College’s O.N.E. event shows high schoolers career options
Gathered around a mannequin, some West Lauderdale high schoolers watched for the first time what it takes to help someone breathe.
The demonstration led by Meridian Community College Respiratory Care Practitioner Program Coordinator Christena Brown-Bradley gave the students a hands-on look at intubation - a life-saving skill many had not seen in person.
“It was really interesting,” said Aaron Walls. “There are a lot of things I didn’t know about this,” he added.
Walls was one of more than 60 students from Meridian High School and schools from the Lauderdale Country School District who got a closer look at MCC career and technical programs, like Respiratory Care Practitioner, during a special event, Experience the O.N.E. – Occupations Not Usually Explored.
This unique program gave these students from Meridian and Lauderdale County the chance to learn more about career fields not typically dominated by their demographic.
The College’s allied health programs including Associate Degree Nursing, Medical Lab Technology, Dental Hygiene, Surgical Technology, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Health Care Assisting, Emergency Medical Technology, and Paramedic, were on the students’ rounds. Also, the programs Industrial Maintenance, Construction Trades, Electrical Technology, Welding and Cutting Technology, Diesel Mechanic Technology, Precision Machining Technology, Commercial Truck Driving, and Utility Lineman were spotlighted.
"The Experience the O.N.E. program helps students take what they’re learning in high school and see how it applies in real-world, hands-on jobs — and eventually in a career," said Tiereni White, MCC recruiting coordinator.
White added that because a lot of high school students aren’t sure what career path they want to take, the event gives them a chance to explore their options and make a more informed decision about their future.
The event also included a talk by guest speaker Dr. Jason DeFatta with Ochsner Rush Health and an awards ceremony.
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu.