During the Mitchell High School Career Development Day held on Thursday, Feb. 9 at Baptist Memphis, high school students interested in health care heard first hand from Baptist team members about jobs, career advice—and even life advice.
Organized by Baptist Community Relations, the students arrived at Baptist after spending the morning at the movies watching “Hidden Figures.” While enjoying a box lunch, the students heard speakers from many Baptist departments, including Corporate Communications, Human Resources, Nursing and Legal. Claude Vinson, executive director of Medical Financial Services, gave sound legal advice to the curious group.
“Protect your credit. Pay your bills on time,” he said more than once.
Staff attorney Laurie Christensen captured the room with her compelling personal story about becoming a lawyer. “No matter what you do, if you take a positive attitude to every single job, you will learn,” she said.
Highly engaged, the students asked speakers many questions as they learned that a hospital is more than nurses and doctors. Four students, Terry Ailsworth, Markeisha Thompson, Ladaja Braggs and Thomas Smith, all plan to pursue medical careers. “My grandma had cancer and was in hospice at home. I helped take care of her and enjoyed taking care of her,” said Markeisha. For Thomas, his interest also came from his grandma. “I’m always interested in the home remedies she uses.”
More than 30 students attended the event, which is only the start of Baptist’s mentoring program with Mitchell High School.
