ELOs Help Health Science Students Explore a Variety of Careers



Elizabeth Guertin wants to be a dentist. And so while most second year CRTC Health Science students were working toward their LNA license or EMT certification during the last school year, Elizabeth was job shadowing with a number of Concord area dentists. That exposure blossomed into an internship with a local dental practice and enrollment into the pre-dental program at the University of New England.


“Thanks to my extended learning opportunity (ELO), I was able to explore the different specialities within the dental field and build a network within the local dental community,” the former Bow High School student said. “I will be applying a year early to dental school, and all the clinical hours and experiences I have from my Health Science ELO will be valid in my application!”


Most CRTC Health Science students join the program because they are interested in becoming nurses or working in trauma, said Health Science teacher Brian Beauman. As a result, the focus of much of the program’s second year is on LNA and EMT education, training and work-based learning experiences on ambulance ride alongs or in local nursing homes. However, there’s a wide range of career pathways under the Health Science umbrella, and an increasing number of students are taking part in ELOs exploring those fields, he said.


Past Health Science student ELO experiences have included independent study in the fields of radiology, sonography, prosthetics, pediatrics, occupational therapy and psychiatry. This school year there are eight students engaged in ELOs that include veterinary science, human genetics, athletic training and fitness, and physical therapy.


“I think it’s important that we offer students a choice to explore career fields that they have an interest in,” Mr. Beauman said. “These ELOs serve as a reality check by either confirming their passions for what they want to do, or letting them know that they don’t want to do this before they spend money in college finding that out.”


For Elizabeth Guertin, her ELO experience confirmed her interest in a career in dentistry, and set her up for success at the postsecondary level.


“I will never forget the CRTC,” she said. “I truly believe the education and experience I gained there helped me to get to where I am today.”


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  April is Admissions Month at CRTC Over the past several weeks CRTC staff has had to make some pretty tough decisions as they’ve sifted through applications to determine the make up September’s Year I classes, and have carefully reviewed each first year student’s SPUR assessments to decide who would be invited back to complete their second year. Year I students and new applicants already should have received notification letters or emails that inform them of their status and provide instructions for next steps. Any student who has not yet received notification should talk to their CRTC teacher or call the CRTC office. Each year we have more qualified students than we have open seats in our programs, so it’s necessary to make some difficult decisions. Some students who are not outright accepted or invited back have been placed on a waitlist for any available openings before the next school year, or have been asked to sign a conditional contract, which outlines a number of steps student
Read more
Image
  Meet Our Teachers:  Gail Beaudoin, Criminal Justice CRTC programs are a blend of rigorous academics and applied learning that provide students with the opportunity to explore their interests, talents and career ambitions. The lynchpin in these programs is the unique character of the CRTC teacher, who typically has years of industry experience before making the transition to the classroom.  The CRTC Criminal Justice teacher, Gail Beaudoin, has over three decades of law enforcement experience, including 11 years as a Criminal Bureau detective, and was the first female in the Chelmsford, MA, Police Department to attain the rank of Lieutenant. She holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from UMass, and spent 15 years as an adjunct professor in Criminal Justice at UMass, Lowell. Learn a little more about our Criminal Justice teacher by reading this month’s CRTC Teacher Q & A . How long have you been a Career and Technical Education teacher? I’ve been teaching Criminal Justice at t
Read more
Image
  Meet Our Staff: Kathy Connor, CRTC Administrative Assistant The CRTC serves almost 700 students from nine regional school districts offering 11 career pathway programs. The CRTC’s two administrative assistants work to coordinate program funding, facilitate student transportation and liaison with parents, industry partners and sending school administrations. They are the face of CRTC in the front office, as well as a sympathetic ear handling a constant stream of student questions and concerns. Learn a little more about our new CRTC Administrative Assistant Kathy Connor by reading this month’s CRTC Teacher Q&A. How long have you worked in Career and Technical Education? This is my first position in an educational setting. I am looking forward to learning more about it as I progress in my job. What industry experience did you bring to your position in the CRTC? I have worked in the administrative field since I graduated high school. Business/Secretarial was my major. I have experien
Read more