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June 28, 2024
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Mayo Clinic's Career Immersion Program offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with experts in some of the most sought-after healthcare fields.
Thirty-one Minnesota high school students participated in a four-day residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in late June. They learned about health science careers ranging from echocardiography to physician assistant.
The Career Immersion Program, presented by Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with experts in some of the most sought-after health science fields. More than 250 students from across Minnesota have come to Mayo Clinic to explore careers since the program's inception in 2016. Many have gone on to careers in healthcare.
"The Career Immersion Program has proven to open the doors for many high school juniors and seniors who are keenly interested in health science and medical careers," says Martha-Gracia Knuttinen, M.D., Ph.D., associate dean for Admissions, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. "During their days at Mayo Clinic, they learn firsthand about the most in-demand healthcare careers with personalized attention. It's an extraordinary opportunity, and the students who come here are motivated to take full advantage."
On Monday, students had hands-on sessions to learn about careers in histology, physical therapy, and echocardiography. They also learned what it would be like to work as an ophthalmic assistant or paramedic. The focus Tuesday was on radiography, nuclear medicine, sonography, clinical neurophysiology, phlebotomy, and respiratory therapy. Students also learned about other careers including nurse anesthetist, surgical first assistant, pharmacy technician, radiation therapist, and social worker.
"One key to the Career Immersion Program's success is students' hands-on participation with the tools of the health sciences trades — life-preserving emergency medicine paramedic equipment, ultrasound equipment for heart scans, specialized MRI diagnostics, physical therapy techniques, and more, in the 18 health science careers that learners experience with us," says Mary Bany, operations administrator, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.
Admission to the program is competitive, and participants come from diverse backgrounds and from all over Minnesota.