would be beneficial to get information first hand, instead of just out of her mouth or one’s professors.”
