Bioscience students received a special opportunity to spark conversation with science professions in the Entree to Employment event held on Nov. 7.

The goal of the night was to help these students interact in an interview-type manner with professionals and to start thinking about what they want to pursue as a career.

“I wanted students to experience [scientific] careers [and to hear] college advice,” science teacher and MedTech teacher Mika Anderson said.

The variety of first-hand experiences students were able to hear helped give further insight into what they may want to do for the rest of their lives.

“It opened up conversations [and allowed] them to ask real professionals how they got to where they are,” Anderson stated.

First, students had dinner with about two or three professionals, and then switched tables to speak with other professionals during dessert. Each table had a mix of professionals and students with about seven people per table, helping to relieve pressure and to keep the general flow of conversation going.

Then, students were given an opportunity to network with professionals they did not have an opportunity to speak with during the dinner and dessert. Following this, a game of “speed-dating” ensued, emulating an interview-type environment for the students and the professionals.

Vineta Sondors ‘18 believed she was given helpful insight during the event.

“I was surprised. They gave me really good insight into college,” she said.

Overall, this event helped to encourage, educate and excite students as they discovered more about themselves and their passions. Going beyond mainstream employment opportunities can be difficult since all Bioscience students may want to go into a broad spectrum of fields, so this night provided a supplemental opportunity for many juniors and seniors.

“I think it was a fabulous night,” Anderson concluded.“I was really nervous because bringing professionals and students together […] can be really awkward, but we had nice people in attendance to really create energy.”