Be a CTE Career Coach

No teaching experience is necessary. Help prepare students for the “world of work.” Give students an opportunity to work with a professional in their field of study. Share job, career and business experience. Tell the students how you got where you are.
 

“I have been volunteering regularly at Henninger for the last 4 years and it is as important to me as working with my patients and staff at the hospital.  One of my favorite parts of volunteering this year is seeing the same students each month and recognizing them and having them recognize me.  Then we can be ourselves and talk and work together to get stuff done.  I get so much from the students when they ask questions, it invigorates me to answer them, and I really reflect on what the students are trying to gain with the answers.  Because we are honest with each other and familiar, you can feel the difference a conversation might make in their life and yours.

The other thing I love is having students come to the hospital and shadow health careers. Working in healthcare is so exciting and there are so many jobs that people don't even know exist. Making a connection with the students and then having them come see what we do in an actual day is the most rewarding experience for me and the students who come.  I get so excited about my job every time I get to describe it to the students, I love when the students say, “You do that?!" and I can say "Yes, come watch!"  I hope it helps the students realize even if they don't want to be a Respiratory Therapist, they can have a job that they love and are excited about.” 

Adrienne Hickey
Associate Director, Upstate University Hospital
Respiratory Therapy Department