PHS Student Explores Career Path At Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center

Perkins High School junior Olivia Lizzi recently had the opportunity to visit the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center – Judith and Richard Kinzel Campus in Sandusky, Ohio, as part of Academy  Experience. The purpose of the trip was to explore a potential career in oncology and gain insight into how the medical field operates in a real-world setting.

"My main focus and goal of my visit was to see if this may be a good career fit for me," Olivia shared. "I also wanted to learn what they do and how the machines work because I have always been interested in oncology."

Before the visit, Olivia admitted to feeling nervous and unsure of what to expect. "To be honest, I didn’t really have a lot of expectations because I was very nervous," she said. "I guess I thought that the systems and the machines would have had less steps and preparations. This was completely different to what my actual experience was because there are multiple things that go into giving treatment to someone, which makes so much more sense now that I understand what they play into."

As the visit progressed, Olivia experienced moments that helped her feel more confident in her interest in the field. One particularly memorable experience was witnessing a treatment setup in person. "A memorable moment was the first time I was able to go into the room and watch them set up a treatment for someone," she recalled. "I was usually only in the room watching what they do on the cameras, but it was so much more different and amazing to watch them do it in person and up close. I feel so comfortable with the therapists because they have helped me so much with understanding what exactly they are doing and why."

Throughout her time at the Cancer Center, Olivia discovered that asking questions was essential to making the most of the experience. "The therapists have really helped me over these past couple months. They have been so welcoming with me asking questions about things that I don’t understand," she said. "A lesson that I have learned from this is don’t be afraid to ask questions, even in a work environment, and even the littlest things you learn can become a big role in your career."

A key figure in her experience was Jen Parker, Olivia’s mentor at the Cancer Center, who played a major role in guiding her throughout the process and helping her navigate the various aspects of the field. Reflecting on Olivia’s time at the site, Jen shared, "We absolutely loved having Olivia on board; she fit right in with our team effortlessly. Olivia was consistently engaged in our activities and discussions, and she always asked insightful questions that demonstrated her genuine interest and curiosity. Her positive attitude and willingness to learn have been truly remarkable. I am excited to see where her future takes her, and I have no doubt that she will achieve great things."

Her learning wasn’t limited to interactions with therapists. Olivia also had the chance to observe professionals from other areas of the field. "I met many radiation therapists, but also professionals who dealt with math, logistics, and physics, which helped me understand that there are many different departments and careers that go into radiation treatment," she explained. "I learned that without the work from these people, people aren’t able to get their treatment successfully and correctly."

Another takeaway from the experience was the value of teamwork. Observing how the healthcare professionals collaborated left a lasting impression. "Seeing all of the therapists work so well together encourages me to work well with groups that I have at school because I want to make the experience fun," Olivia said.

Her time at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center also deepened her personal motivation for pursuing a career in oncology. "I originally wanted to do this because I have had family members who have had cancer, so it made me want to find out things that cause it and how to treat it," she explained. "After going to my field experience and learning what they do, I started to recognize words and phrases from my medical terminology class and applied them to what I had learned in real life like realizing what other people with cancer have had to go through."

Reflecting on her experience, Olivia offered advice for other students who may be considering similar opportunities. "I would tell them that it is okay to be nervous and to not be obligated to like your field experience," she said. "This is for you to find what you want to do in your life, so it is important to feel comfortable in the environment that you could possibly work in in the future."

Jen Parker expressed appreciation for the partnership with the school’s Academy Experience program, adding, "We are always happy to help out, this is a great program...thank you for all you do!"

Olivia’s experience at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center provided valuable insight into the world of oncology and helped solidify her interest in the field. Her journey serves as an inspiring reminder that real-world experiences can play a powerful role in shaping future career paths.