WLC is dedicated to building rural community partnerships with businesses. Through internships, job shadows and career events, students in our rural communities are gaining better insight into opportunities in their own backyard.
We recently spoke with two Iowa county businesses, Marengo Memorial Hospital and Monsanto about their experiences working with WLC.
Marengo Memorial's Mary Warwick, Director of Administrative Services, Marketing Specialist; Tina Welsh, RN, and Sara Magill, DNP from Marengo Memorial Hospital:
Why does Marengo Hospital work with WLC?
Marengo Memorial Hospital values the relationship we have with our area businesses and students. We support our area youth and anticipate that by allowing them to job shadow they can see the value that the medical field has in our communities and the importance of the need to continue strong facilities, like ours, in rural Iowa.
What value do you see in hosting students in job shadows/internships?
I value the perspective of what the consumer may not see on a day to day basis. Specifically with healthcare, patients do not see what happens in the other rooms, the thought process into treatments and the inner workings of "the machine." Most young people wanting to go into healthcare, whether it's administration, nursing or medicine, are intrigued by the science, however there is much more to it, than that. Providing an experience to immerse the student into the situation may help them develop their own career values and thus help them make educated choices for their future.
Students get to see the professional they have chosen to follow actually perform their job not just reading about it or talking to someone about their profession. This may definitely influence their decision.
With the current and future shortage of healthcare staff members, do you feel the connections made during the job shadows/internships helps to guide the students into the career field?
We feel confident that students will enjoy their experience in our rural setting where their skills can be expanded throughout many lines of work. A nurse can find herself covering inpatient, working the emergency department, assisting in surgery or specializing in the clinics. Students can learn that by choosing a career path, there are options from that choice that extend beyond one specific line.
What one experience stands out from a job shadow/internship?
One student did a job shadow with nursing and a few days later I spoke with her Mom and she told me that her daughter really enjoyed the job shadow and wasn't that interested in nursing until the job shadow and now is convinced she wants to be a nurse.
What advice do you have for those businesses that are apprehensive about hosting students in the health and science career fields?
We find that hosting these students is not only a benefit to them, but to our facility as well. You never know when you may be making an impression on a young mind and they decide at that moment that a smaller community hospital is where they want their future to be!
Anything else to add?
We've enjoyed our relationship with WLC. We have many aspects we partner with them on - job shadowing, internships, elementary and high school tours, literacy fairs and more!
Brett Wilson,
Monsanto Company, W
illiamsburg Site Lead
Why does Monsanto work with WLC?
Monsanto seeks out opportunities to help enrich the community in a variety of ways. One very important enrichment opportunity happens to be the development of future leaders in the community.
What value do you see in hosting students in job shadows?
Providing students with insights to the working atmosphere is critical for them to be able to choose the right path in regard to education and skill sets they need.
Do you feel the connections made during the job shadows helps to guide the students into the career field?
Making connections is a critical skill set in any career path. It does not always matter what occupation you make connections within, but just making them provides a great deal of value for organizations.
What advice do you have for those businesses that are apprehensive about hosting students?
Hosting students not only helps build future leaders for our businesses, it also helps students understand what types of careers there are, and ultimately helps them make better decisions in regard to their education.
Rich Reasner, Williamsburg HS Counselor
Laurie Donald,
