Oakland University’s Patient Care Technician program (PCT) and Pontiac High School collaborated with award-winning inspirational speaker Sophia A. Nelson to host the “Meaningful Discussions about the Path to Success” event on April 3 in the OC’s Founders Ballroom.
The PCT program is a pre-college opportunity for high school students in Pontiac school districts interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field. Students attend lectures on OU’s campus while being financially supported.
The event started with breakfast and a guest panel for the students.
College and career coordinators Shana Jackson and Teresa Rodges, founder of the PCT program and senior director of pre-college programs at OU, advised in coordinating the event.
“The purpose of PCT is [to provide] a pathway for students to go further and get a degree in the medical field,” Jackson said.
Jackson emphasized the constant help provided to their students in addition to gaining experience in the college atmosphere.
“I’ve helped with the tours and college experiences for the students,” Rodges added.
The classroom lectures guide the students to understand what it is like to be on campus.
The program allows for a completed certification in becoming a nursing assistant, addressed by high school seniors enrolled in PCT, including Cory Thomas, Jazmin Bermudez-Alvarado and Noelia Luna.
“The program gives you an experience of the college workload so you can become a CNA and get a chance to enter the workforce out of high school,” Thomas said.
“Oakland University has been there to support us and provide opportunities for those who come from underrepresented backgrounds,” Bermudez-Alvarado said.
Luna echoed these sentiments regarding diversity in the medical field.
“It gives minorities the opportunity to explore our options. It wasn’t one I thought I’d have, so it’s great for anyone,” Luna said.
The event included a short experiment and a series of guest speakers ranging from doctors to educators at OU.
Nelson provided insight and motivation to the students by enchaining their cultural backgrounds to succeed in the healthcare field.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re the first. It doesn’t matter where you’re from,” Nelson said. “Exposure is important, and we are all living proof that you can do anything you want to do.”
Despite the financial burdens of attending college, Nelson discussed the need to do so.
“There are ways to get this done, there are kinds of resources to get to where you want to be,” Nelson said. “You have to trust your voice and follow through with it.”
“We want to encourage you to pursue careers in health care. We don’t have a lot of communities of color in these roles and that’s what we’re exposing,” Nelson said.
She emphasized the importance of considering the differing factors in the college process that should be handled with intelligence.
“For us to move forward as a nation, we need to get better at learning emotional intelligence and conflict resolutions,” Nelson said. “Your generation is facing a unique challenge when it comes to mental health and wellness of emotional connectivity.”
Students were advised to become more involved within a community and prioritize the internet less when adapting to life.
“Successful people are good with other people,” Nelson said. Find your passion and ask yourself what you are passionate about.”
The event ended with the following questions and statements the rest of the panel made.
For more information about the PCT program, visit its website.
