Mobile College Campus Serves as “Vital Link” for Local, Alabama Eighth-Grade Students

Some eighth-graders discover how to use medical assisting equipment to examine ears

During the week of June 14, 2010, Remington College in Mobile Alabama hosted students participating in the AT&T Vital Link program.

The program lets local eighth-graders job shadow select Mobile faculty and staff for a week to help educate them for the future and encourage them to explore their career interests. This was Mobile Campus’s second year hosting students as part of this program.

Upon arriving at 8 a.m. each day, the group of eight eighth-graders from Mobile County Training School enjoyed breakfast and reviewed their daily agenda.

During their week at the Campus, the students learned about the financial aid process and helped to put packets together. They also spent time with the Director of Admissions to learn what goes into recruiting and enrolling students.

Campus Registrar Don Schermerhorn explained the registration process, and the group toured all of the Campus departments and talked with the department heads.

Posing for a group photo in the Process Control Engineering Technology lab/facility

In the Medical Assisting lab area, the students observed the proper techniques for drawing blood and taking vital signs, and they were shown how to use stethoscopes.

Criminal Justice program instructor Betty Walker asked students to help dig for clues in a back field and collect evidence as part of a mock crime scene.

Process Control Engineering Technology instructor Mike Gelsie showed students the lab and how to check the flow of product. He also demonstrated the simulator methanol plant and showed why each valve and reading is crucial to optimum performance and, most importantly, safety.

The group also talked with Cosmetology Department Chair LaKeyshia Mauldin and toured the Cosmetology building.

Mobile Campus Director of Workforce Development John Lynam, who arranged the visit, noted, “It’s very encouraging that this group of young men and women chose to spend a part of their summer vacation to learn more about career opportunities. I consider this a vital workforce development effort that we are proud to be a part of.” Ms. Wisdom added, “Mobile Campus was indeed very pleased to help plant some seeds for future growth within our community of students.”