Meet Our Grads
We are very proud of all that our former student interns have accomplished. Take a minute to get to know the stories of a few of our graduates, or read what their coworkers have to say about them.
Jessica
Jessica spent her last year of high school with Project Opportunity, graduating in May 2006. She had many worksite experiences but needed a "foot in the door" to achieve the career she desired. At Project Opportunity, she was given the time and consistency to learn job skills that could transfer to many career choices. Jessica spent time trying various jobs at the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Ultimately, she chose to pursue a career in the Perioperative Services department (Holding and Recovery on the surgical floor at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital). Jessica ensures supplies are stocked in each holding room, cleans the stretchers, and ensures they are made with fresh linens after a patient leaves Recovery after surgery to go home. Jessica is an invaluable part of this department.
Micheal (pronounced "Michelle") spent her final year of high school in Project Opportunity at Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, graduating from Project Opportunity in May 2006. Not only is Micheal a graduate of our program, but she has also been a patient of the Children's Hospital. This experience has provided her the unique opportunity to work with those who cared for her during stay. Micheal quickly found a placement at Vanderbilt after her internship with Project Opportunity, however after some departmental restructuring this position proved not to be a viable work option any longer. Inspite of this setback, Micheal (as well as the staff of PO who provide continous followup for our grads) soon found a new placement. You can find Micheal most days working in the Nutrition Services department attending to staff and guests of VUMC alike.
Brandy was part of Project Opportunity's adult pilot program the summer of 2006. She came to us with a great work history but needed an opportunity to show her skills to the departments here at Vanderbilt. Project Opportunity gave her the chance to train with many departments until she found her perfect match. She now works for the Materials Management department on the NICU unit. She ensures all supplies are exactly where they need to be, orders the supplies the floor needs, and inventories all supplies that are currently on the floor. Brandy has excelled at a job she loves and now has the opportunity to get a place of her own!
Kirsten
Kirsten attended our Project Opportuntiy adult pilot program the summer of 2006. She arrived to Project Opportunity with some work experience and some wonderful volunteer experience but truly wanted a career at Vanderbilt. When she graduated from our summer program, she accepted a job in Environmental Services. Though she began part time, the department offered her full-time work, and she now receives all the benefits other full-time employees are eligible for at Vanderbilt.
Travis
A young man with an incredible heart and overwhelming desire to help people, Travis Coleman began Project Opportunity’s job training program in the fall of 2006. His initial career path was to become a volunteer firefighter, but working Project Opportunity’s various hospital rotations allowed him to consider a variety of new employment options. Travis discovered he particularly enjoyed and excelled at sterilizing surgical instruments. Fortunately, a supervisor at one of Vanderbilt’s sterile processing sites noticed his attention to detail and consistent level of performance; hence, Travis has been gainfully employed at Vanderbilt as a Decontamination Technician since March 5, 2007. The first purchase with his paycheck? A pair of red cowboy boots!
Keith
From the first day of his internship, Keith Netherton, embraced Project Opportunity’s job training program with a high level of commitment and enthusiasm. We quickly discovered that underneath his “tough”exterior was a kind, sensitive young man who just needed a chance to succeed. Keith also possessed an obvious empathy for hospital patients that both inspired and motivated his peers and coworkers.
When a position became available in the recovery room/holding area of Children’s Hospital, we knew it would be a wonderful job opportunity for Keith. He would assist in recovery room turnover for new patients, wipe down stretchers, re-stock linens and necessary supplies. He interviewed and was hired as a Clinical Technician on April 15, 2007.
From the first day Cory walked into Project Opportunity, he expressed a strong desire to work on a Grounds crew.
Jimmy
Jimmy was invincible in high school An all-star athlete with confidence to spare, there was little in life that he hadn't been able to accomplish, despite challenges related to his physical disability. Unfortunately, everything changed for Jimmy once he graduated and began looking for work. The only job he could find, asnwering phones at a pizza place, just wasn't fulfilling nor did it pay the baills. Subsequently, Jimmy's self-esteem took a nose dive and he sunk into a depression. A former basketball coach was familiar with Project Opportunity and referred Jimmy to the program. The discouraged young man who walked into the PO office that first day soon evaportated as he learned valuable skills that ultimately helped him land a job at Vanderbilt. He found his niche in Sterile Processing, where today he is employed as an Instrument Specialist. In addition to being one of the department's most productive employees, Jimmy is studying for certification as well as learning cutting edge marking procedures for surgical instruments. Many new challenges... welcomed and embraced by a young man ready to handle them.
