Opening Doors: The City Tutors and Fairview Partnership
For many students, the idea of working in healthcare was either too distant or too narrow—a world defined by doctors and nurses, requiring years of specialized training. But in a conversation with Salimah Rodriguez of Fairview Rehab & Nursing Home, that perception began to shift.
At first, students approached the discussion with uncertainty, unsure where they might fit into a field that seemed so specific. But Salimah, who manages multiple skilled nursing facilities yet never intended to enter the medical field herself, challenged that view:
“When you think of the medical field, think of it as everything,” she explained. “It’s finance, it’s administration, it’s IT, it’s even beauty—because residents here still want to look and feel their best. The opportunities are much bigger than people realize.”
For students tuning in, this wasn’t just about jobs—it was about expanding their sense of possibility.
One student reflected: "Some of us don’t want to work with patients, but for others, that's exactly what we want to be doing. It’s hard to get into medical school if I’ve never worked with a patient." Another noted that the event was their first time considering healthcare as a career path at all.
Beyond a Single Event: A Pipeline for New Talent
This conversation was not just an introduction to opportunity—it was the start of something bigger. The partnership between Fairview and The City Tutors is designed to create an ongoing bridge between students and the healthcare industry, offering:
Hands-on experience in nursing, HR, administration, therapy, and more.
Mentorship opportunities with professionals across different departments.
Pathways into internships and jobs—with no prior experience required.
“We require absolutely no experience at all,” Salimah told students. “We are also a learning ground. If you’re interested, just send me your information, and we’ll reach out for an interview.”
For many, this direct access to hiring decision-makers was eye-opening. One student expressed frustration with the job market, saying: "I have a bachelor’s degree and couldn’t find work because everyone asked for experience. Then I got a graduate degree in data science—still no experience, back to square one." Fairview’s willingness to hire and train students from all backgrounds was a welcome change.
Salimah sees The City Tutors as a key partner in this effort because of the diverse, motivated students they work with. She noted that City Tutors brings in learners at all stages—some just starting to explore careers, others looking for direct pathways into jobs. This kind of pipeline is exactly what Fairview needs to keep bringing in new talent across multiple departments.
A Vision for the Future
The partnership between Fairview and The City Tutors isn’t just about filling positions—it’s about expanding what students see as possible.
“This is about more than just job opportunities,” said Garri Rivkin, Executive Director of The City Tutors. “It’s about showing students that industries like healthcare aren’t as closed off as they might think. There’s space for them, whether they’re interested in business, finance, IT, or direct patient care.”
The launch event in December was just the first step. As the relationship grows, so will the opportunities—ensuring that students not only gain access to careers, but feel empowered to explore paths they hadn’t considered before.