Tom’s River During a much-anticipated career fair, over 250 students spoke with representatives from more than 40 healthcare employers on the front lawn of Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s (OCVTS) Toms River campus.
Although the program was centered around opportunity, some people were more interested in purpose than employment opportunities.
Employers from Ocean and Monmouth counties come to OCVTS’s annual healthcare career fair to network with aspiring healthcare professionals. It has become a trademark event for the organization. The goal of the fair is to close the gap between professional opportunities and classroom education.
Behind display tables, representatives from home health care companies, dentist offices, rehabilitation facilities, fitness clubs, and hospitals took inquiries and resumes from young, prospective professionals. The school’s health programs, which include dental assisting, medical assisting, pre-nursing, and practical nursing, have attracted a wide range of students who are dedicated to either advancing their education or entering the job.
Barnegat’s Mary Kate Opel is one of them.Students from high schools come to learn more about potential careers in medicine. (Image courtesy of Stephanie Faughnan)
At 34, Opel has successfully finished the rigorous 10-month Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program at the institution, which is a quick-paced course intended for post-secondary students. She has prior experience working as a pharmacy technician and is currently employed on a per diem basis at Ocean University Medical Center in Brick. She desired more, though.
Opel stated, “I knew I wanted to get into actual hands-on medicine.” I knew I wanted to help people, but I wasn’t precisely sure which way I would go. This is only the beginning.
According to Opel, she found the clinical rotations and the work required to get ready for the NCLEX licensing exam enjoyable. She says the program is fantastic, even with its daily tests, fast-paced environment, and demanding workload.
She felt the teachers are excellent. In addition to holding us responsible, they provide us with unwavering support both during and after the program. Every time someone passes their boards, they rejoice and give out job openings. Our names are written on a wall in the office.
Opel admitted that she had reservations about returning to school in her 30s, but she found support from her peers, who come from all walks of life.
“We have career changers, single parents, and recent high school graduates,” she said. One of the women in my class is forty-three. Despite our differences, we are all there for the same reason.
Opel already knows where she wants to go, but her classmates may eventually pursue a range of specialties.
“I want to work in hospice care as a registered nurse,” she stated. For me, it’s personal. When I was young, my dad passed away from cancer, and the hospice nurses were amazing. Not only did they look after my dad, but they also looked after us. It was more than just a passing person. It was about ensuring the backing of all parties. I wish to return the favor.
OCVTS only accepts students who have completed high school to enroll in its LPN program. On the other hand, Ocean County high school students have the option to sign up for shared-time programs on campus. Currently enrolled in the Medical Assisting program, Gabriella Ardilesles and Zafer Kose divide their days between OCVTS and Toms River North High School. With their resumes looking professional, the two, who will graduate next year, went to the Community Medical Center table to look into volunteer options.
Gabriella stated, “I want to help people, which is why I’m interested in medical assisting.” She also acknowledged that she would like to gain some practical experience prior to graduating.
For these kids, resume construction is a component of the curriculum. Three distinct professional presentation sessions are taught by OCVTS experts, guaranteeing that each student is prepared to make an impression on prospective employers during the fair.
OCVTS provides a wide range of health-related programs designed to satisfy the industry’s increasing demand:
The pre-nursing program gives students the fundamental knowledge they need to continue their nursing education.
Medical Assisting: Equips students to perform clinical and administrative tasks in medical offices.
A full-time, expedited post-secondary curriculum that leads to licensing is called Practical Nursing (LPN).
Dental assistants instruct patients in dental operations, sterilization, and patient preparation.
Health & Fitness Technology: Combines personal training abilities with wellness advice.At OCVTS’s annual healthcare career fair, students interact with recruiters to learn about practical opportunities in the medical industry. (Image courtesy of Stephanie Faughnan)
Numerous Possibilities
Students had lots to explore from dentistry clinics and urgent care centers to senior living facilities and home health care agencies, since there were forty-three healthcare firms present.
Speaking on behalf of Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates, Lori Losacco, a registered dental assistant herself, attended the employment fair. She stated that she has taken part in the event several times and is consistently amazed by the quality of the kids that study dental assisting.
According to Losacco, we presently have two program participants working in our office. Every year, we hire from this place. It gives the students a fantastic chance to talk to experts in the subject and connects us with people who are enthusiastic about what they do.
Losacco stressed the importance of exposing students to a range of dental specialties, including periodontics, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, and general dentistry.
According to her, it aids in their specialty exploration. Although it may be their first move, this sets the tone for their future.
In addition to gathering resumes, representatives talked about volunteer opportunities, internships, and job openings. Some immediately offered interviews.
OCVTS’ strategy is not just timely but also transformative at a time when the healthcare sector is dealing with a shortage of employees and rising demand. There was more to the event than just distributing resumes. It was about establishing roots in a profession, and often a vocation.
