Zach Adams ’14 and emergency room physician Dr. Terry Creel participated in the Jesuit Career Shadowing Program.

Many young men grow up wanting to be a doctor, but not many are able to get a firsthand view of what a typical shift in a hospital is like as a high school senior. Zach Adams ’14 was able to do just that through the Jesuit Career Shadowing Program.

The voluntary program, which began in 2005, is coordinated by the Guidance Department and allows graduating seniors to spend time visiting with, and touring the workplace of, a professional in the career of their interest.

This fall Adams is headed to LSU and plans to major in Biology. He says he hopes to attend LSU Medical School and pursue a career in emergency medicine or orthopedics.

But before beginning his college career, Adams was interested in learning more about a career in medicine. He shadowed emergency room physician Dr. Terry Creel. Creel is the father of four Blue Jays: Cal ’11, Zac ’13, Henry ’15, and Benjamin ’16.

During the shadowing experience, Dr. Creel invited Adams to see multiple patients with a variety of ailments and discuss possible diagnoses or tests. Through the experience, Adams said he has a better idea of what being an ER physician is like.

“I chose to participate in the career shadowing program in order to ‘test the waters’ and see if this career is something I would really want to pursue,” Adams said. “This shadowing experience reaffirmed my desire to pursue this medical career, and I am as excited and motivated as ever to begin working towards that career this fall.”

Led by guidance counselor Ms. Aurora Daigle, the program gives graduating seniors the chance to explore the career they planned to study in college. Most students choose to shadow a professional during the week between final exams and graduation. Daigle hopes to give graduating Blue Jays an opportunity to solidify their career choice, or answer any questions they have about their chosen field before heading off to college.

Many of the professionals who choose to participate in the program are Jesuit alumni, parents, and friends, living the Jesuit motto of “Men for Others” as they help guide young Blue Jays along the path to their future careers.

Alumni interested in serving as a host can contact Alumni Director Mat Grau ’68, or guidance counselor Aurora Daigle.