The Bioscience Academy at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) is, according to the Foothill Tech website, “a three-year program that provides students … access to advanced coursework, lab skills, leadership experience and career exposure,” and is dedicated to supporting students with an interest in a future in the sciences. The program tackled their career exposure goal with the annual Entree to Employment event held in Spirito hall from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 21.
This event invited over thirty professionals from careers involved in the Bioscience curriculum to dine with the class of 2027 (Cohort 21) and class of 2026 (Cohort 20) of the Bioscience Academy. Professionals such as physical therapists, biochemists, firefighters and forensics officers were in attendance and they answered questions and discussed their careers with the upperclassmen Bioscience students.
“I think this type of event allows you to kind of look ahead and go, if I follow my path, this is a possibility. But what’s nice about this is these students are in mixed professional groups, so there isn’t any particular table that has one career path,” Mika Anderson, Bioscience Academy Director, said.
The event began with Mika Anderson introducing the program, which included one hour of discussion over dinner catered by Presto Pasta and served by the class of 2028 (Cohort 22), a 15-minute dessert intermission and 45 minutes of mock interviews.
Immediately after Anderson’s introduction, the diners could begin their conversations with the help of prepared icebreakers and while Cohort 22 collected their orders.
“I think networking really early and getting these connections is super valuable … I know I want to do something in the medical field, but I’m not sure yet, so really I’m here just to survey.” Nate Fraizer ‘27 said.
After the discussion phase, the dessert-filled intermission began, where both professionals and Cohorts 20 and 21 were able to mingle and discuss what they had learned, providing time for Cohort 22 to prepare the tables for the mock interviews between professionals and students. The professionals were given the freedom to ask whatever questions they felt best prepared the students for the realities of a job interview and provided ample feedback to the interviewees.
“I think a lot of interviewing is … the why of why here? What led you here? Why do you want this job? … I think this is sort of an opportunity for people to start to practice figuring out what that is for themselves and how they can share that with other people in a way that’s obviously lower stakes. ” Joe Vilebig, a family medicine resident, said.
With the conclusion of the interviews, the professionals and the Bioscience Academy students concluded their discussion and the evening. As thanks for the professionals’ help, Cohort 22 passed out bouquets and gathered and packaged leftover sweets and dinner for both upperclassmen and the career specialists.
“I think [Entree to Employment] definitely did bring [Cohort 22] closer … I think just being in this sort of compact and really tight situation is kind of stressful, but it also helps us work as a team better.” Fiona Holt ‘28 said.
With the event coming to a close, all three Cohorts gained something to look forward to, and the Bioscience Academy celebrated an ever-important step in preparing its students for their future careers.