ROCHESTER, Minn.- Mayo Clinic introduced students in Rochester area schools to a wide variety of fields in health care at its 20th annual career fair on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Mayo Civic Center.
The event was attended by over 1,500 students according to Tim Faber, one the event’s organizers.
Students had a chance to attend seminars, see practical demonstrations and talk with professionals in a variety of health care professions.
“It gives them an example of what a career in health care may be. Some may have very pointed interests for our advanced degree careers. others may be interested in healthcare but may not have a full command of all the different roles,” Faber said.
Of those present, 60 were students in Rochester P-Tech programs, getting practical education in nursing to prepare them for a career after graduation.
Kari Anderson, a P-Tech school leader, said that for P-Tech students the day’s events were a good chance for them to touch base with professionals who are certified in the fields they are already working towards.
One of those students, Amaya James, a 10th grader at John Marshall High School who is in the P-Tech program said the practical demonstrations were a big part of the draw of the event for her, especially with her desire to eventually work in patient care.
“I think it was really cool,” James said.
Mayo Clinic staff, like Jennifer Storlie, an operations manager for inpatient phlebotomy, who has been tabling the event for 15 years, says the event is also a great opportunity to help students who are undecided about what kind of healthcare they want to pursue narrow down their options.
“Unless you get an opportunity to attend an event like this, you’re not given that experience to understand it. It’s a great opportunity to show them some hands on, you know just get in there and have fun with other Mayo Clinic staff who can share their passion about why they’re here,” Storlie said.
Mayo Clinic also has plans to hold a walk-in hiring event for professionals of all ages as a follow up to the fair on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mayo Civic Center.