How can K-12 students in central Ohio explore healthcare careers?
Has your middle-school student ever wondered what respiratory therapists do for a living? Or has a high schooler you know wanted to explore what a career in research might look like?
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, provides a wide range of opportunities available for area K-12 schools and their students to learn more about the healthcare industry and the variety of career opportunities it offers. From classroom experiences to shadowing clinicians and touring laboratories, we want our young community members to be able to explore concrete healthcare options for their future.
With hands-on experiences, students will be exposed to many different jobs in the healthcare setting, and we’ll educate them on the paths they’ll need to take to be successful in those fields. At the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, we believe healthcare can provide a fulfilling career for anyone.
What types of K-12 healthcare career experiences does Ohio State offer?
We offer a variety of ways for students and educators to learn more about careers in healthcare and discover the distinct pathways available at Ohio State. Priority for fulfilling requests is given to schools in the central Ohio community and those with an active Workforce Partnerships agreement.
Please note: Student experiences are offered during the school year only. Educator experiences are available year-round.
Student and Educator Experiences Available to All K-12 Schools:
- Classroom Experiences – We bring healthcare professionals directly to your classroom to lead interactive presentations or activities that help students explore real-world careers and pathways in the field.
- Phone Call with a Field Expert – Students can connect one-on-one or in small groups with a healthcare professional through a scheduled phone call to learn more about their career journey and ask questions.
- Job Fairs – We partner with your school to provide healthcare professionals for job fairs, helping students discover a wide range of careers and expand their awareness of opportunities in healthcare.
- Educator Externships – We host groups of educators for immersive, on-site experiences that include tours and insights into various healthcare roles, equipping them with knowledge to bring career connections back to their classrooms.
Specialized Clinical Experiences (Reserved for Schools with an Active Workforce Partnerships Agreement):
- Shadowing – Students can make a one-time visit to one of our facilities to observe and witness firsthand the environment and duties associated with their field of interest.
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Internships – We offer a recurring opportunity for a student to observe a field of interest at one of our facilities. Currently, we have internships in the following fields: respiratory therapy, clinical laboratory, imaging, nursing, rehab and sports medicine (occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology) and research.
- Note: To qualify for an internship, the student must be recommended by a school district staff member. When submitting the request form below, please include the name and contact details of the school professional endorsing the student in the Additional Comments box.
- Field Trips – A group of students can attend presentations and participate in immersive tours at one or more of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center facilities.
How do school districts set up a Workforce Partnerships agreement with Ohio State?
Our formal Workforce Partnerships agreements are currently at capacity.
If you are an authorized school district representative and would like more information about future alternative learning opportunities, please contact Elizabeth Lanker, director of Workforce Partnerships, at Elizabeth.Lanker@osumc.edu. We kindly ask that parents and individual students do not submit requests on behalf of their school district.
How do I request a healthcare career experience for my student or school?
Thank you for your interest in partnering with our team to create an experience that inspires our future healthcare professionals. This form should be used for any K-12 student experience that you are requesting from our medical center. We ask for a minimum of 60 days so that we can best plan for your needs.
Are you an Ohio State undergraduate student looking for a shadowing experience?
This form is strictly for K-12 experiences. If you are a college student looking for clinical shadowing opportunities at the medical center, please reach out to Laura Hanley at Laura.Hanley@osumc.edu.
