Job Shadow Days give local students a look into their future

A career in healthcare can be challenging, but also rewarding. For the next generation of healthcare workers, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Community Health and Wellness Department recently helped them look into their future with two Job Shadow Days. The hospital hosted a group of 12 high school students from several Boston Public Schools on a day dedicated to exploring some of the various roles within the hospital. Later, 10 additional students visited on a day dedicated to careers in nursing. The goal of the program is to provide students with a better understanding of the skills and education necessary to succeed in healthcare.

On the first Job Shadow Day, the program began with a welcome and introduction to Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital and an overview of hospital policies and information regarding HIPAA. Students were then assigned to a mentor who they shadowed. Later, the students gathered together to discuss their experiences.

Community Health and Wellness Assistant Katie Plante, who coordinated the day, says, “The students were great—attentive and interested. We really appreciate the mentors taking time to show them the variety of jobs that are possible in a hospital setting. Sometimes students don’t realize the wide range of positions available to them and Job Shadow Day is always a really great way to open their minds.”

Director of Community Health and Wellness Tracy Sylven, who coordinated the Nursing Job Shadow Day, also found her students to be engaged. “This is a great way for students interested in the nursing field to talk with a wide variety of nurses in all areas and learn about the tremendous flexibility and diversity in the field. This group of students came prepared with questions and were enthusiastic about their experience at the conclusion.”