Exploring Healthcare Careers: Career Exploration Programs for High School Students

For high school students eager to dive into the world of healthcare and biomedical sciences, Penn State College of Medicine provides a wealth of opportunities to explore potential career paths. These programs are specifically designed to offer valuable insights and hands-on experiences, helping students make informed decisions about their future.

Research Observation and Internships: Get a Taste of Scientific Discovery

For those curious about the research side of medicine, Penn State offers both short-term research observation and extended research internships.

Research Observation (Shadowing): Ideal for students wanting a brief introduction to research, these one- to two-day shadowing experiences allow you to observe research professionals in action. It’s a fantastic way to understand the daily life of a researcher without hands-on involvement.
Research Internships: If you’re looking for a more immersive experience, research internships offer practical, hands-on laboratory experience over several weeks or months. These internships are excellent for career exploration and strengthening college applications. To be eligible, students should be in good academic standing and can directly contact mentors (MD, PhD, DVM, or equivalent) at the College of Medicine, identified through the Penn State Research Portal. This option is open to students older than 16 whose research project is part of their academic curriculum.

Read more about high school research shadowing and internships

Health Care Career Exploration Program: Community-Focused Healthcare Exploration

In partnership with Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and local high schools, the Health Care Career Exploration Program (HCEP) supports rising high school seniors interested in healthcare careers. This program provides a comprehensive overview through observation, interactive seminars, problem-based learning sessions, and shadowing opportunities. It’s a great way to gain a broad understanding of different healthcare roles within a community setting.

PULSE: Immerse Yourself in Medical Topics

PULSE, a unique collaboration between medical students and high schoolers, is a semester-long academic course held at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Meeting once a week in the fall, PULSE introduces high school students to a range of medical topics through engaging lectures, small group learning, and hands-on activities like labs, simulations, exhibits, and student presentations. It’s an engaging way to cultivate a deeper interest in medicine and healthcare.

Read more about PULSE and see application

Inspired Nursing: Discover the Diverse World of Nursing

Inspired Nursing is designed for high school students, college students, and anyone outside of healthcare programs who are interested in exploring a nursing career. This program highlights the diverse roles and opportunities within nursing. Participants will hear from nurses in various specialties, engage in clinical activities in the Simulation Center, and tour clinical nursing areas within the medical center. It’s an insightful program to understand the breadth of a nursing career.

Surgery Live!: Step into the Operating Room Virtually

Surgery Live!, a partnership between Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, offers an innovative way to explore surgical careers. Through interactive high-definition videoconferencing technology, high school students are connected directly to operating rooms at Hershey Medical Center. Supported by Highmark BlueShield, this program provides a thrilling glimpse into the world of surgery.

Capital Area Science & Engineering Fair: Showcase Your Scientific Talents

The Capital Area Science & Engineering Fair (CASEF), held annually at the Whitaker Center, is open to students in grades 9-12. This fair provides a platform for high school students to present their science and engineering projects, fostering interest in STEM fields and potentially healthcare-related innovations.

These diverse career exploration programs at Penn State College of Medicine offer high school students multiple pathways to discover their passion for healthcare and biomedical sciences, providing experiences that can shape their academic and professional futures.