MaeleeSmith

Explorer Post programs allow students to explore careers before deciding if they want to go into a certain field. 

By getting real job experience, it is easier for students to see if they would want to pursue a certain career path. 

Senior Nora Britson is a part of a police officer experience program. They have sessions once a week from September to May to learn and understand the role of a police officer. 

“It gives you a background of all that cops do and not just what you see on TV,” Britson said. 

The program was easy to apply for, according to Britson. To be accepted, all she had to do was be one of the first 50 people to apply.

Britson has learned a lot about what is expected of a police officer. She observed things such as what to do when a fellow police officer is down and how to properly handcuff someone. 

“Law enforcement is a pretty serious job. You can’t just go into it if you don’t know anything,” Britson said.

As part of the program, Britson gets to go on a ride-along in a police car. This allows her to see what cops do on a daily basis, which can help her determine if this is a career she really wants to pursue in the future. 

“I do think a lot of jobs are different from what you picture. Before you set on a career, really figure out what the job is,” Britson said. 

There are lots of Explorer Post opportunities open to students. 

Sophomore Raeva Bhatia is a part of a dental program at Creighton University. 

Bhatia heard about this opportunity from an email that Mrs. Jen Christen sent to Marian students. Like the police program, this dental program was easy to apply for and get into. 

According to Bhatia, Explorer Post opportunities are a great way “to explore and expand your network.” 

Throughout this nine-week program, Bhatia has gotten to learn things such as oral surgery and cosmetics. She gets to practice her skills on mannequins in a lab. 

This program has allowed Bhatia to meet new people, while also exploring one of her careers of interest, which is orthodontics. 

“I’m definitely open to other opportunities, but I’m really glad I did it,” Bhatia said. 

Bhatia explained that it is good that she gets to experience what going into the dental field would be like.

 However, that doesn’t mean that is what she will for sure do. 

“I’m still deciding between OBGYN and orthodontist, but the course has definitely expanded my knowledge of other jobs,” Bhatia said. Explorer Post opportunities are a great way to experience careers without fully committing to them. That is why it is good for someone in high school to do. Before deciding a college major, it is important to know what that career will actually entail because that can determine if you truly want to pursue it.