The 2013 Health Careers Forum was made possible for some 20 high school students Friday morning at Doctors Hospital of Manteca where they listened to some 10 medical professionals tell their stories and the specifics of their jobs.

Hospital administrator Nico Tejeda told his audience of his educational pursuits and how his hard work paid off in the degrees he received allowing him to become the chief operational officer of the Manteca facility at a relatively young age.

Jon Mendoza, manager of Manteca District Ambulance, was the second presenter for the students. He talked about how standing up for what was right and admitting his mistakes led him to his administrative job in Manteca.

“If you screw up your first chance at success, what are you going to do when you get a second chance,” he asked.  Having the courage to admit your mistakes will eventually make a positive difference in your career, he stressed.

He told his audience that the ambulance service has something that the hospital doesn’t enjoy in that it only takes six months to become an emergency medical technician.  Mendoza explained that when the money isn’t available to attend college, a job as an EMT with an ambulance service allows a student to save money for classes at a college in the future.

He said once he finished college after working for an ambulance, he had the experience in the field to backup that degree.

East Union High freshman Raegan Wright said the forum was “cool and interesting”. Wright added she was motivated in hearing what was needed to succeed.  Wright is undecided on her future goals, either a radiologist or a physical therapist.

Julissa Reynoso is a junior at Weston Ranch High School. Reynoso is thinking that she would like to pursue being a pediatric oncologist. 

“It was cool,” she said. “I got to learn about all the different opportunities in the medical field.”

Jennifer Cajina, also of Weston Ranch, said she wants to get into the paramedic field.

 “It looks more organized here than I thought seeing it all play out on television,” she said.

Among the remaining medical speakers were Kim Bettencourt, Radiology; Steve Atwood, Cardio-Pulmonary/Respiratory Therapy; Eric Rudel, Physical Therapy; Carla Stanley, nursing leadership and case management; Carmen Silva, operating room – nursing to surgical; and Pidge Gooch, chief nursing officer.

The students, who were made up of mostly girls with only two boys, were treated to a tour of the various departments within the hospital.

Give Every Child a Chance arranged the seminar during fall break for interested high school students.