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Marian’s job shadow program, facilitated through the senior theology classes, offers a unique opportunity for students to explore potential career paths. 

Seniors are required to complete their job shadow experience by Jan. 20, and a short reflection paper is due afterward to help them process what they learned. These experiences provide valuable insights that can significantly influence their college decisions and career aspirations.

Senior Grace Patterson recently shadowed Dr. David Minderman, a neonatologist at Methodist Women’s Hospital. Neonatology is a medical specialty focused on the care of newborns, particularly those who are premature or ill. Patterson found this experience crucial in understanding both the medical field and her aspirations.

During her half-day shadowing, Patterson witnessed a live birth of a premature baby, a moment she described as “one of the coolest things I have ever seen.” This firsthand experience opened her eyes to the reality of neonatal care, as she observed the critical role that communication and teamwork play in the medical field.

“I learned that I loved the medical field but I probably wouldn’t want to work with babies because a lot of the job is working with the parents. New parents in the NICU have lots of questions, and there is a lot of stress,” Patterson said. This insight helped her narrow her focus on college studies, confirming her desire to pursue medicine while clarifying the specific area she might want to explore further.

The job shadow program at Marian not only helps students like Patterson explore their interests but also enhances their college application process. By gaining real-world experience, they can communicate their passions and career goals more effectively in essays and interviews. For Patterson, the job shadow solidified her intention to study medicine in college.

“If I could, I would go back and stay for the whole day,” Patterson said. 

This enthusiasm to learn speaks volumes about the impact of the job shadow program, which continues to empower seniors to make informed decisions about the next steps in their lives.