Virtus Academy scholar Arie Brown is one of eight Pee Dee students to secure a unique summer internship opportunity at McLeod Regional Medical Center, made possible through a new talent development initiative by the S.C. Technical College System Youth Apprenticeship Carolina program.
This small cadre of students will serve as medical surgical technicians supporting nursing assistants during their summer break from school.
A VA junior, Brown has her sights set on becoming an anesthesiologist and says she is looking forward to this real-world learning opportunity.
“It feels amazing to be invited into this program. It’s a big step toward my career path,” she said.
Brown and the other student interns will gain exposure to the healthcare system and valuable hands-on work experience, which will significantly enhance their resumes and support their future career goals.
Connie Brown, Arie’s mother, said, “The apprenticeship is essential to Arie because it will allow her to see what being a nurse is like before going to college. She aspires to be an anesthesiologist, so this unique experience is the groundwork for being accepted to medical school.”
Her summer experience at McLeod isn’t the first time Arie has been exposed to hands-on learning in the medical field. Last summer, she shadowed the medical team at McLeod through the Pee Dee AHEC program. Additionally, she was invited to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum-Medicine last summer at Campbell University in Littleton, NC, after being nominated by a former middle school teacher. She spent nine days exploring the medical field through simulation centers depicting real-life medical situations.
“The environment at Virtus Academy is positive for learning,” Connie Brown said. “The project-based learning curriculum has served Arie well and will continue to support her academic pursuits through high school and college.”
“My favorite things about being a student at Virtus are the welcoming environment and the access to exceptional learning experiences both in and out of the classroom,” Arie added.
