Contra Costa College hosted the Emergency Medical Sciences Program Day (EMED) on Friday. It served to teach high school students about the emergency and medical department available on campus.
Thirteen Richmond High School students aspiring to work in the medical field came to learn about the programs offered at CCC. The group of juniors are part of the Health Academy at their high school.
While on campus, they were given the opportunity to explore the resources available to EMED majors. Examples of careers include emergency responder, paramedics and nursing. The students also received time with counselors to discuss their goals and learn about the resources they have available to them.
Nancy Rynd, Career Technical Education grant coordinator, said she enjoys putting together programs for middle and high school students to explore career options. These programs are generally large, however this group was small, which provided opportunities for more individual attention.
At the closing of the event Rynd held a raffle. Each student was given the chance to participate in the drawing and the students whose names were called were encouraged to share what they learned from their experience at CCC. As a prize, each winner received a $5 gift card to Starbucks.
Student Diana Garcia was thrilled to share the powerful lesson that “no matter how bad you messed up in the past, you can always make it up.” Confident and passionate about helping people, she aspires to become an Emergency Room doctor.
She said this experience helped transform her way of thinking and gave her confidence. She learned that there are a plethora of benefits in going to a community college prior to transferring to a four-year university.
Sandy Cabrera, an aspiring pediatrician, learned about the variety of medical careers she can work in while pursuing her medical degree. She is interested in helping people, while also supporting herself.
The Health Academy lead teacher Rich Seeber said, “It introduced my students to opportunities (CCC) provides while in high school and after.”