West Coast University’s Ontario campus recently hosted its annual student volunteer fair. The fair is a great opportunity for WCU students and alumni to find volunteer placements with local organizations. As part of the curriculum, students must complete a volunteer externship at a health care provider.
Volunteer work is especially important for students because it allows them to begin experiencing the health care world as a caregiver instead of relying solely on classroom and simulation learning. Students are able to get to know what it takes to be a part of health care team in the real world and narrow down the specialization that they enjoy working within.
Representatives from local organizations at the volunteer fair spoke about the programs that are available to current students. Jennifer Bruchette from Casa Colina Rehabilitation said that her organization has worked to create a progression for students, creating a position called the patient care tech, which is designed for nursing students. Opportunities like these from Casa Colina are key to a student’s education and can also play a major role in finding a job after graduation. For some students, volunteer externships can even turn into employment opportunities.
Volunteer fairs provide some of the best opportunities for WCU students to network and find an organization for their externship. At the end of the day, students at the volunteer fair had taken a few more steps toward being the caregiver they set out to become. See highlights from the event in the video above.
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
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