While many students spent their summer break away from the classroom, Central Tech Medical Assisting student McKinsey Boothe continued building career skills through a volunteer internship at Ascension St. John's in Tulsa.

Boothe, a senior at Mannford High School and second-year Medical Assisting student at Central Tech, spent the summer gaining firsthand experience in the hospital's Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The opportunity allowed her to apply concepts learned in class while exploring a variety of healthcare careers and workplace environments.

Throughout the internship, Boothe assisted staff with everyday patient care support tasks, including restocking patient rooms, responding to call lights, organizing supplies, and shadowing nurses throughout the hospital. The experience also gave her opportunities to observe how different departments work together to provide patient care.

In addition to her work at the Surgical ICU, Boothe participated in weekly learning experiences coordinated by hospital staff. She attended presentations from healthcare professionals, toured the Emergency Department, met with EMTs, listened to discussions about prosthetic care, and participated in case-study exercises that challenged volunteers to evaluate patient information and develop treatment recommendations.

Boothe said her training at Central Tech helped her better understand what she observed throughout the internship. "I feel like I learned more because I understood what they were saying," she said. "It was really cool to have a deeper understanding of what I've been learning in class."

Although Boothe always knew she wanted a career in health care, a visit to Central Tech for CT Showcase helped her find the right path. After touring classes and talking with current students, she knew Medical Assisting was the right fit. So much so that she completed her application on the bus ride back to school.

Today, Boothe is preparing to complete the program and begin working as a medical assistant after graduation. She plans to continue her education and pursue a nursing degree.

Boothe's experience highlights how Central Tech students continue learning beyond the classroom, building technical skills, industry connections, and confidence as they prepare for careers in Oklahoma's workforce.