Here is the next in our series of articles profiling SV High School seniors enrolled in Broome-Tioga BOCES New Visions program. This program gives students in our region a realistic peek into a career they may be contemplating, while also earning them college credit. Perfect for college-bound seniors interested in careers in business, health, education, engineering, or law & government, New Visions also offers work-based learning with college-level English and Social Studies courses.
Students enrolled in a New Visions academy spend mornings taking classes and working side-by-side with professionals in the community, observing and participating in real-world experiences.
Jacob Bailey is enrolled in the New Visions Health Careers Academy and has experienced clinical rotations in actual healthcare settings. He felt going into the field of healthcare blind was daunting and was looking for an opportunity to gather some experience in that area. After hearing what the New Visions Health Academy offered, he thought it would be a great way to immerse himself in the healthcare field while also becoming prepared for rigorous college-level coursework.
"My favorite clinical rotation so far has been with Respiratory Therapy in the ICU. The therapists I was with were awesome, and they've been the favorite crew I've shadowed with,” said Jacob. “I don't plan on working in that field, but my interaction with them confirmed that the healthcare field is the right career path for me.”
He also enjoys the connections he’s made with other students and healthcare professionals. Having classes with students from schools all around the area has allowed him to meet peers he would have never met if not for participating in New Visions. He appreciates the relationships he has built with wonderful healthcare professionals who have shared their valuable insight on pursuing a career in the field.
Jacob plans to enroll in an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) class and hopes to be a certified EMT by spring. Long-term, he intends to major in Exercise Science after high school in order to pursue a career in Physical Therapy.
Health Academy students complete 22 weeks of clinical rotations in area hospitals and community partner clinics and offices. Jacob shadows on Mondays and Wednesdays as a Guthrie Lourdes student, and he is in a different healthcare area observing various types of providers every week. Coming up, he will have rotations in the areas of ophthalmology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, the hospital lab, pharmacy, operating room, veterinary, birthing, and more.
In addition to their real-world experiences, New Visions students receive their grade 12 English and social studies requirements through program coursework. The English class offered through SUNY Broome Fast Forward is College Writing I, and college credit is awarded following successful completion of the course. Social studies coursework is divided into two semesters. Economics is completed in the first semester for high school credit. In the second semester, students take Public Policy, receiving credit for successful completion through the SUNY Broome Fast Forward program. In addition, Health Academy students earn college credit for Medical Terminology, and they study material, research, and write on topics related to their healthcare rotations.
The application process for New Visions includes an essay, teacher and school counselor recommendations, and an interview. Upon completion of the program, students earn four high school credits and varying numbers of college credits, dependent on the academy in which they are enrolled.
Watch for more upcoming posts about SV Seniors and their experiences with the New Visions Academies! For more information about Broome-Tioga BOCES New Visions program, visit the New Visions web page.