Healthcare and Youth Make the Perfect Combination for Tigest Mequanint

Gathering with hundreds of new freshmen this past weekend for the University of Oregon’s orientation, known as IntroDUCKtion, Tigest Mequanint is ready to begin the next step toward her dream of becoming a doctor. Tigest has already gained an impressive resume of skills and experiences, one of which is interning at MIKE Program this summer through Worksystems’ SummerWorks program. Even as a young student in Ethiopia, Tigest has focused on a career in healthcare.

“I was very happy when Worksystems told me that I would be placed at MIKE Program,” said Tigest, who wanted something connect to the medical field for her first job. “It’s my first paying job and it’s a good one!”

Before she begins her undergraduate studies in biology this fall in Eugene, Tigest is helping MIKE Program with a variety of tasks—from data entry to organizing youth surveys to gain awareness of nonprofit efforts in healthcare and education. She is one of 530 young people who were placed in summer jobs through Worksystems’ SummerWorks program. The program is geared to help young people, 97 percent of whom are low-income and 63 percent of color, prepare for post-secondary education and career-ladder employment. The nonprofit organization, based in Portland, serves youth and adults throughout the city and in Multnomah and Washington Counties.

Her assignment with MIKE Program helps Tigest gain greater insight into the many possibilities in healthcare. She said she’s considering all sectors of the industry. “You can study many fields, here,” she said, who is currently interested in cancer research. “When I hear about cancer, ooh,” she sighs. “I wish there was something I could do to make it better.”

Tigest’s interest in medicine began at a young age, when her mother was a nursing assistant. She says no one in her family had a particular interest in medicine, but for Tigest it was the only career field she thought about. Her goals are to open a medical practice of her own, one day.

Even getting to this point has been an achievement for Tigest. When her mother, Emaye Lakew and brother, Samuel Mequanint, immigrated to the U.S. in 2003, Tigest lived with her aunt in Addis Ababa until she could join her family. “It was hard to be separated,” said Tigest, who arrived in Portland in 2010. Although she says it was difficult to cope with the cultural change at first, she has made great strides in her education, as well as community outreach.

Tigest’s fit with MIKE Program also involves a commitment to youth. Throughout her studies at Westview High School, graduating in June, Tigest has been actively involved in mentoring or supporting youth through many organizations.

As a member of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Oregon Chapter, Tigest volunteered to organize medical equipment at Medical Teams International, as well as perform eyesight screenings for youngsters at Rock Creek Elementary School.

She has volunteered with the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO). Continuing a strong connection with her Ethiopian culture, Tigest choreographs and teaches traditional Ethiopian dances for youth at Heber Ethiopia, a nonprofit based in Portland, now headed by her brother, Samuel. Tigest and her students perform the traditional dances at the annual Ethiopian New Year’s celebration in September.