Minority Health Professions Mentor Program—Javon Young

Job Shadow Opportunities Send Students to College

Javon Young,
2nd Year mentee and author of this article

My name is Javon Young, I am now a high school graduate and college freshman. I will be attending Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA. I am a first generation college student who now has definite plans for his future. When I began thinking about my future, I knew that college was in it but I had yet to figure out what I would go and study. That was until I was fortunate enough to participate in the wonderful program, "Minority Health Professions Mentor Program." While in this mentor program, many students like myself were paired with medical professionals and also medical students in training. "MHPMP" is more than a summer program, it's an experience. One that you wouldn't want to miss. I have been a part of this program since last summer 2015, being able to job shadow various careers such as Dentists, Veterinarians, Transplant Surgeons, and also medical students at the University of California, Davis. In doing so, I was able to conclude with no hesitation that the medical field was perfect for me.

While in this program I also made long term friendships with other students and mentors who I can call when I have a question because they have already experienced it. Another reason to consider this mentor program is because it's designed specifically for young African American students. We are paired with medical professionals who look like us and can relate to us, this sort of thing inspires us to want to be successful individuals.

This program was a major part in helping me to decide in which college I would be attending and my major of study. After being a part of this program, it forced me to research universities, majors, and post-baccalaureate programs. The "MHPMP" opened my eyes to what I needed to do in order to get to where I wanted to be. Since then I've compiled a timeline of where I will and need to be in my life and career. I've researched the necessary steps in order to reach my career goal which is to become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

One of my absolute favorite parts of this amazing program was attending the Summer Scrubs Program at UC Davis. Each of the students are provided UC Davis scrub tops, we are treated like actual medical students. It's a four day program that teaches and prepares our students for the rigorous tasks that real medical students face. I wish that I could participate in the program all over again. Everyone there becomes close, sort of like a little Summer Scrubs Family. Many of the activities that took place there were made possible by the hard work of Ms. Kimberley Folkes and also the help of Mr. Juan Arroyo. During my senior year, I relied on those two people heavily. Ms. Folkes was an amazing help in putting together my senior project and providing various contacts and resources. Mr. Arroyo, a representative of UC Davis' "Educational Talent Search" (ETS) was a huge part of my college decision. He explained to me the difficult process of college applications, I am very thankful to those to people.

That is just a small example of how helpful this Mentor program is. I am so thankful to the mentors and founders of this wonderful program. I would encourage everyone who is interested in the medical field to engage themselves and be a part of this fantastic opportunity.

I would like to especially thank Ms. Sharon Chandler and Ms. Toni Colley-Perry for coming together and creating this life changing opportunity, never ending urge to give, and their vision. Without them, myself and many other students may have never received the opportunities that we have.