About 12 high school graduates recently met employees at Saint Joseph Health System and toured the Mishawaka hospital.
The event was part of Indiana University South Bend’s Map The Gap program. The program guides high school graduates during a gap year. Events are designed to help them to develop a plan for future education, career and life.
The students talked with people in a variety of professions – from nurses and administrators to pharmacists and security. They also toured the hospital, visiting the emergency room and pharmacy, and observing an operating room during a surgery.
“Our gappers drive by this hospital every day,” said Mary Jo Sartorius, IU South Bend Map The Gap program manager, in a press release. “I think hearing about the culture and that people here love to go to work every day – I think that makes it realistic for them to think about.”
Through the program, “gappers” are paired with mentors from the local community. Those mentors provide guidance. Visits to various businesses also help reveal potential careers.
Saint Joseph Health System President Chris Karam said his team was eager to talk about their career paths. He hopes it inspired some of the participants.
“Many high school graduates may not know what they want to do with their life,” Karam said. “When people think of hospitals, they think of doctors and nurses and therapists, but it’s literally a community when you’re in a health system. We have so many behind-the-scenes roles and jobs that don’t require a specialized level of education.”
Saint Joseph Health System encourages employees to participate in events like these.
“Events like this are really an opportunity for us to reach out to the youth of our community to say there’s a place for you at Saint Joe, and we will teach you, we will help you,” Karam said.
Angelina Wingo, a recent graduate, attended the event.
“It’s been very helpful. I was having a little back-and-forth in my mind about what I want to do,” Wingo said. “Coming here today reaffirmed nursing for me.”
