High-achieving freshmen with an exploratory concentration
in the biological sciences, health and wellness at Kent
State University learned more about the healthcare industry
as part of the second annual Black Squirrel Healthcare
Experience.

High-achieving freshmen with an exploratory concentration in the biological sciences, health and wellness at Kent State University were invited to learn more about the healthcare industry as part of the second annual Black Squirrel Healthcare Experience that took place from Aug. 25-27.

“Approximately one-third of our exploratory students fall within this concentration,” says Michelle Adair, senior advisor I at the Exploratory Advising Center. “However, students are not always aware of the wide variety of opportunities that exist both locally and globally within the field of healthcare.”

Adair created the program last year with Niki Lee, academic advisor I at the Exploratory Advising Center. Adair says she and Lee did all the research necessary before the program launched and partnered with a number of other departments including Kent State’s Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement.

“We wanted to help students develop strong connections to Kent State and the surrounding community while actively exploring career interests,” Adair says.

Students in the program moved in Aug. 24, the Monday before Welcome Weekend for a special orientation. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, they left for their three-day service trip to Cleveland. Thirty-three students from two First-Year Experience sections and two sophomore mentors participated in the trip. They stayed at the Cleveland Hostel for two nights and returned to Kent on Aug. 27.

Adair says the most exciting component of the trip was spending half of a day in the Cleveland Clinic. While there, they met a panel of nine healthcare professionals with various roles, asked questions and then toured the campus. Other service experiences on the trip included helping out at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Ohio City Farm, MedWish International and more.

“We provided service to a number of agencies related to healthcare so that students can see some of the needs that exist within the local community and that healthcare is more than just going to the doctor when you’re sick,” Adair says.

Kent State University students prepare meals for local
schools in the kitchen at the Greater Cleveland Food
Bank.

Freshman exploratory major Hannah Hall says she had an interest in healthcare after watching her dad working in the field when she was growing up. Hall says the trip to Cleveland taught her about different jobs in the healthcare field that she did not previously know about.

“By being able to meet people in the healthcare field and visiting places like the refugee farm, I could see how much these people cared about the work they did,” Hall says. “I hope that when I get a job, I am as passionate about my work as they are.”

Adair says she hopes students can reflect on how exposure to diverse jobs in the healthcare field can help create awareness and confidence when choosing a major.

“If students decide they want to select careers outside of healthcare as a result of this program, we still consider this a successful realization because what we really want students to achieve throughout the program is effective career decision-making skills,” Adair says.

To view more of Kent State’s Exploratory Advising Resources, visit www.kent.edu/exploratory.