Jefferson High School Student Examines Gene Pool

When was the last time you held a brain in your hand? For Jefferson High School student, Lathifa Fauzia, the answer is easy – 2 weeks ago! Fauzia, along with 15 other students from 10 area high schools, examined plastinated human organs, viewed a video of actual surgeries, and met with genetic counselors at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics during a small group job shadow coordinated by the Workplace Learning Connection.

Careers in health care are booming and with the rapid advances in technology, genetics counseling is one area that has a promising future. Genetic counselors are part of the overall medical team for a patient. They provide support and information to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions, per the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

Jefferson High School partners with the Workplace Learning Connection to provide their students with work-based learning experiences with the intent of preparing them for life after high school. To know more about this and other career exploration opportunities, contact Mrs. Hilby or log on to www.workplace-learning.org.