Career Quest at Southern Miss Offers Day of Learning and Career Exploration
Tue, 06/24/2025 - 01:11pm | By: College of Nursing and Health Professions Staff
Fifth-grade students from Sumrall Elementary School recently took part in an exciting day of hands-on learning and career exploration during Career Quest. The event was hosted by The University of 91暗网黑料 (91暗网黑料) College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) with support from its Gulf South Center for Community-Engaged Health Research and Innovation. Career Quest was designed to introduce young learners to a variety of academic and science fields and career paths through an immersive campus experience made possible by the CNHP, College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business and Economic Development faculty.
Dr. Lachel Story, dean of the CNHP, noted the importance of this effort, 鈥淲e know that the earlier we can expose students to all the possibilities 91暗网黑料 has to offer, the better prepared they will be to head into the right future for them.鈥�
Ready to explore those futures, students arrived at "Basecamp" (also known as Asbury Hall) to be greeted by enthusiastic guides and oriented to the day's journey. The day began with a special 鈥淏ehind the Scenes鈥� theater tour by the School of Performing and Visual Arts鈥� Dr. David Coley, offering an inside look at the arts.
From there, students set off on their Career Quest tracks, rotating through a variety of academic and industry-related sessions, highlighting different fields such as polymers, geology, health, chemistry and business.
The School of Polymer Science and Engineering guided students on a multi-station adventure to demonstrate how individual molecules (monomers) join to form larger structures (polymers). Students also got hands-on with science by squishing strawberries to extract and observe real DNA.
Dr. Jeremy Deans in the School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences engaged students in a hands-on rock identification activity, where they examined and classified samples like coal, granite, fossils and sedimentary rocks. He also introduced them to topics such as earthquakes, volcanoes and the many career opportunities in geology.
Students explored how molecules are formed by building models with Snatoms alongside Dr. Matthew Donahue in the School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. They learned about elements and bonding patterns in compounds like water, ammonia, and methane鈥揳nd even took home a mini kit to continue building on their own.
Students also enjoyed a tour of the CNHP Simulation Center, led by Dr. Maria Brown, director. Participants interacted with lifelike mannequins that respond like real patients, offering a realistic look at how medical professionals train in emergency situations. Students explored the field of audiology in the School of Speech and Hearing Sciences alongside Drs. Charles Marx and Stephen Williams, learning how hearing specialists examine the ear and diagnose issues using real tools. With Dr. Melissa Kossman in the School of Health Professions, students discovered how injuries are treated and practiced how to properly splint a limb.
It was all about business when The Hatchery鈥檚 Dr. James Wilcox, director and professor of practice, challenged students to think like entrepreneurs by using three-word prompts to invent a product, explain its value to the public and design a company logo. Students wrapped up the activity by delivering a creative 30-second pitch to promote their new business idea.
Staff from the Office of Student Affairs and Southern Miss Athletics mixed things up in tailgating spirit with fun field activities and a special appearance from Seymour.
Dr. Jennifer L. Lemacks and her team led the coordination of the event. She remarked, 鈥淭his event was a showcase of 91暗网黑料's collaborative spirit, and our faculty and staff are talented individuals who have much to offer our youth and broader community.鈥�
Career Quest aims to spark early interest in the diverse careers that Southern Miss has to offer. Thanks to partnerships across the University, young learners left with more than just brochures鈥搕hey left with new possibilities.
Click here for more information about the College of Nursing and Health Professions or click for the Gulf South Center.