Students Join Radiologic Professionals for Two Days of Learning and Networking – Posted 4/13/15
Radiography students at County College of Morris (CCM) not only gained a better understanding of their field by attending the annual New Jersey Society of Radiologic Technologists (NJSRT) meeting at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel in Atlantic City last month, several also won awards. They walked away with cash prizes, not from the casino, but from winning first and second place in the radiography poster competition.
CCM students, Blair Cooper, of Oak Ridge; Joenell O’Brian, of Landing; Katelyn Holder, or Randolph; and Danielle Titus, of Hopatcong, were awarded $300 for winning first place in the radiography poster competition for their “Exit for the X-Ray” exhibit, and Devin Lee, of Warren; Matthew Gross, of Long Valley; Jonathan Codispoti, of Flanders; and Joshua Schaikowitz, of Morristown, were awarded $200 for winning second place for their “Properties of X-Rays” poster. Gross also placed eighth out of more than 190 students who competed in the Emma Wolfe Memorial Student Competition, a quiz bowl with trivia about radiography.
CCM students attending the conference were accompanied by Professors Denise Vill’Neuve, Ann Verschuuren and Marian Maloney.
The annual NJSRT meeting is a yearly conference designated for radiologic technologists, teachers and students. Students are able to attend lectures and take part in competitions to reinforce what they learn in the classroom.
The registration fee was subsidized by CCM’s Campus Life radiography budget, allowing each student to attend for free.
Vill’Neuve, chair of the Allied Health program and coordinator of the Radiography program at CCM, says the conference offers students job-seeking opportunities, along with lectures on the interview process and the opportunity to connect with professionals in the field. She adds that the conference also is a helpful way for students to review for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist exam, which graduates need to take to gain certification.
“I think it’s a good thing that they’re all together for one final event before they leave us in August,” Vill’Neuve says.
Although the conference is not mandatory for students, Verschuuren says that she strongly encourages her students to attend for the networking opportunities with future employers.
“I think being actively involved in the radiologic community is one of the many ways of having job security,” says Verschuuren, who joined the CCM faculty in 2014 with more than 35 years of experience in radiography. “This is a very small world even though it’s a very large world. People know each other and your reputation for excellence is easily passed on from one lip to another.”
The radiography program at CCM prepares students to become qualified entry-level radiologic technologists. To learn more, visit https://www.ccm.edu/academics/degrees/radiography.aspx.