School-to-Work: Kids learn first-hand life at a hospital

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For kids in their final years of high school, the pressure starts to build about what they plan to do following graduation. Some have no idea what they will do. 

To help, Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay created the School-To-Work program, connecting at-risk kids with professionals in the workplace. 

“We’re here to help them navigate that transition from high school to life after and to make sure that they have that plan in place to be successful,” said Laura Petitt, the program director. 

A new partnership this year was made with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg. 

Carly Gerdes is the sepsis clinical coordinator at the hospital, but now she also has an additional title: Big Sister. 

Her “Little” is Dorine Banyeretse, 16.

“We were looking at stroke alert sepsis, and we see how the doctors treat the patients and also common procedures that she goes through,” said Banyeretse.

The two have been paired since the spring semester.

“It’s a nice experience,” said Banyeretse. “Overall, you get to make new friends, and they feel like meeting your big is just a wonderful connection to have.”

She is one of 25 students paired up with medical staff at Orlando Health Bayfront.

They spend two hours, once a month, for two school years together. That length of time allows for strong bonds to form.

“So we’ll continue together until she graduates and leaves me,” said Gerdes with a sad laugh.

The pair are very close, though Banyeretse admits she does not want to be an ER nurse. 

“After high school, I’m looking forward to going into neurology. Or like, majoring in neuroscience,” said Banyeretse. 

Gerdes fully supports her dream and works to make sure Banyeretse is exposed to situations a neurologist would be called in for. 

“It can help them decide what path they might want to take,” said Gerdes. “She’s interested in the neuro paths. So even though I do sepsis and then in the E.R., we still we have stroke alerts and stuff that I’m exposing her to so she can see all different sides of the E.R.” 

They also set yearly goals together. Banyeretse’s goal is to keep straight As and to bump her GPA by .1. 

“Currently I have a 4.49,” Banyeretse said with a laugh. 

Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital is one of many workplaces students are visiting. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters said in total there are 400 kids in the program, spread out between Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Pasco counties.