Polar CAREER CONNECT

People that work in the support sector of heath care a responsible for providing and maintaining a sanitary and therapeutic environment in which health care can be appropriately delivered to individuals.

Examples of careers in facility support include, but are not limited to biomedical equipment technicians, environmental services facilities managers, hospital maintenance engineers, and transport technicians. LEARN MORE HERE.

In this issue:

• Biomedical Equipment Technician
• Occupational Health and Safety Technician
• Biomedical Engineer
• Forensic Science Technicians

If you want to play a role in developing the latest advancements in health care, whether it be through science, research and development, biotechnology discoveries, or both, there is a career in this pathway waiting for you. Examples of jobs in this sector include, but are not limited to, biomedical engineers, biomedical chemists, lab technicians, biostaticians, toxicologists, and pharmaceutical scientists. LEARN MORE HERE.

College: University of Wisconsin: Eau Claire for undergrad and University of MN for graduate school

Major: Bachelors of Science in Biology; Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Mass Communication

Career: I manage our volunteer program and conduct community engagement on environmental health topics as a Health Educator for Ramsey County. I am also currently part of our COVID-19 response team.

Teacher that inspired me: Mr. Simms was my English teacher in middle school and high school. While my career is in the science field, communication skills are incredibly valuable for any job. Mr. Simms was very supportive of my writing and creative pursuits which I use daily in my position as a health educator.

Clubs: Knowledge/Quiz Bowl

College: Bethel University

Major: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Career: Health Unit Coordinator

I graduated from Bethel University with my BSN. I started working as a Health Unit Coordinator at Children’s Hospital and worked there for about a year and a half on a Medical/Surgical Unit. I then made the switch to a Labor and Delivery unit. It is so incredibly fun and rewarding to be a part of this special moment for new families and help welcome each little bundle of joy into the world!

A teacher that inspired me

Ms. Molin was the best role model I could have ever asked for in a teacher. She encouraged me and pushed me to go outside of my comfort zone and to be the best version of myself.

Awards/Clubs

• Volleyball

• Track

• National Honors Society

College/Post Secondary school:

Bethel University, St. Paul

Major: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Minor: Community Health

Career: Registered Nurse case manager/Home care nurse

The pathway to my career started by getting my Bachelors degree in Nursing which took 4 years. I had 2 internships in college, one at a birth center and one on a labor and delivery floor. After applying for some jobs, I landed on a job in home care. While I didn’t see myself going in this direction I have ended up really loving my job! It offers a lot of flexibility, great work hours, and I feel like I am able to make a difference. Healthcare offers so many opportunities!

Activities at North: Band/Marching Band, Drama, National Honor Society, Student Council

College/Post Secondary school: Argosy University - Xray tech program from 2001 - 2004.

Major: Radiologic Technologist

Certification: AAS

Career: Medical Imaging technologist in a hospital setting

I worked full time as a receptionist in an Internist Dr office while attending evening schooling for 3.5 yrs. I did 4 months of interning at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, MN & also 4 months interning at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, MN.

Awards/Clubs/Volunteer at North

• Participated in band (flute/piccolo) and Choir all 4 yrs - placed at All State Individual Band Competitions for 2 yrs

• Boys/Girls Track team manager all 4 yrs

• JV soccer 3 yrs

• Yearbook 2 yrs

• Went to the OLD North High!

College/Post Secondary school:

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC)

Certification: Phlebotomy

Career: Phlebotomist/Lab Assistant

Sometimes it’s okay to not know what you want to do with your future immediately out of high school. I tried online college for business after graduating in 2016 and ultimately decided it didn’t fit me. It took until January 2020 to realize I wanted to get into the medical field, when throughout my whole life I’ve always had an interest but never thought I could pursue it. While it took me a few years, I’m happy with the decisions I’ve made and where I’m at in my life now. I’ve only just started my new job as a Lab Assistant and I plan on using this to further my medical career and education to achieve my dream of working in the Forensic Science field.

To those who aren’t sure what their life after high school will be like, hang in there - you’ll find your passion along the way, it just may take a bit to find you, too.

Awards/Clubs/Volunteer at North

• Newspaper Club

• Summer Marching Band

• Drumline 2016

College: Winona State University, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Major: I currently have a Bachelor’s of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology from WSU, and am pursuing a Master’s of Science in Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

Research: At Winona State, I was able to work closely with Dr. Kimberly Evenson on antibiotic resistance of plant microbes.

Career: Currently I am an employee of Mayo Clinic. I work for the Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology as a Lab Processing Assistant. Most recently I was working with pre-analytical work with the COVID testing unit. I prepared the samples for testing before sending them off to the lab. I work with all kinds of specimens, ranging from blood/serum/plasma to tissues/cerebral spinal fluid/stool.

A teacher/coach/etc. that inspired you

Aaron Hammerman - Band Director at North High

Scott Segal - Molecular Biology Professor at Winona State

Dr. Richard Weinshilboum - Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology (Mayo)

Awards/Clubs at North:

• National Honor Society (2014-2016)

College: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Major: Nursing

Certification: Registered Nurse

Career: Maternity Care Nurse at St. John’s Hospital

Ever since elementary school, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. I remember my mom, who is a nurse, attending all my field trips in school and how she helped many of my classmates. I wanted to learn something that will not only help me in my career, but in everyday life, which is why I thought nursing was perfect for me. Throughout my time at North, I participated in a variety of activities and AP classes, which helped me learn how to communicate, manage my time, and use team working skills that prepared me for college and the real world. So thank you to all of my teachers at North and in district 622 for supporting me and inspiring me to reach my dreams! I wouldn’t be here today without them.

Awards/Clubs/Volunteer at North

• Band

• Show choir combo

• Track and field

• Tennis

• National Honor Society

• Honor roll, top 5% graduating class

College/Post Secondary school:
1. Doctorate of Chiropractic from University of Western States (Portland, OR)

2. Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Minnesota Duluth (Duluth, MN)

Certifications/Licenses:
1. Licensed Chiropractor in British Columbia, Canada

Career:
Chiropractors are spine, muscle and nervous system experts. They can diagnose and treat a wide variety of muscular, skeletal and nervous system conditions. They take a holistic non-invasive approach to medicine, providing amazing benefits to their patients through chiropractic adjustments. There are many specialties, within the field, I specialize working with moms and babies.

A teacher/coach/etc. that inspired you:
My running coaches, Cahill and Fini, for being so supportive and for pushing me to be my best. And Mr. Kopp for helping me to embrace my creative side through art and ceramics.

Awards/Clubs/Volunteer at North

Cross country, track & field and Nation Honors Society.

All State in the 3200 meter

College:

Rasmussen College (Associate’s Degree in Nursing- RN)

Bethel University (Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing- BSN)

Certification/License: MN Board of Nursing- Licensed RN

Career: I am a registered nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. I work on a cardiac unit where we see patients with a number of conditions, but we specialize in post open heart surgery patients.

A teacher/coach/etc. that inspired you:

So many! I had great relationships with many of my teachers throughout my years, but some of the ones that come to mind include Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Sass, Mrs. Liden, Mr. Waeffler, Mr. Reynolds, and Mrs. Zwirn.

Classes taken at North:

AP Biology, Calculus, Statistics, US History & World History. CIS French, Composition. Human Anatomy. Take as many CIS classes as you can realistically handle- they are so worth it!

Clubs at North

Student Council, National Honor Society, Super Fans, Girls Hockey