Area high school students studying Health Careers at the A. K. Smith Center are preparing for future careers in nursing, pharmacy, veterinary science, radiology, and a host of other disciplines in the medical field. But this week, they heard from two experts about a career option they may not have considered: mortuary science.
Ivy Tech Michigan City Pejic Campus Vice Chancellor Rick Soria and Ivy Tech East Chicago Mortuary Science Program Chair Nhemya Ward, both licensed Funeral Directors, visited A. K. Smith on May 8 to talk with Health Careers Academy students about the funeral industry.
“I had heard all the rumors,” Ward told students. “That it was disgusting work, it would give me bad dreams, you name it. But I soon discovered that is not the reality. This is not a gloomy profession. This is a natural part of life, and there is nothing more rewarding than helping a family who has lost a loved one.”
Ward and Soria detailed the tasks of a funeral director, including removing bodies from their place of death, embalming, preparing bodies for viewing, arranging funeral services, and working with grieving families from many cultural backgrounds.
They told students that ideal candidates for the profession are compassionate, detail oriented, have expertise in human anatomy, and enjoy planning events. “Wedding planners work for months to prepare for a major event,” said Ward. “Funeral directors have three to seven days. In both cases, this is a one-time experience and there are no do-overs.”
Soria added that other growing careers in the industry include mortuary law and sales. (Fact: Two of the world’s largest casket manufacturers are located in Indiana!)
Health Careers Academy students asked variety of questions about the field – ranging from “How much can you make?” ($25,000 to start) to “What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen at a funeral?” (a mourner falling in a grave may have topped that list).
A few students expressed an interest in learning more about Ivy Tech’s two-year Mortuary Science program, which prepares candidates for a national licensure exam and a required one-year internship in the industry. Area students can enroll into their general education courses at the Michigan City Pejic campus and then transfer to the Mortuary Science program at the East Chicago De La Garza campus.
For more information about LaPorte County Career and Technical Education Programs for high school students, visit www.EducateMC.net/careertech.
