Health Professions Panel: Exploring Healthcare Careers with Alumni
On November 24th, the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club welcomed five guest speakers from various healthcare fields to share their experiences in graduate school and the workforce, as well as offering advice
Posted in: Biology, CSAM Students
HOSA has been an active registered student organization at Montclair State University since Fall 2023 and recently had the opportunity to highlight its accomplishments to President Jonathan Koppell.
This event marked President Koppell’s first introduction to HOSA, and he was pleasantly surprised by the range of opportunities the organization provides not only to pre-med students but to all students interested in healthcare. Before leaving, he gave attendees an inspiring message about what it means to be a first-generation student pursuing a healthcare career at Montclair State University. The event had over 70 students in attendance, making it one of HOSA’s largest turnouts so far!
The club was then joined by our five panelist, Fatema (Physician Assistant), Jessie (Occupational Therapist), Katherine (Medical Student at Hackensack Meridian School and Montclair State University Alumni), Jenna (Dental Student at Touro Medical School and MSU Alumni), and Faria (Medical Student at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine). Each panelist spoke about their journey to and through graduate school, sharing personal experiences, challenges, and the advice they wished they had known as undergraduates. Their insight offered students a realistic and motivating look into the healthcare field, sparking meaningful questions and conversations among attendees.
Afterwards, HOSA hosted an MCAT, DAT, and GRE giveaway for all members who attended. The organization awarded 10 MCAT prep bundles (each set included 7 books), 4 DAT prep books, and 4 GRE vocabulary flashcard sets, co-sponsored by the Pre-Medical & Pre-Health Program. Last but not least, attendees heard from Charlotte Cuss Bracchitta, Director of the Pre-Medical & Pre-Health Program, who explained the pre-health advising support offered on campus for all healthcare fields and shared that those who attended today will receive an advising session in addition to free MCAT, DAT, or GRE resources depending on their pathway. Therefore, guaranteeing that each student in attendance won free test prep resources!
The Health Occupations Students of America Club extends its deepest gratitude to all members, panelists, President Koppell, and the Pre-Medical & Pre-Health Program for their collaboration and support. HOSA looks forward to hosting more events in the future and returning even stronger next semester. Congratulations again to our giveaway winners, and thank you to everyone who attended!
Our E-Board and I have worked hard all semester to make sure this panel was successful. We wanted to make sure that we ended this semester off with a bang and pave the way for future opportunities similar to this.