Thursday’s Prescription for Success event at STEAM Fest featured offered visitors a glance into a typical day as a medical professional and shared advice for job preparedness. The event also included HCC student advising and registration for both credit and non-credit programs.

Consisting of Patient Care Technician Timothy Scalzi, Emergency Medical Technician Chris Coleman, Medical Assistant Rosaly Perez, Surgical Technologist Sherifa Douglas, and Respiratory Therapist Catherine Velez, the panel offered the audience one major piece of advice when entering the field. “Don’t give up, because the journey is very hard.” Perez said. “I had a setback early on but didn’t give up. I found the Medical Assistant Program here at HCC and I couldn’t be any happier today.”

According to a 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics feature, jobs such as medical lab technicians and medical assistant positions are projected to increase at a faster-than-average rate of 18 percent through 2024. The feature also cites the rise in the elderly population and greater need for preventative screenings as indicators of steady job growth.

“I get to help and care for people every day.” Perez said. “What I do is so rewarding it feels less like a job and more like a way of life.”

For Information on HCC’s credit and non-credit programs please visit http://catalog.housatonic.edu/content.php?catoid=1&navoid=24

For more STEAM Fest coverage, check the news archives at http://news.housatonic.edu