Alumni who work in the healthcare field credited their time at Hillsdale for much of their success in their career at a panel event hosted by Career Services and the Pre-Professional Society on Tuesday.
The nine panelists represented healthcare fields ranging from dentistry, chiropractics, physical therapy, speech language pathology, veterinary medicine, sports medicine, orthopedics, and nursing.
Assistant Director of Career Services Sharon Kahn said the panel is part of a “Careers In” series offered every other year.
“Career Services collaborates with the Pre-Professional Society to offer events that cater to what events our pre-med and pre-health professions students are interested in,” Kahn said. “Career Services is here to support students and to adapt to the trends of what students are interested in.”
Several of the panelists were Hillsdale College alumni, such as 2010 graduates Kam and Kate Mueller and 1995 graduates Kathy Petersen and Stacy Vondra.
The panelists explained their education and career paths before joining students in the audience for a time of discussion to answer questions and share career advice.
Many of the alumni panelists credited their time at Hillsdale for thoroughly preparing them for their healthcare careers.
“What I love is the expanse of knowledge that I gained in medical school and in my career,” Kam Mueller ‘10 said. “I feel like my education has been very well-rounded and I can thank Hillsdale for that.”
Sophomore Caitie Burns, a biology major, hopes to become a veterinarian and said the event gave her several practical next steps as she prepares for her career.
“Dr. Alison VanZant gave me advice to say yes to every opportunity.” Burns said. “She also told me about opportunities to get connected and gain experience locally during my time at Hillsdale.”
Burns said she enjoyed hearing each health professionals’ honest perspective of their career, as well as their favorite and least favorite parts of working in the healthcare field.
Jill Bollman, an audiologist, said the personal aspect of her career is what makes working in healthcare so meaningful.
“What I love about my profession is making a difference: I get to witness fitting a baby with hearing aids and seeing him hear for the first time, seeing the joy on his face when he hears his parents’ voices for the first time,” Bollman said. “Those moments make it so worthwhile.”
Many of the panelists noted the versatility of specialties, flexible work hours, and variety in scope of practice for each of their careers.
Kate Mueller ‘10 said she decided to go into the medical field her junior year at Hillsdale. She received a scholarship from the United States Air Force to earn her physician’s assistant degree, and then worked as a P.A. for the Air Force for three years. Mueller worked in family practice and primary care for several years, but is currently not practicing so she can stay at home with her children.
Similarly, Kathy Petersen ‘95 enrolled in an accelerated nursing program after graduation to become a registered nurse. After practicing labor and delivery and NICU nursing for several years in Hillsdale, Petersen ran the IT program for the medical health records at Hillsdale Hospital for five years. She found she had extra time in this position, so she enrolled in an online program to become a registered nurse practitioner. Aside from the versatility and opportunity for growth in her nursing career, Petersen said she appreciates how family oriented her health career is.
“What I’ve loved about my career is that it is very family friendly.” Petersen said. “We have eight children, but I’ve always worked at least part-time.”
To any student interested in a healthcare profession, Kahn said she recommends taking Pre-Professional Advisor Christopher Hamilton’s Exploring Health Careers one-credit class, volunteering in a health-related GOAL Program, and visiting Career Services to make sure that students are on track with graduate school prerequisites and observation hours.
Jake Neukom, who holds his Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy and works in outpatient orthopedics and athletic training, advised students interested in a healthcare profession to take steps early in their college career to decide if they want to pursue healthcare.
“Volunteer and observe,” Neukom said. “Take as many classes as you can to become as well-rounded as possible.”
