This became apparent to Health Services with the almost daily requests from students to shadow a healthcare provider. When the requests started to mount, Health Services realized they could help students by hosting a career day. They dubbed it “Bagels and Lox with Docs,” and the tradition started last spring.
This fall’s event will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, in the Health Center’s second-floor conference room.
“Due to privacy laws, we can’t have students shadowing our doctors and other medical providers,” said Megan Pabian, coordinator of University Relations and Public Affairs for Health Services. “But what we can do is host our own version of a career day where students can learn a little about the different professions and ask their questions to a variety of health care professionals.”
The event, held at the beginning of each fall and spring semester, allows students to get first-hand knowledge about a wide range of professions. This year the panel includes a doctor, physician assistant, advanced registered nurse practitioner, registered nurse, dietitian, physical therapist, pharmacist, dentist and dental hygienist.
“Having a variety of different professions allows students to weigh their options,” Pabian said. “So often students want to know the difference between a physician and a physician assistant, or what makes them different from a registered nurse practitioner.”
The event is supported by the Office of Pre-Professional Advising and includes experts who can address graduate school options and admissions expectations for the various fields.
“I attended last year, and my favorite part of the event was being able to ask questions one-on-one with the health professionals that attended and hear their experienced advice,” said Brittany Johnson, a health sciences pre-clinical major. “It isn’t every day that students are able to interact with health professionals and ask them for their insight on questions that we have. This really helped me.”