Mohamed Ahmed’s passion for a career in health care came from lived experience, as he spent many hours in hospitals supporting family members.
“I was in and around hospitals a lot growing up, and I always have appreciated how responsible health care workers are, and how they have a direct impact on others’ lives,” says Ahmed, a freshman at Dougherty Family College.
C3 Fellow Mohamed Ahmed
“Someone can come in and not be feeling their best, and a nurse can make them feel better, so that emotionally and mentally, [the patient] is in a whole different space.”
C3 Fellows career connection
Ahmed connected to the C3 Fellows program at the urging of Kris Donnelly, Corporate Internship Program Director at Dougherty Family College. The C3 Fellows program is an initiative of the Central Corridor Anchor Partnership that connects health care students from diverse backgrounds to opportunities in their fields of study at M Health Fairview, Hennepin Health, and Regions/Health Partners.
Participating colleges include Augsburg University, Minneapolis College, Saint Paul College, University of St. Thomas/Dougherty Family College, and St. Catherine University. Program Director Shawn Vang works with college and employer partners to facilitate career connections for students.
At the start of the school year, Ahmed planned to study full-time and not take on the additional responsibility of a job. He changed his mind when Donnelly connected him with Vang.
Kris Donnelly, Corporate Internship Program Director,
Dougherty Family College
“I told Kris [Donnelly] about my ambitions and wanting to be in the medical field, and she told me she could connect me with the right people to get my foot in the door,” explains Ahmed.
“I interviewed with Shawn for the C3 Fellows program and he gave me options of places to work as well as available opportunities."
Ahmed appreciates the leg up C3 Fellows provided in obtaining a health care job. "It helped to have the C3 Fellows connection when I interviewed with St. Joseph’s because the interviewer who I connected with over the phone had been told by Shawn about me, and she already knew where I was coming from," says Ahmed. "Without the program, I would be a little lost in terms of starting work and where to go.”
"Without the program, I would be a little lost in terms of starting work and where to go."
School-work balance
Ahmed, whose parents immigrated to the United States but who has lived his whole life in the Twin Cities, says that the C3 Fellows program helped him smoothly transition from being a full-time student into his current, flexible part time job as a patient transport aide at St. Joseph’s Hospital, part of the M Health Fairview system.
“I am in a more casual position that is more flexible, and I am meeting other transporters and other staff in general,” says Ahmed. “I work everywhere around the hospital and take patients everywhere."
"This opportunity would have shown me if health care wasn’t something I wanted to be in," Ahmed continues.
C3 Fellows Director Shawn Vang
"For me, it’s done the opposite. Seeing what nurses are doing every day to directly care for patients has reassured my admiration for the health care profession. It makes me know I want to be here, and gives me experience and exposure to working in health care."
As Ahmed begins his new role, he appreciates Vang’s continued support.
“We had a back and forth before and after my interview, and he is always checking in to see if I am liking my work,” says Ahmed of Vang. “He’s been great. If I get my CNA license, I can talk to Shawn to see what other opportunities are out there.”
"Seeing what nurses are doing every day to directly care for patients has reassured my admiration for the health care profession. It makes me know I want to be here, and gives me experience and exposure to working in health care."
Continued commitment to care
This summer, Ahmed plans to take on more hours as a patient transport aide, and has his sights set on continuing to blend his educational and career growth.
“In five years, I plan to be in PA school or medical school, and I can see myself still working part time, as a patient transport aide or in another role in health care, getting more patient care experience," says Ahmed.
"I might want to get training while I’m still in school to work part time as an EMT in an ambulance, or as a first responder, providing help necessary to people in emergency situations.”