Gaining hands-on training in your career path while working towards a college degree

When you think about a career, what might come to mind? Maybe you found the right path in high school or while you’re in college or maybe you’re working in your career path before you walk across the stage.

“My grandmother was a nurse, and my mom and aunt have both worked in health care. So like it was an automatic like drive for me to go into health care, and I was really inspired by the people who took care of me when I was sick at times and like, Wow, these people are really passionate about what they do and caring for people. So I was just really passionate about caring for people.”

For Lake Superior College Nursing student and St. Luke’s Cardiac Inpatient Unit employee Miriam Kloss, that’s what illuminated her path down a career in healthcare. Some local college students have joined the St. Luke’s Hospital staff to advance their healthcare careers while getting their degrees.

LSC student and St. Luke’s Human Resource Assistant/Representative Ariana St. Germaine got interested in the healthcare field by listening to stories from her mom, a Registered Nurse. Through multiple potential directions in the field, nothing seemed to work until she looked at the option of marketing. Working in the Human Resources department has provided her with opportunities to see herself in a different light.

“You really get to understand, like yourself as a worker and the kind of field that you’re working in. I know how I am, like in the office setting, and like how you’re supposed to be in an office setting. I have a lot of opportunities and experiences under my belt now working in h.r. and which also works with marketing as well.”

If you’re considering a career in healthcare, students like The College of St. Scholastica senior and Clinic Record Reviewer in Quality Management have some advice about when to make these life choices.
“I would just tell people that they know more than they think. Just because you might not have the education doesn’t mean that you’re not going to learn it or that you don’t already know it. So don’t be afraid to get your feet wet, and get out there and get a position because you can do it.”