College students have limited exposure to the numerous rewarding opportunities in public health and health care. In addition, the field has high barriers to entry and lacks well-defined career and educational paths (including entry-level positions), making it difficult for many students to acquire needed education, experience, and job opportunities. Recognizing these barriers, the HCC’s approach is to create a healthy career pathway that supports career opportunity, psychosocial needs, individual aspiration, and confidence. These elements are key predictors of success for college and entry into post-graduate health professions schools, particularly for underrepresented minorities.
Based on this evidence, HCC’s program connects college students with internship opportunities through which they gain the necessary exposure, experience, and mentorship to discover and launch their authentic health careers. HCC offers an educational stipend, so the expense is not a barrier to participating in this opportunity as is often the case for underrepresented students. In addition, HCC connects participants with diverse role models, fosters community support, and provides specialized training to inspire and prepare program participants to become change agents in their organizations, communities, and our nation.
Exposure
to career possibilities, role models, and how health organizations operate.
Paid Experience
to learn by doing, apply knowledge, hone their professional skills, and build self-confidence.
Mentoring
to provide direction regarding career plans and support interpersonal development.
Professional development
to increase knowledge and skills on key topics and professional competencies.
Networking
to connect with peers, the HCC team, HCC partners, HCC alumni, and local and national professional networks.
Through this approach, HCC interns are empowered to make better-informed decisions about their health career and graduate education choices. It also opens doors for them to launch their health careers. Interns have major “ha’s” as they discover what they do and don’t want to do. They also learn how to get from where they are to where to be and have stronger connections and support to help them succeed.
HCC provides support to alumni through staff and our alumni network so that individuals can obtain the support and connections they need as they progress to the next stages in their careers.
