Akron Children’s celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Career Launch program with a special graduation celebration on July 30. The milestone marked a significant achievement for the program, which has successfully helped 81 individuals pursue health care careers. This year’s ceremony honored 27 graduates, Career Launch’s largest class to date. “Career Launch has been instrumental […]
Local woman reinvents her career with the help of Career Launch
As a 35-year-old wife and mother of two, Sarah Hufstetler dared to dream beyond the familiar. With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communications, Sarah worked as an analyst in the tech industry for many years. But after having kids, she dreamed of pursuing a more meaningful and fulfilling career working in health care. […]
Good things keep happening for So Ma Ya
When we last shared her story, So Ma was a recent North High School graduate and working part-time as a greeter/COVID-19 screener at Akron Children’s. Today, she has her associate’s degree from Stark State College and is working full-time as a medical assistant in Akron Children’s Allergy and Immunology Department. She will take her test […]
Career Launch celebrates its first graduates
When Akron Children’s introduced its workforce development program in 2019, it was with the intention of filling in-demand, entry-level positions in specific degree paths. Two years later, Patrice Russell, talent acquisition programs manager, held the first-ever Career Launch graduation ceremony (virtually) to celebrate 5 graduates who recently completed the program. “This graduation is a success […]
Job offer to North High graduate is first for hospital’s partnership with APS
As a student at North High School, So Ma Ya had lots of opportunities to learn about careers in health care. Akron Children’s was the first organization/employer to partner with Akron Public Schools in creating the Akron Children’s Academy of Health and Human Services at North High School in 2018. As a result, a variety […]
Education and mentorship opportunities available through Career Launch program
When Akron Children’s introduced its Career Launch program in 2019, it was with the intention of filling entry-level positions in specific degree paths. “A labor market analysis revealed that the people needed to fill critical roles weren’t available in our area,” said Patrice Russell, program manager. “So, leadership decided to do something about that.” Patrice […]