Discover Your Career Path: A Teen Volunteer’s Story

As a young teen, recognizing your passions and choosing the best career for your strengths and skills is an important but often daunting decision. However, volunteering is the perfect way for teens to learn what career fields are a good match for them, gain important experience, and connect with others who can help them move forward professionally.

While Isabel DiGennaro already knew she wanted to be a physical therapist, she first realized her calling to work with older adults as a teen volunteer at Longview Assisted Living.

When Isabel had to complete a certain number of community service hours as a freshman in high school, she had no strong feelings about where to donate her time. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” she said. “Then my dad said he signed me up to volunteer at Christian Health.”

Isabel was at first apprehensive, but as soon as she started volunteering alongside the physical therapists at Longview, helping the older adults with daily activities and transporting them to and from their therapy, she discovered that she really enjoyed the experience.

“I just loved it,” she said. “It really had an impact on what I wanted to do for my career. I always wanted to focus on physical therapy, but I didn’t know exactly what part of the field was right for me. Now, I know I really want to work with older adults. If I could make an impact on someone’s life, I want to do it for someone who really needs the help, with patience and caring, open arms.”

Isabel said she was inspired to watch how much the physical therapists helped the patients and the significant positive effect they had on their recovery and wellness. “I saw quite a few patients who were in wheelchairs when I started volunteering, who, at the end of my three years as a volunteer, were up and walking with a walker,” she said. “That’s just amazing how much of an impact you can have on a person.”

Volunteering at Christian Health not only helped Isabel determine her future career path – she is now continuing to build her skills and gain valuable experience as a part-time rehab tech at our Bolger Short-Term Rehab while she studies physical therapy in college. As a rehab tech, Isabel works at the front desk, assists the therapists with patients, helps patients with their exercises, and makes the patients’ program schedules.

“I am learning various valuable skills, such as time management skills and communication skills – because you need to be able to effectively communicate with the patients to address their needs,” she said. “It has also taught me to take responsibility – you have to know everything about the patient to properly care for them.”

“It has made me become more motivated and determined by showing me what I can become one day if I keep working hard,” she continued. “Volunteering and now working at Christian Health has really inspired me. This experience has shaped a huge part of who I am today.”

Isabel encourages other teens who are struggling to choose their career path to try volunteering and discover more about themselves and their passions. “Be open-minded: don’t close yourself off or say right away that you won't like it,” she said. “You really never know. You have to try everything, give it your all, and see what is best for you. At the end of the day, it’s a great experience. I honestly think more people nowadays should volunteer – let’s focus on the things that matter.”

Volunteer Your Time

Volunteers are an important part of our mission to provide compassionate care every day. Whether you’re looking to gain valuable experience for a future career or donate your time and efforts to a noble cause, Christian Health offers a variety of volunteering opportunities across our communities.

For more information on lending your time and talents to the volunteer team, please visit ChristianHealthNJ.info/Volunteer or call Caroline Silva, Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator, at (201) 848-5797.

Join Our Team

If you are considering a career in the health care or long-term care industry, we offer a wide range of opportunities to advance professionally while making a difference in the lives of those we serve. Our compassionate, collaborative culture allows our team members to learn, grow, and excel in their careers.

To learn more about how to join our team, please visit ChristianHealthNJ.org/Careers.