Students sit in a circle during the Mental Health workshop
“In Washington, nearly 70 percent of all projected job openings require at least some education beyond high school,” says the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). This is why FuturesNW and Whatcom Community College partnered with approximately 30 guest facilitators, 15 volunteers, and about 20 tabling guests to put on the first of three events in the series, “Learning with Leaders”. These events target 9th to 12th-grade students, offering interactive career exploration experiences to help students break into in-demand careers that match their gifts and strengths.
Students take a seat at the Syre Auditorium for welcoming remarks and introductions
A few short weeks ago, on Friday, October 27th, we welcomed 140 students to Learning with Leaders at Whatcom Community College (WCC). Fall leaves sprinkled the campus walkway as students made their way to the Syre Student Center, where they gathered for a bagel and conversation with friends while waiting for the other school groups to arrive.
The event drew students from a total of twelve different high schools throughout Whatcom and Skagit Counties, including Squalicum, Sehome, Blaine, Burlington-Edison, Lynden, Meridian, Mount Baker, Options, Bellingham, State Street, Explorations Academy, and Lynden Community Transitions.
Following the welcome program from WCC President Kathi Hiyane-Brown, WCC Associate Director of Outreach Nubia Robles, FNW Executive Director of Programs Ashley DeLatour, and WCC Student Representative Lindsey Hanna, students began to settle in. Students then explored their folders, which contained helpful information and resources about professional networking, post-high school resources, and applying to WCC.
WCC President, Kathi Hiyane-Brown, shares her warm welcome with students
Under expert guidance, students practice CPR on a dummy mannequin
Shortly after, volunteers helped lead students across WCC’s campus to attend the workshops they signed up for prior to the event. Students had chosen between eight different career exploration workshops, co-facilitated by WCC faculty and local business leaders, which featured different career pathways in healthcare, information technology, and engineering. Three additional support services workshops were provided, covering topics like financial aid, pathways speed-dating, and job training skills. Students met professionals from well-renowned local companies like PeaceHealth, International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE), and PACCAR.
Students tested out a plethora of different careers in healthcare, such as Medical Assisting, where they practiced real-life treatment scenarios. After gloving up, students got to check patient vitals with thermometers, stethoscopes, and blood pressure cuffs. Other students practiced phlebotomy by taking fake blood from a dummy arm. As a part of the Nursing workshop, students practiced CPR on dummy patients while using EKG equipment. In another workshop, students got a feel for Physical Therapy Assisting, where they practiced conducting patient assessments and treatment simulations. Students stood up and scattered across the room to simulate these scenarios with commonly used equipment like balance balls, exercise bands, and walkers. At the Mental Health workshop, students practiced different role play scenarios and brushed up on their self-care skills.
“One student was very excited when she heard her friends pulse using the stethoscope…Their respective excitement was the best part of the day.”
Students exercise their teamwork skills a they practice CPR
Medical professionals teach students how to draw blood on dummy arms
Students practice using Physical Therapy equipment, such as exercise bands
Students utilize the computers on WCC’s campus during the Cybersecurity workshop
At the Software Development workshop, students delved into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and expansion of Chat GPT. During the Cybersecurity workshop, students were walked through a hacking video and how security devices, such as “switches”, are typically used. The Visual Communications workshop attendees designed a concert poster and received a copy to take home after completing the activity. In the spirit of fall, students in the Engineering workshop used a special machine to carve a pumpkin with increased accuracy.
“[My favorite workshop was] physical therapy because we got to have a more hands on experience doing the different therapy exercises and stretches.”
Following the first session of workshops, students returned to the Syre Auditorium at lunchtime for a pizza break and lively discussion with friends about their diverse range of workshop experiences. After lunch, students got the opportunity to peruse different resource tables in the Syre Hallway and chat with representatives from WCC Intercultural Club, TagNW, AHEC, and more. Students then disbursed once again across WCC’s campus to attend their second workshop of the day.
After completing session two, students gathered back at the Syre Auditorium for closing remarks, reflections, and raffle prizes, marking the end of a day filled with a wealth of new experiences, perspectives, and ideas. Students left equipped with freshly honed skills and a deepened understanding of the myriad opportunities awaiting them post high school.
Students stand up and explore different equipment at the Physical Therapy workshop
Medical professionals teach students how to take vitals
“The Whatcom College booth for [college] speed dating helped give a lot of info about their campus and college and also their thoughts on my interests on culinary and carpentry.”
FuturesNW expresses our deep gratitude to Whatcom Community College for its integral role in making this Learning with Leaders event such a success. We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors, including Career Connect Washington, Puget Sound Energy, the Area Health Education Center for Western Washington, Starbucks, Costco, Papa Johns, and the Bagelry. Our close partnerships helped make this event possible and offered students an invaluable glimpse into the exciting world of diverse career opportunities and higher education pathways.
The second Learning with Leaders event will be held on February 1, 2024, at Skagit Valley College, followed by the final event on May 21, 2024, at Bellingham Technical College.
We hope to see you there!