High school students from different parts of Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi are discovering their career interests at ULM's President's Academy this week.
An entire day of chaos, sick patients and beeping machines can drive someone almost insane. Not Mckayla Wylson. She says she likes the thought of that kind of environment.
Wylson was one of 49 students who realized what she truly wanted to do with her life at ULM's President's Academy this week. She visited St. Francis Hospital on Tuesday and she says she wants to work with patients one day.
"I like talking to people and helping them so I really think this will be a good profession for me," Wylson said.
Wylson says the program has not only helped her find her passion, but valuable relationships too.
"The people you work with become like your family. You really get to know them and you find out just how well you would do in the medical field," Wylson said.
ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says that's what the program is all about.
"Helping students find their gifts and strengths and how ULM can help them achieve their dream," Stockley said.
Hannah Heyl's dream is to work in the medical field too. However, she wants to use her talents in a different way.
"I'm more leaning towards the lab medical part because I like actually working with the biological part and figuring out what is in it [bacteria, etc.], and using that to find out what they have," Heyl said.
Heyl has Rosalie Hendrix to thank for helping her realize that. Hendrix is a Medical laboratory scientist at St. Francis Hospital and says its important for students like Heyl to have hands on experience.
"To see all of their options is definitely the best benefit that they have," Hendrix said.
Hendrix says experience is the best teacher. Meanwhile, Heyl doesn't want hers to end. She hopes students who are thinking about applying to the academy next year to do it because "it's all worth it."