“What do you want to be when you grow up?” and “What do you want to do after high school?” are age-old questions that plague our youth. Such questions can be a source of anxiety and uncertainty. Job shadowing experiences give students the chance to help answer these questions and put them more at ease with their career choices.
EverHeart Hospice and a Ft. Recovery high school senior were able to join together to help answer these questions. Senior Joscie LeFevre has been considering a career in music therapy, and she recently had the opportunity to job shadow a local Board-Certified Music Therapist, Amy Pearson.
Amy is a Music Therapist at EverHeart Hospice and has provided music therapy services for hospice patients and families for the past 17 years. EverHeart Hospice has been a longstanding non-profit in the community, providing end-of-life care to patients and families for 43 years.
Joscie spent time with Amy asking questions about the field and gaining hands-on experience making hospice music therapy visits in a local nursing home. “I saw a world of difference in the patients we visited. The music not only helped calm the patients, but it also physically affected their body and mind. This was a power I didn’t realize music had!”
Joscie learned that a professional music therapist holds a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in music therapy from one of over 80 AMTA-Approved college and university programs. After completing the bachelor’s degree, music therapists can sit for the national board certification exam to obtain the MT-BC (Music Therapist – Board Certified) credential necessary for professional practice.
Job shadowing can be an excellent way for students to meet people in a profession they are interested in. In the future, they can use the professionals they meet to answer questions and have them write letters of recommendation, or they may even be a source for job opportunities.
Joscie shared, “After this day, I am still interested in pursuing a career in music therapy. I am glad that I was able to observe what I did, and it helped me find out more about myself and my path after high school.”
If you are interested in learning more about the career opportunities available at EverHeart Hospice, you can visit their website at www.everhearthospice.org or contact a team member at 800-417-7535.
Photo (provided): Left Joscie LeFevre, right Amy Pearson