The YCIS University Guidance Office recently held the first in a series of “College and Career Planning Workshops,” providing Secondary students with a wealth of information on different industries, with the first session’s focus on careers in Health and Medicine.

Moderated by YCIS’s Gubei Campus University Guidance Counsellors, Mr Karel DeCock, and Mr John Yi Liu, the first workshop featured a panel of guest speakers from a wide spectrum of careers within the medical profession. The panelists included Dr Saeid Mirafzali, an Internal Medicine Physician at United Family Healthcare Shanghai, Dr Susan Cadzow, a Pediatrician at United Family Healthcare Shanghai, Ms Marian Silva, a Speech Language Pathologist at Olivia's Place, Ms Jocelyn Liu, an Occupational Therapist at Olivia’s Place, Dr David Wexler, a Psychiatrist affiliated with Shanghai DeltaWest Clinic, and Dr Doris Rathgeber, a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Founder of Body and Soul Medical Clinics.

The objective of the workshop series is to help students get a feel for the educational path required for different careers, the types of personality traits that fit well with certain careers, and to share practical advice about working in different professions. The workshop series is open to all Secondary students in Shanghai, and the students and parents in attendance at the first event took advantage of the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists, who shared answers about their “real life” experience working in their chosen profession.

When asked about the impact of the workshop, Mr Liu shared that he was delighted by the sizable number of students and parents in attendance, and for the valuable insights and knowledge shared by panelists, saying, “Our first College and Career Planning Workshop was a wonderful success. The entire panel of doctors and therapists were amazing, sharing inspiring stories and providing really helpful information to all of the students throughout the session. One unexpected highlight of the event was that a YCIS Year 12 student was able to arrange a summer internship this year with one of our speakers afterward, and we are looking forward to more learning and opportunities ahead with our future workshops. ”

The next College and Career Night Planning Workshop will be held in February, with a focus on careers in Business.