Mount Logan Middle School Students Discover Career Paths from Local Experts
Mount Logan Middle School eighth-graders gained hands-on insight from various Cache Valley professionals during a college and career exploration event. Students learned about diverse career paths from a local pediatrician, a veterinary technician, a photo/video professional, an employment counselor, and a welding instructor.
Dr. Prafulla Martin-Garg discussing the medical field
David Brand teaching about personal branding
Corona Quintero sharing welding opportunities
Students rotated through the classrooms, listening to each career presentation. Dr. Prafulla Martin-Garg, a Cache Valley pediatrician, shared with students that one of the qualities of a good doctor is passion for the work.
“We need more doctors who practice good and ethical medicine,” Martin-Garg said.
She also explained the path to becoming a medical doctor, which can be 13 to 15 years of schooling. Seventeen students in the room raised their hands, saying they were open to the rigorous challenge and were genuinely interested – not just completing the activity for points.
Dr. Martin-Garg encouraged students interested in healthcare to take anatomy and physiology classes in middle and high school. She also highlighted other entry points into the medical field, such as working as a receptionist at a doctor’s office or pursuing a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate, which provides hands-on patient care.
Next, a representative from Bridgerland Technical College’s welding program shared with students that welding is a high-demand profession that students can be qualified for in 9 to 11 months of training while in high school.
“The adult program lets you make your own hours,” said Corona Quintero, a BTECH welding instructor, about their self-paced and hands-on structure.
She added that the welding industry took her all over the West Coast, where she worked numerous jobs.
Another BTECH program highlighted was Veterinary Assisting, offered on the Logan campus. A friendly dog and two big lizards accompanied the presentation, keeping students engaged as they learned about a program they can complete in high school or as adults.
Photo and video work was another career discussed, particularly one that can involve travel. Mike Johnson shared how he started his photo and video business in college by documenting weddings. His current client list includes Intermountain Health (where he films surgical videos), various departments at Utah State, and a standout project that took him to Alaska to document hunting gear.
While most presenters focused on specific careers, one session stood out by preparing students for work as teenagers. David Brand, an employment counselor at the Utah Department of Workforce Services, discussed building a personal brand and developing job-ready skills.
Brand explained that everyday responsibilities, such as cleaning at home, help students develop the skills needed for janitorial, fast-food or retail jobs available at 14 or 15. He shared the importance of their personal brand, or what they are known for in a professional setting, starting at school.
“You get to decide your future. It starts now,” Brand said.
Students concluded the day by reflecting that, even though they don’t yet know their post-secondary education or career paths, they enjoyed learning from professionals in the Cache Valley community.