Students in Mr. Bret Malone’s Intro to Health Professions class will get a firsthand look at health occupations at Winthrop University in March.

Any student may attend the trip.; if students are not enrolled in Intro to Health Professions, business, or health academy classes, they may sign up to participate in the trips through the career explorations office. The field trips are conducted every other month and may be held at various times — day to night or even during the school day.

Students who sign up for the trip will be able to visit a health fair where they can explore 20 to 40 different types of careers, including  nursing, pharmacy, and orthopedics. There are demonstrations and tours of the different careers and students will also get the chance to speak with the professionals themselves.

Mr. Malone said that the trip provides “a great understanding of the health professions and working environment.” Last year, students saw a demonstration of casting for broken limbs, how to put on a prosthetic leg, and how to wash hands correctly.

“This is a hands-on experience for students. Students get to see the point of view of working in a hospital with all different types of careers,” Mr. Malone said.

According to the Department of External Affairs and Office of Public Affairs, representatives from the American Red Cross and the Nassau County Department of Health also came to educate students about health and safety.

“There is so much to know and learn in this field.,” junior C.J. Paladino, a student who attended the trip last year, said.

“There is a lot more to health careers than I thought,” Paladino said. “They involve a lot of hard work.”

Winthrop University  organizes the fair to show students what the medical field is all about. They want students to get involved and see what their future can one day be like.

“Students really do enjoy the trip,” Mr. Malone said. “There is so much to see and learn, and working up close and personal with the professionals is great for the students.”  From Human Resources professionals to radiologists, doctors to surgeons, there are many different options for students to look into.

“We look forward to future events that will provide even more students with the same opportunity to learn about the vast career choices in the healthcare field,” said Diana Bachor, a Student Affairs and Special Programs manager at Winthrop University.

The trips will continue to run  in coming years for many students to experience.