Conversation leads to unexpected job shadowing opportunity at IH

Emily Clark’s journey into exploring respiratory therapy began in an unlikely setting—a bustling breakfast diner called De Dutch. It was here that she met Christa Sloan, a seasoned respiratory therapist who was enjoying brunch with her family.

As Emily served their table, she sparked a conversation with Christa about her kinesiology studies and her interest in a career in respiratory therapy. To her surprise, Christa offered Emily the chance to shadow her in the hospital, opening a door to a field Emily had only recently looked into.

During her job shadowing experience, Emily’s perceptions of respiratory therapy began to shift dramatically. She initially lacked awareness of the breadth of responsibilities that respiratory therapists held within the health-care system.

As she learned about their critical roles, particularly their impact in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), she became increasingly intrigued. Her newfound interest was further fuelled by her connection with a quadriplegic client, who had shared how respiratory therapists had played an instrumental role in his recovery, allowing him to breathe independently after a traumatic accident.

One pivotal moment during her job shadowing occurred when Emily witnessed a code blue. The experience was intense, but it solidified her resolve to pursue a career in health care. The collaborative effort among the health-care professionals reinforced her belief that being part of such a team could be immensely rewarding.

Emily plans to use her shadowing experience to inform her career decisions once she completes her degree. With a clear interest in working in the NICU as a respiratory therapist, she encourages others to seek job shadowing opportunities. “I would highly suggest to others to look into job shadow opportunities to gain insight that education alone cannot provide,” she emphasizes.

With more than 17 years' experience in respiratory therapy, including a new leadership role, a master’s degree in leadership, and teaching in health care, Christa sees value in sharing her expertise with aspiring health-care professionals. 

The chance to mentor Emily was equally impactful. She was struck by Emily’s determination and eagerness to learn. She hopes Emily's experience illuminates the rewarding aspects of respiratory therapy that often go unnoticed.

Both women agree on the significance of personal connections in health care. Christa believes that sharing experiences can enlighten others about career possibilities they might not have previously considered. “Making connections and sharing stories is the ultimate recruitment strategy,” she asserts. “I would say to make it a part of your job role to inspire and mentor because you never know when you could help someone find a new opportunity.”

Emily echoes this sentiment, advocating for openness and friendliness in interactions. She attributes her unexpected opportunity to a simple, genuine conversation—an approach she recommends to anyone considering a career change.

For those contemplating a shift into health care, both Emily and Christa offer heartfelt advice. Christa encourages professionals to embrace the role of mentors and to inspire others to explore diverse career paths. “Don’t be afraid to see what other professional opportunities are out there,” she advises. “Do something you love, something that gives you joy.”

“Always be willing to expand personal connections," adds Emily. "You never know the person you might meet one day.”

Emily’s journey from the diner to a budding health-care professional exemplifies the profound impact of mentorship and personal connections in shaping career paths. As both women continue their journeys—Emily towards a future in respiratory therapy and Christa in her leadership role—their shared experiences highlight the importance of nurturing the next generation of health-care professionals.

Experience IH’s wide range of health-care careers through our career exploration opportunities. We provide career exploration job shadow experiences for grade 10, 11, 12 and high school students, post-secondary students, and community members.

Through these job shadows, participants observe and learn about health-care career paths, experience health-care settings and receive supportive mentorship from IH teams.

Learn more about Career Exploration 

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