FCS Students Continue Job Shadows
September 28, 2019
Life and Career Readiness students continued their job shadowing experiences this past week by shadowing at Plainview Manor, Ashburn Funeral Home, and an elementary para. Crystal Hintz returned to the elementary this time to shadow Rachel Stolp. Crystal found that Stolp was constantly busy and engaged with children and assisting them in their learning. She saw Stolp helping children with their math and center activities. Her duties also included taking the children to the restroom and monitoring them during recess. “It was interesting to see that she went to different classrooms throughout the day instead of staying in the same room all day,” stated Crystal.
Destiny Rickard and Sophie MacGregor had the opportunity to shadow Lisa Johnson at Plainview Manor. According to Rickard, they were able to experience a variety of tasks such as see where medicine was kept, how it was coded, and also locked for protection. They also saw how medication was administered. They were able to see the machines used to lift patients and reasons for their use were given. While at the nurse’s station, they were able to see how the nurses charted and kept track of patient care. “There was so much to see here and to learn. I wish we would have had more time. This was great information.” stated Sophie MacGregor. From shadowing at the hospital and manor, both Rickard and MacGregor have now considered getting their CNA to get them started on their career.
All three students went to Ashburn Funeral Home for information on being a funeral director. Jason Ashburn gave students information on the education requirements, his typical hours and time commitments. He described what it is like to work as a funeral director in a rural community like Plainview versus an urban area, especially when most people are known to you. Ashburn talked the students through the process of what happens from the time he gets a phone call, body recovery, body preparation, funeral planning, the service, the business end, etc. There are so many roles to play, especially when you own the business. Ashburn also showed students the operating room and explained the embalming and cremation processes. They were also able to see the room where the family selects the caskets, urns, etc. “There were so many different selections. I was really surprised at the options the families have,” said Crystal Hintz. “I liked seeing the operating room, where the embalming is done. It was interesting to hear the science behind which chemicals to use and why.” stated Sophie MacGregor. Destiny Rickard, “I never realized how many different jobs a funeral director has. After listening to all his responsibilities and then hearing him say “I’m here for the living” I understood being a funeral director isn’t just embalming the body like people think. It’s helping people go through the grieving process too, in their own way.”
