Beacon Health and Washington High School host Career Day

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - High school students were invited for Beacon Career Day to learn about career opportunities after graduation. 

The event took place at Washington High School's auxiliary gym with various booths from Ivy Tech, IU-South Bend and Grand Canyon, who showcased different professions, schools or organizations that students could choose from. 

For Washington senior Leeana Hudson, career day was an opportunity to learn about different career paths that didn't occur to her before. 

"They can learn something new or realize that doing something that you want, or you didn't think you might want is not that far out of range," she said. 

Washington High School hosts SBCSC's Medical Allied Health Science Magnet, which partners students with Ivy Tech to take certification exams in EKG, patient care or pharmacy technician. 

In collaboration with their medical magnet program, students can learn about clinical and non-clinical positions such as nursing, surgery, radiology, fitness, sports medicine, laboratory, facilities management and nutritional services.

EMTs and an ambulance from Beacon Health were also present for students to engage, inspire and spark interest in healthcare careers. 

Jeremy Gillespie, the Director of Talent Acquisition & Workforce Development for Beacon Health System, presses on the importance to "plant seeds and create awareness about healthcare careers."

He wants students to know there's more options in healthcare than just a doctor or nurse. 

"There's phlebotomist, there's nutritional services, there's all kinds of non-clinical roles that help support our patients," said Gillespie. 

As Washington's first career day, Principal Kenard Robinson was excited to help students get to the next level. 

"Whether that is college and career readiness, or just making sure that they are reaching their full potential while they're here with us," said Robinson. 

For principal Kenard and student Leeana Hudson, Career Day also shows the breadth and opportunity offered at Washington, counteracting its reputation. 

"It means a lot to me because Washington doesn't always have the best rep," Hudson said. "So, to bring people in and show them that we can host things like this. [...] Just makes other people think that 'Oh, maybe it's not that bad' or 'It's not that different from anywhere else."

From career day to investing in students' day to day education, Kenard says Washington is a school who cares. 

"I often tell people that [...] the outside perception is not the inside reality," he said "We're a school for the community, we are a school for the people. And most of all, we care about our kids. So, we're going to do out of the box thinking out of the box activities to make sure that the community and our students know that we are 100% behind you."