Elementary students learn about careers in healthcare during Discovery Day

Government and Community Relations, in collaboration with Aggie Square, co-hosted an event to expose students to a variety of careers available at UC Davis Health.

More than 60 fifth grade students from the nearby Language Academy of Sacramento school visited UC Davis Health to spend the morning learning from and interacting with staff.

The students began with an overview of UC Davis Health and a game that taught them about different careers at the health system. Faculty from the Department of Radiology educated students about different types of radiological interventions from ultrasound to fluoroscopy. The students were shown real X-rays and asked to shout out what animal X-rays they thought were being shown.

The students then rotated through four interactive stations to learn more about other careers.

As many of the students are bilingual, they learned from Medical Interpreting Services how their bilingual skills can be utilized in healthcare. The Pharmacy Department discussed medication safety and showed the children the how important attention to detail is needed by filling out candy “prescriptions.” Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation provided hands-on demonstrations as they taught the students methods they use to help heal patients. Lastly, the students learned about canine officer Cali of the UC Davis Police Department and about careers in law enforcement.

At the conclusion of the event, the students were asked to write down their favorite part of the event or what they learned. A few highlights of their comments include:

• “My favorite thing about today was everything, especially the learning, the fun, and sensing. Thank you so much for inviting us to this amazing place.”
• “My favorite thing today was going to all the different stations to learn about what they do.”
• “My favorite thing was the whole thing. I love it here. I want to work here.”

“Seeing the students eyes open up about all the job possibilities in healthcare was amazing,” said Laura Niznik Williams, director of government and community relations. “By exposing students to careers early on, this event is just one of the ways UC Davis Health is helping to address future healthcare workforce needs.”

This event is a part of the University’s commitment and support of pathway and pipeline programs that prioritizes K-12 students and helps increase exposure to educational and career pathways to more students. It’s one of the ways UC Davis Health enables student access to educational programs that support career readiness.

If your department is interested in participating in future healthcare career education events, please contact Government and Community Relations at HS-community.relations@ucdavis.edu.