Health Care and Biosciences Programs

Students connect with campus supports, employers at Career Connect event at WSU Vancouver

_{Left to right: Clark nursing student Kevin, the first attendee to complete a Career Connect BINGO card, hands his card to Alex Kison from Career Services.}

The Community Room in the Clark College Building at WSU Vancouver was the place to forge community and career connections on October 22. Students, alumni, community members, and local employers intersected at Clark’s Career Connect event, the first-ever Career Connect event the college has hosted at this campus.

Clark students pursuing Health Care and Bioscience programs connected with campus supports and with employers to discuss available internships, jobs, and other opportunities.

Looking around the room busy with people making connections, Alex Kison from Career Services said, “We got the word out to students!”

The event was organized by the Career Services team, with Kison leading the logistics. The Career Services team includes Kison, Emily Meoz, Trisha Haakonstad, Michael Caldwell, Aaron Campbell, and Niira Krupnick. Student employees Eli Knapp and Paul Dulaney also assisted with the event.

Connecting with Clark services

Advising Services, Career Services, and Student Success Coaches worked together to staff the event. Staff members assisted students who had the opportunity to ask questions and gain an understanding of academic pathways, career possibilities, and strategies for success.

These departments partnered with faculty to coordinate timing for the event that would make the most sense for student participation. The event was held in the community room on the main floor of the building that houses the majority of Clark’s Allied Health programs. Organizers scheduled a lunchtime event and offered free pizza, salad, and drinks.

Jordan Wilcox, program specialist for Clark’s upcoming surgical technology program, spoke to students about the new program and its prerequisites. The new program is scheduled to begin in Fall 2025.

Lana Strickland, Student Success Coach for students pursuing Healthcare and Biosciences was on hand to chat with students about scheduling time with a coach, improving study skills, and more.

Connecting with employers

_{Clark biology student Logan talks with representatives from Multnomah County Oregon about health care jobs.}

Logan, a Clark biology student who plans to pursue a career in either microbiome research or zoology made his way around the various tables as he talked to employers. He stopped at the Multnomah County Health Department table to discuss potential career opportunities.

Ardon Health, which operates specialty pharmacies, is hiring pharmacy technicians. A Clark pharmacy tech student is currently doing an externship with them.

Kaiser Permanente is hiring medical assistants, nurses, and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

Consumer Direct Care Network is hiring in-home caregivers.

Clark nursing student Kevin was the first to make connections with people around the room and turn in his Career Connect BINGO card, which includes activities related to career exploration and connections made at the event.

Over a two-hour period, valuable connections were made as Clark students stepped closer to their much-anticipated careers.

_{Emily Meoz, far right, greets students as they enter the Career Connect event.}

Next Career Connect Event

If you missed the October 22 event or are looking for more opportunities to connect, here is an upcoming opportunity:

Exploring Healthcare & Biosciences Careers – A Career Connect event

When: Tuesday, November 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Clark’s main campus in PUB 161 (Penguin Lounge)

“We want to meet students where they are already taking classes,” explained Kison. “The November 19^th event is more exploratory for students and community members who are interested in a healthcare and bioscience career but want to learn more and explore the different options. There will be healthcare and bioscience employers and industry professionals such as nurses, pharmacy technicians, and healthcare administrative specialists who will be available to speak to experience in their field.”

Employers who participated in the October 22 Career Connect: