Opportunities
Resources
Upcoming Events
What is an Opportunity?
The Opportunities listed below give middle school, high school and college-level students a hands-on experience as a health care professional. Opportunities take place at colleges, high schools, hospitals, and career and technical centers near you and may be geared towards specific ages, grades, or schools.
Opportunities in your Region:
Northern Vermont AHEC Pathways
SUMMER
The Institute on Health & Medicine
For Grades: 9-11
At this Institute you will:
- Explore careers in health science, research, and medicine.
- Practice hands-on medical skills like assessing vital signs and interviewing patients.
- Earn certifications in CPR, First Aid, and Emergency First Responder.
- Choose from a variety of hands-on lab activities and workshops led by health professionals and college faculty.
- Work closely with medical student mentors throughout the week.
- Have the time of your life!
For more information: Governor's Institutes of Vermont, Northern Vermont AHEC
ACADEMIC YEAR
HERO
For Grades: 9-12
HERO, which stands for Health Exploration Resources and Opportunities, is a no-cost 1-to-1 online mentoring program that pairs high school students with volunteer medical students trained in mentoring and STEM education. HERO is a unique opportunity for interested students to explore health career exploration tools, human anatomy and physiology, disease etiology, and community health topics. The goal of the program is to support science achievement and postsecondary pathway planning for Vermont teens.
The program is open to all 9th through 12th graders residing in northern Vermont.
Applications have closed for the 2024-2025 school year. Watch here for information next year!
Contact: Lanie Billings 802-748-2506 lbillings@nvtahec.org
Kingdom Career Connect
For Grade: 8
Kingdom Career Connect is an interactive career event at Vermont State University - Lyndon sponsored in partnership by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, Vermont State University, the J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation, and the Northern Vermont AHEC. It is a unique opportunity for 8th grade students to have hands-on exploration of careers in advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, agriculture and health care.
Contact: Northern Vermont AHEC, Vermont State University
Career and Technical Education Centers
There are many CTE Centers in Vermont each offering a variety of programs for students interested in health and medicine. Program offerings and details vary by center, but many offer opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials while still in high school.
Addison County
Bennington County
Caledonia County
- Lyndon Institute Career and Technical Education
- St. Johnsbury Academy Adult Education
- St. Johnsbury Academy Career and Technical Education
Chittenden County
Essex County
Franklin County
Lamoille County
Orange County
Orleans County
Rutland County
Washington County
Windham County
Windsor County
University of New England - Health Careers Explorations Camp
For Grades: 10 11 12
Every year, the University of New England hosts a free health career exploration camp for high school students from rural or underserved communities to participate in hands-on activities to learn about careers in health care. In addition, they learn about the college admissions process.
During the camp, students learn about careers in dental hygiene, dental medicine, osteopathic medicine, neuroscience, neurodevelopmental and related disabilities treatment, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and public health.
Applications are accepted from students throughout the US. Maine students from rural and underserved communities and those who have more limited access to such opportunities will be given priority consideration.
https://www.une.edu/ahec/pipeline-programs#healthcareerscamp
Mt. Ascutney Hospital - Daring to Care
This seven week program at Mt. Ascutney Hospital is offered during the summer each year and is open to junior and senior high school students in the Upper Valley area.
As a Daring to Care volunteer, you’ll learn firsthand what it’s like to work in a busy, modern hospital, assisting patients, families and staff every day – and gaining experience that will enhance your high school resume and college application. Daring to Care volunteers attend classes in basic health care skills such as communication, confidentiality, and more. Following 15 hours of classroom work, students then have the opportunity to volunteer for rotations in various hospital departments and long-term care settings.
Dartmouth High School Summer Internship Program
The Dartmouth Health High School Foundations Summer Internship Program combines paid work, professional development, mentoring, and experiential learning into a robust summer experience. Its goal is to spark a lasting interest in the many career pathways available in the healthcare industry while also offering you the opportunity to practice important workplace skills.
This program is for students going into their junior or senior year of high school and local or regional to the Dartmouth Health System.
https://dhwri.org/internship-programs/high-school-summer-internships-program/
CDC Museum Public Health Academy
The CDC Museum Public Health Academy Online Summer Course is a web-based course with both synchronous and asynchronous components. The course reflects the museum’s mission of educating the public about CDC’s work. Admission is open to high-school students during the summer before their junior or senior years.
https://www.cdc.gov/museum/education/online-learning/
Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)
College Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors
A free summer program for students to explore their interests in medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health, and more. The program takes place at 11 partner institutions across the US and offers students a chance to develop competencies for becoming successful applicants to health profession programs, plan academic journeys, get clinical exposure, and network.
For more information, contact your regional AHEC:
Northern Vermont AHEC
www.nvtahec.org
802-748-2506
Southern Vermont AHEC
www.svtahec.org
802-885-2126