AVONDALE, Arizona – Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) will be hosting their annual Health Awareness and Career Expo on Wednesday, October 3, providing resources and opportunities for two healthy lifestyle issues – personal health and career development. The expo will be held on the EMCC campus, located at Dysart and Thomas Roads, from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m., and is free and open to the public.
“This event will help showcase the health career programs offered at EMCC, plus provide job and training opportunities in many other types of career fields,” says Leslie Keefer, assistant director of operations and administrative services at the SouthWest Skill Center, and event chair. “We collaborated with the EMCC Career and Transfer Center, academic programs and student organizations to expand the expo into a convenient, informational and fun experience.”
The career portion of the expo has been enhanced this year and will provide information and resources on local job and internships opportunities, career exploration assistance, career confidence-building, and information on education and college programs. “Dress for success” exhibits and tips will be shared by Goodwill Industries and the EMCC Student Fashion Club.
Two career panels will be the highlight of the job-related presentations, focusing on nursing and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). The Nursing Panel will be comprised of SWSC faculty and nursing students. The STEM Internship Panel will feature Brian Browne of Banner Sun Health Research Institute, EMCC alumnus Nathaniel Belnap, who is a recent recipient of a nationally coveted research internship at the Banner Institute, and a representative for the Translational Genomics Institute (TGen).
Activities and resources for the health awareness portion of the event include free glucose and blood pressure checks, information on health and nutrition, disease prevention, emergency tips and preparedness, and medical certificate and degree programs leading to careers. Short learning sessions will be presented and facilitated by faculty, authors and industry experts on a variety of health-related topics.
There will also be fitness and exercise demonstrations, including Zumba, Booiaka, Drums Alive, and Tai Chi, that encourages audience participation. Free chair messages will be offered, and for the art in all of us, a heart-related art exhibit will be on display, created by SWSC allied health students.
Some of the companies and organizations that have committed thus far are Arizona Department of Corrections, Arizona Department of Economic Security, Beatrice Keller Dermatology Clinic, Costco Wholesale, Culvers, CVS, Fastenal, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Free Arts of Arizona for Abused Children, IMS (Integrated Medical Services), Maricopa Workforce Connections, McLane Company, Southwest Behavioral Health Services, Wal-Mart Distribution, and Wells Fargo.
“The EMCC planning committee has been really committed in creating an event that helps our students and our community with very important issues. In today’s economy, we are all trying to improve and balance our families, health, work and education,” said Keefer. “This free event is intended to be fun and enjoyable, while providing the resources to explore and experience the many ways to a healthy lifestyle.”
For a current schedule of events, information and list of vendors, presenters and employers, visit www.estrellamountain.edu/expo. Sponsored in part by Kaplan University.