July 8, 2025

By Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science staff

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High school students from Minnesota spent four days exploring 18 allied healthcare careers at Mayo Clinic's Career Immersion Program in Rochester.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, welcomed 44 high school juniors and seniors from across the state to explore in-demand healthcare careers through hands-on experiential learning at the annual Career Immersion Program in late June. The experience also introduced them to educational pathways offered by Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. 

The ninth annual event, a four-day residency held June 23-26, offered high school juniors and seniors an intensive opportunity to learn with experts in 18 health science fields. Nearly 300 students have come to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to explore careers since the program's inception in 2016. Many have gone on to careers in healthcare at Mayo Clinic and elsewhere.

Students who participated in the event were able to:

• Explore the fastest-growing careers in healthcare.
• Connect with Mayo Clinic health sciences professionals, including Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences faculty, students and staff.
• Gain insights into academic paths for enrolling in health sciences programs. 
• Network with other students interested in the healthcare field. 

"For high school juniors and seniors excited about health science careers, the Career Immersion Program is a game-changer — it's where curiosity turns into opportunity," says Mary Bany, administrator for the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. "This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity, and the students who participate are all in, ready to learn, grow and go further."

The program, which provides room and board for the week, began with orientation on Sunday, June 22. 

The event included sessions on these careers and topics:

• Histology Technician
• Ophthalmic Assistant
• Emergency Medicine Paramedic
• Physician Assistant
• Phlebotomy Technician
• Pharmacy Technician
• Radiation Therapist
• Surgical First Assistant
• Medical Social Worker
• Radiography
• Sonography
• Clinical Neurophysiology
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Nurse Anesthesia
• Respiratory Therapy
• Echocardiography
• Physical Therapy

Admission to the program is competitive, and this year, participants came from 31 communities in Minnesota.

"Students dive into experiencing real-world healthcare careers, get one-on-one guidance and come away with a good sense of what their futures can hold," says Martha-Gracia Knuttinen, M.D., Ph.D., associate dean at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. "These are some of the most exciting careers in healthcare, and students are supported by mentors who help them understand how to pursue those careers with confidence."

The application period for the 2026 Career Immersion Program is expected to begin in January.