CTE Graduate Profile

CAREER PATH

Following the completion of my CNA and graduation from West Aurora High School, I attended Aurora University where I graduated with a BA, double majoring in Political Science & Psychology. I then completed an accelerated Master of Public Administration Degree, also from Aurora University, during which I logged over 400 hours of internship with the Kane County Health Department under the Director of Disease Prevention before transitioning to the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Division. I am now the Emergency Response Coordinator for the Kane County Health Department and currently working on the planning team for COVID-19 mass vaccination in Kane County.

Cadence Griffiths

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS NEEDED FOR THIS CAREER

HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED

West Aurora High School Aurora, Illinois – Kane County

Excellent communication skills are a must, along with time management, the ability to foster interpersonal relationships, and being adaptive to quickly changing information or scenarios. Part of planning for emergency response is to plan for the unknown.

CTE DEPARTMENT/CLASSES ENROLLED IN DURING HIGH SCHOOL

HOSA CNA

ADVICE TO HIGH SCHOOL CTE STUDENTS

CURRENT JOB TITLE

Emergency Response Coordinator

Take every opportunity available to you, it might not seem directly correlated to your dream job in the moment but you will learn priceless skills and lessons along the way.

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT

Kane County Health Department

CAREER PATHWAY

HOW HAS CTE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE/CAREER?

Human and Public Services

Obtaining my CNA through HOSA really built a foundation of success for me. It allowed me to leave high school with the credentials needed for an above average paying job with flexible hours to sustain me through college.