Alumni Spotlight

Jade Belsheim

Our March Alumni Spotlight features Diagnostic Medical Sonography graduate – Jade Belsheim! Jade was a student in DMS 1604A and gave it her all, graduating, May 6, 2018. Congratulations Jade on obtaining your certifications and landing a phenomenal job! We are all so proud of you.

 Where have you worked since you graduated and where do you currently work? What is your title?
My first job as a sonographer was working for for Echo Tech Imaging, a diagnostic ultrasound imaging facility and health care registry. I got my feet wet with them – I had to train at each of the facilities Echo Tech contracted with in order to obtain certification to work there.  After I completed the training, I was eligible to work shifts at any of the imaging facilities. However, I wanted something steadier and more stable, so I applied at Valley Presbyterian Hospital where I did my clinical externship. I absolutely love working there. The experience I get there is great, and I love the hospital setting. My current title is Sonographer 1. I am currently certified – ARRT and ARDMS OB/GYN, and plan on obtaining additional certifications.

 What type of things do you do there day to day?
My first priority of course is to perform scans. I am given a list of patients that are scheduled for exams that day and then just go down the list and complete as many exams as I can. Valley Presbyterian does mostly portable scans on inpatients, so I go to the patient’s rooms instead of them coming to us. In my down time when there are no patients to scan, I restock the ultrasound rooms with supplies, such as ultrasound gel and towels. I also decontaminate the machines and work area to keep that clean.

 What do you like about your career?
I get to learn something new every day! Every patient and every case is so different. Every day I am surprised by something new I see or scan – and learning from it.

 What are your career goals for the future?
I want to just keep getting better in my sonography practice.  The more you scan, the better sonographer you will become. And this hands-on environment gives you that every day. I plan on working full time and saving money for my future.

 What advice can you give current students and new graduates that can help them be successful?
My advice to students is to never be afraid to ask questions, ever. I asked so many questions and thankfully instructors like Mr. Dhillon were very understanding and supportive. Also, in the work setting, it is much better to ask a question even though you are terrified not knowing the answer, the it is to make the wrong decision because you were too afraid to ask. Also, my second word of advice – take your certifications right away, so that you can get them done and the knowledge is fresh in your head.

 How did Casa Loma College help you get where you are today?
Casa Loma gave me the education that I have. They gave me the support and resources to be the best sonographer I could be. I always put in the extra effort to stay after class, ask questions, and attend the helpful review sessions that the instructors offer. Do everything and anything that you can. Any free time I had, I took to study. That way, even if I did not pass a test, I knew I did everything that I could have. I never want to live in regret that I could have done more. That’s why it is so important to give it your all.

 What was your experience like getting a job after you graduated? Did you use any of the schools on campus career services? Did you find a job right away?
After graduating, I wanted to focus on my studies in order to pass my certifications. I got my SPI right after the physics class and got my ARRT and ARDMS within a couple months of graduating. So, I got my first sonography job about five months after graduating. Dora De La Mora, my Career Services Advisor, helped me to find a job and provided me multiple resources to help me with my job search.

 What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome getting into the program? While at school? Transitioning into the workforce?
I had to decrease my work schedule when I started the program, yet still maintain an income to live.  Externship was my biggest challenge. Having to be in externship forty hours a week on top of keeping my job trying to make whatever income I could, was basically working sixty-hour work weeks for six months.

 What are some highlights from your time at Casa Loma College?
I am proud of myself for bettering my education and learning so much. I dedicated everything I had to passing the program and getting my certifications.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to go camping and spending time with my fiancé and our dogs. I also love staying at home and reading.

Where do you see yourself five years from now in your career?
I want to continue to grow in my profession and career by becoming certified in more specialty areas. I also want to develop my skills in procedures such as biopsies, paracentesis and thoracenteses.