Allied Health Careers Exploration Night at Springfield Technical Community College brought in students and area residents looking to learn more about the STCC programs.
The event in Building 20 on Nov. 16 was designed for people interested finding an pathway to becoming a healthcare professional. Some were interested in changing careers. The night offered a chance to talk to students and faculty in any of the 19 programs and find out if the healthcare field is a good fit.
“I talked to a lot of people and answered questions,” said Emma Tokgoz, a student in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. “They were asking if it is a tough program, of if they need to take some extra credits.”
Tokgoz told visitors it can be a tough program, but it’s worth putting in the work. Students learn to use special imaging equipment to create images or conduct tests. Their rewarding work helps doctors in the diagnosis of disease or injury.
Another student, Sandy Noel, is studying Medical Assisting. She said the exploration night gives people a chance to learn about programs they might not have even known existed.
“We want to make people aware that it’s available. We can explain what we do,” Noel said.
She loves the STCC Medical Assistant Program. Graduates of the program can find jobs where they apply administrative and clinical skills in a variety of healthcare settings including doctors’ offices and hospitals. About 150 people came to the three-hour event which featured tours of STCC’s SIMS Medical Center, a nationally recognized patient simulation facility, and tours of departments. In addition to meeting faculty and current students, visitors were able to observe demonstrations and hands-on activities.
