The Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) national organization is for students interested in health care careers. It provides hands-on experience, leadership development, and a network to help students prepare for careers in the health professions. HOSA also frequently hosts competitive events and leadership conferences. HOSA is supported by the U.S. Department of Education and is integrated into health science education programs in high schools, technical schools, community colleges, and universities.
The Premed Navigator team recently chatted with premed undergrad student Tolu Oluwafemi to learn about her experience participating in HOSA.
- What sparked your interest in a career in the health professions?
I have always been the kid that was dead set on a specific career path. I have journals from a young age where I wrote about my dream of becoming a pediatrician. Now that I am older, I have had many experiences that have confirmed that my childhood dream is truly my life’s calling. Through my experience working in a pediatric office as a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA), I have been blessed to see how a medical office operates and learn how to interact with pediatric patients and their parents, and balance administrative work along with clinical tasks. Being a CCMA has deepened my spark for medicine, and I look forward to the day I can care for my own patients.
- How did you first hear about HOSA, and what made you decide to get involved? In what ways has HOSA influenced your educational or career goals so far?
During my freshman year of high school, I heard over the intercom an announcement for an interest meeting for a premed organization called HOSA. As a curious freshman interested in medicine, I showed up and thought to myself, this would be really cool to participate in. Ever since then, HOSA has truly helped me discover who I am as a person and what I want to do in medicine.
Through HOSA I have grown as a leader. From being a local chapter officer to a state officer, HOSA has shown me what it looks like to serve others. HOSA has also taught me the importance of community, leaning on others, and working collaboratively. HOSA has even influenced my decision to study nutrition on the premed track. Through HOSA, I competed in many events from research posters to health career displays, and through these events I was able to research food medicine which I have fallen in love with. All in all, this organization has truly shaped me as a person and student.
- What’s one experience—inside or outside of school—that confirmed your passion for a career in healthcare?
During my junior year of high school, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend the Application Research Laboratory (ARL) in my local community. This school building housed my county's Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs including the one I participated in, foundations of health care. This program gave me the opportunity to study medical terminology, go in depth on the different body systems, and hear from medical professionals during class. Participating in this program made the field of medicine more real for me and gave me a deeper sense that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Participating in ARL gave me hands-on health care experiences as I was able to become a certified clinical medical assistant and work at a local pediatric office. All of these experiences through ARL confirmed my deep passion towards the career of medicine.
- What advice would you give to other high school students interested in health care careers? Are there any specific resources, programs, or opportunities you’d recommend?
I would say immerse yourself as much as possible in health care related activities. I say this because gaining hands-on medical experience can help you decide if medicine is for you or not. Gaining hands-on experience can also contribute to building your resume and furthering your preparation for college.
One program I always highly recommend is HOSA. This organization helps prepare professional, well-rounded future health professionals. HOSA provides community, local service, and helps with career exploration and development. I would also recommend high school students participate in local medical CTE programs, research, and shadowing a physician.
- How do you manage stress and stay motivated when things get really busy?
Life can get stressful, especially as a premed student. When things get busy for me, I always try to take a moment and breathe. I find when I have an overwhelming schedule, I work best at tackling things when I have it all written out in a to-do list style. I also enjoy meditating on music, going on walks, spending time with God, and leaning on friends when I am stressed out.
About Tolu:
Tolu Oluwafemi is an undergraduate premed student at Nova Southeastern University, where she is majoring in Human Nutrition. An artistic and creative individual, Tolu enjoys photography, dancing, and any hands-on activity that allows her to create something meaningful. In addition to her artistic interests, she has a deep appreciation for nature and often spends her time camping, taking long walks, or visiting the beach.