My name is Izzy Sternagle for the past 2 summers, I have worked at an Orthopedic surgery center. Getting hired at a professional medical facility at 16 years old for my first job is far from the norm. for Most teenagers their first job is at some kind of food or retail store, and mine was at a place where I had to go to Human Resources my first day and fill out liability, confidentiality, and tax forms (which was really confusing). Prior to starting my job, I had to become basic life support certified for healthcare workers. In my class I was the only person under the age of 30 and almost every person in the class was either a dentist or nurse, while I was a 16 year old girl who was just trying to work a summer job.

When I started at the surgery center, the closest person in age to me was 11 years older, and the conversations revolved around rent, savings, and insurance a little too often for my taste. But because I had my first job in an extremely professional setting, I felt like it has prepared me for a “real” job in the future. I was taught how to treat patients with respect and kindness on what can be one of the worst and scariest days of their lives. I learned to be responsible with my time management. I worked 30 hours a week. I clocked in at 6:30am and stayed until 2pm, 4 days a week. I also had to wake up at 5:15am every day because I live in Marietta and my work was in Sandy Springs, which was at least a 30 minute commute in the mornings. I also learned how to brave the rush hour traffic on both I-75 and I-285, which is its own skill and talent itself.

At work I was also able to watch surgeries and learned I am thankfully not squeamish went it comes to blood, which I am extremely grateful for because otherwise my entire life plan would have derailed. My favorite surgeries to watch were either hand surgeries because they are extremely detailed and precise, or total knee replacements because you can see so much of the surgery (but I am 75% sure I could not do a total knee surgery myself fully because of the strength aspect, a literal mallet and drill is used). The photo attached was of my last day, where I got to fully dress out for a total hip replacement and stand next to the operating table (they tied the sleeves behind my back so I could not accidentally contaminate the sterile field). Although my first work experience was not the norm, I would not have changed anything and cannot wait to go back for as many summers as they let me.