Opportunities for High School Students
High school is the best time to start planning for your future in healthcare.
Check out the table below to explore more health career engagement opportunities in Wisconsin that can help on your journey. Get involved today!
See an error or know of an opportunity that should be added to the table? Let us know!
| Program Title | Date(s) | Format - Location | Application Process | Program Description | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Stars | SUMMER - Two months in Summer | In-Person - Milwaukee, WI | Opens on November 1, Closes on February 1 | An eight-week summer internship for students interested in health science careers. Students receive mentorship, practical education, research training, and professional development. | https://ctsi.mcw.edu/community/empower-the-future/500-stars |
| AHEC The Pulse | SUMMER | In-Person - St. Croix County, WI | TBD | A three-day healthcare exploration that provides students with hands-on activities facilitated by instructors and healthcare professionals. | https://www.nwwisconsinahec.org/the-pulse-1 |
| AHEC VIrtual Reality (VR) Simulations | YEAR-ROUND | In-Person - Various Locations in Wisconsin | Contact Tyler Schmidt at North Central AHEC, tschmidt@nahec-wi.org | VR simulations in EMT, Registered Nurse, Surgical Technologist, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant, CNA, Lab Tech, and Phlebotomist, and Radiologic Technologist. | https://ahec.wisc.edu/virtual-reality-vr-simulations/ |
| Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM) | SUMMER - Mid June through Early August | In-Person - Milwaukee, WI | Opens in November, Closes in March | A six-week summer program offering clinical shadowing, hands-on simulations, and mentorship for high school students interested in healthcare. | https://www.mcw.edu/education/pathway-programs/for-high-school-students |
| ARISE High School Cancer Research Program | SUMMER - Mid June through Early August | In-Person - Madison, WI | Closes in February | A seven-week summer program in cancer biology with lab work, ethics discussions, professional development, and career exploration | https://cancer.wisc.edu/research/education/high-school-education/ |
| Bellin Nursing & Allied Health Camps | SUMMER | In-Person - Green Bay, WI | Closes When All Camp Spots Are Filled | Camp with hospital shadowing, panel discussions, and hands-on simulations in nursing and allied health (radiology, sonography, radiation therapy, surgical assisting). | https://www.bellincollege.edu/admissions/visit/summer-camps/ |
| BioPharmaceutical Technology Center (BTC) Institute | YEAR-ROUND | In-person - Madison, WI | Ongoing | The BTC Institute offers many opportunities for K-12 students to get hands-on, lab-based experiences through summer camps, field trips, and youth apprenticeship programs. | https://www.btci.org/k-12-programs/ |
| Career Pathway in Healthcare (CTE) | YEAR-ROUND - Fall Academic Term and/or Spring Academic Term | In-Person - Various High Schools in Wisconsin | Contact your School Counselor | Pathway of dual college credit health science courses, industry credential opportunities, and career-based learning opportunities. | https://ahec.wisc.edu/highschool/ |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College Health Care Academies | YEAR-ROUND - Fall Academic Term and/or Spring Academic Term | In-Person - Various Locations in Chippewa Valley OR Online Live | Opens November 3, 2025 | Program in "Healthcare and Emergency Services" offers CNA, EMT, pre-nursing, and medical terminology courses. | https://www.cvtc.edu/admissions/college-credit-opportunities-in-high-school/hs-academies |
| Dental Discovery Day | YEAR-ROUND - During school year | In-Person - Various Locations in Wisconsin OR Online Live | Opens in Sept each year | One-day event to learn about dental health professions - dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, dental lab technician, and dental therapist - through a hands-on workshop. | https://ahec.wisc.edu/dental/ |
| Fritz Wenzel Science Conference | WINTER - A Saturday in February annually | In-person - Marshfield, WI | Registration link on annual flyer | This conference offers an array of lectures, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and tours, designed to inspire high school students to pursue a career in the science field and encourage high school science teachers to enhance their classroom environment by incorporating the most relevant aspects of healthcare science and technology. | https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/education/ContinuingEducation/Documents/Fritz-Wenzel-Science-Conference.pdf |
| Health Science Academy | YEAR-ROUND - Two Full Academic Years | In-Person - La Crosse, WI | TBD | Two-year program that offers thematic instruction, career exploration, job shadows, clinical experience, health science labs, mentorship, research, certification, and internships. | https://www.lacrosseschools.org/health-science-academy/ |
| Healthcare Academy | YEAR-ROUND - Fall Academic Term and/or Spring Academic Term | In-Person - Green Bay, WI | Contact your School Counselor | Program that offers online healthcare college courses, career exploration opportunities, mentorship from professionals, and youth apprenticeship. | https://www.bellincollege.edu/academics/beyond-the-classroom/high-school/healthcare-academy/ |
| Healthcare Experience and Research in Oncology (HERO) | SUMMER: July 20-31, 2026 | Online Live | Apply by April 24, 2026 Application form + essays + teacher recommendation form | Two week synchronous virtual program. Program activities are designed to foster an interest in oncology-related careers and provide experience with cancer research. | https://cancer.wisc.edu/research/education/high-school-education/hero/ |
| High School Science Research Internship (UW–Madison) | SUMMER - Summer Semester | In-Person, Madison, WI | TBD | A nine-week summer research mentorship program where students spend 20-25 hours/week doing lab work that culminates a poster symposium. | https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/curriculum-instruction/science/high-school-science-research-internship-program |
| HOPE (Health Occupations & Professions Exploration) - UW Health, Madison | SUMMER - Summer Semester | In-Person - Madison, WI | Ongoing Review | Program offering career exploration, mentorship opportunities, and hands-on health science learning experiences. | https://hopemadisonwi.org/ |
| Indigenous Health & Wellness Day | SPRING | In-Person - Madison, WI | TBD | A one-day event introducing high school students to health careers, scholarships, and supportive resources. | https://www.med.wisc.edu/news/20th-indigenous-health-and-wellness-day/ |
| Mid-State Health Career Academy | YEAR-ROUND - One Academic Semester | In-Person - Adams, WI | Ongoing Review | A one-semester academy that allows Adams-Friendship High School students to shadow and earn the Healthcare Foundations certificate. | https://www.mstc.edu/health-career-academy |
| Morgridge Institute Rural Summer Science Camp | SUMMER - One Week in Summer | In-Person - Madison, WI | Ongoing Review | A weeklong camp for students to engage with UW–Madison scientists in cutting-edge wet-lab research -- stem cells, bioinformatics, medical engineering, and more. | https://morgridge.org/community/programs/rural-summer-science-camp/ |
| Northcentral Technical College Health Academy | YEAR-ROUND - Junior Year, Summer Between Junior/Senior Year, Senior Year | In-Person - Medford, WI | Ongoing Review | Pathway of dual credit for dental hygiene, medical laboratory technician, radiography, paramedic technician, fire medic, certified nursing assistant, nursing, and surgical technologist. | https://www.ntc.edu/sites/default/files/2024-05/health-academy.pdf |
| Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Technician Training | YEAR-ROUND - Fall, Spring, or Summer Semester (NA) Spring or Summer Semester (PCT) | In-Person - Green Bay, WI | Closes August 22 for Session 1, August 29 for Session 2, and October 10 for Session 3 (NA); TBD (PCT) | Enrollment in Nursing Assistant or Patient care Technician programs to get real credentials and career prep. | https://www.bellincollege.edu/academics/beyond-the-classroom/high-school/healthcare-academy/ |
| PATCH (Providers and Teens Communicating for Health) | September 2026-June 2027 | Hybrid - Oneida and Vilas Counties, WI | Sept. 14, 2026 | A paid nine-month program that trains youth to be the experts and share what they know about being teens, including perspectives on health and health care. | https://ahec.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/99/2026/07/PATCH-Position-Description-2026.pdf |
| Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program | SUMMER - One Year Program with Boot Camp | In-Person - Milwaukee, WI | TBD | Several-day summer boot camp, followed by a year of mentorship, hands-on activities, pharmacy shadowing, and research. | https://www.mcw.edu/education/pharmacy-school/programs/pre-pharmacy-scholars-program |
| Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science Curriculum | YEAR-ROUND - Fall Academic Term and/or Spring Academic Term | In-Person - 49 School Districts in Wisconsin | Contact your School Counselor | Curriculum that applies real-world issues by exploring topics like disease, DNA analysis, and public health. Students can earn college credit, apprenticeships, internships, and scholarships. | https://www.pltw.org/curriculum/biomedical-science |
| SHE Oncology Internship | SUMMER | Online Live | TBD | A two-week summer internship with faculty lectures, panel discussions, and skill-building workshops. Students work on genetics-based research project and patient case study. | https://cancer.mcw.edu/trainees/middle-and-high-school-students |
| So Many Options - Wisconsin Healthcare Careers | YEAR-ROUND | On-demand | No application needed, open access online | This career exploration website is a hub for health care career information and a great place to explore careers for you! | https://www.wihealthcarecareers.com/ |
| StEP-UP | YEAR-ROUND - November through April | In-Person - Milwaukee, WI | Opens on August 1, Closes on September 30 | Across six Saturdays during the academic year, students participate in interactive sessions with MCW students, physicians, and other health professionals. | https://www.mcw.edu/education/pathway-programs/for-high-school-students |
| SUPREMES | YEAR-ROUND - One Academic Year | In-Person - Milwaukee, WI | Opens in February | A year-long program with biomedical research, clinical research, and technology development in laboratories. Students will share findings with others and gain increased scientific literacy. | https://mcw.marquette.edu/biomedical-engineering/supremes-program/ |
| UW Carbone Cancer Center ARISE Program | SUMMER | In-Person - Madison, WI | TBD | ARISE provides science education, including a wide array of cancer focused activities to bolster skills, and community experiences to improve student potential to thrive in advanced degree science programs and engage in cancer related careers. | https://cancer.wisc.edu/research/education/high-school-education/ |
| UW- Stevens Point Health Careers Camp | SUMMER | In-Person - Stevens Point, WI | Closes in May | A four-day camp with tours of local hospitals, hands-on workshops, and interactive discussions. Students will network with PT, Nursing, Child Life Specialists, Nutritionists, SLP, and more. | https://www3.uwsp.edu/conted/Pages/Health-Careers-Camp.aspx |
| UW-Green Bay Freshwater Summer Scholars Internship | SUMMER - 120 Hours Over Summer | In-Person - Green Bay, WI | TBD | A 120-hour program that entails mentorship, a research project, and presentation at the Lakeshore Water Summit. This is for students interested in water quality. | https://www.uwgb.edu/freshwater-scholars/ |
| UW–Madison LEAP Forward Internship | SUMMER | In-Person - Madison, WI | TBD | A six-week internship in diverse health research or clinical settings - public health, mental health, veterinary, cell biology. Includes workshops, campus tours, and credit options. | https://studentjobs.wisc.edu/leapforward/#what |
| UW–Madison Pharmacy Summer Program | SUMMER | In-Person - Madison, WI | Opens March, Closes April | A five-day residential camp where students can explore hands-on activities, network with PharmD students and faculty, and tour the campus. | https://pharmacy.wisc.edu/pharmd/high-school-summer-program/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |
| UW-Oshkosh Pulse Medical Program | SUMMER | In-Person - Oshkosh, WI | Closes in March | A program that provides academic and professional development courses and hands-on activities to help students prepare for college nursing. | https://www.uwosh.edu/precollege/programs/ |
| UW-Whitewater Upward Bound | YEAR-ROUND | In-Person - Whitewater, WI | TBD | Program that includes Saturday Colleges, after school study centers, a six-week summer residential camp. | https://uww.edu/precollege/programs/upward-bound |
| WISCaregiver Careers (Certified Direct Care Professional & Certified Nursing Assistant) | YEAR-ROUND | In-Person - Various Locations in Wisconsin | Ongoing Review | Program that offers free online training and certification as a CNA or CDCP, along with job placements around the state. | https://www.wiscaregivercareers.com/ |
| Wisconsin EMS Student Day | SPRING - 2/06/2026 | In-Person - Green Bay, WI | Closes January 14, 2026 or When All Spots Are Filled | One-day event with hands-on learning where students rotate through 30-minute workshops led by EMS professionals. | https://www.wemsaexpo.com/student-day |
| Wisconsin HOSA Fall Leadership Conference North & South | FALL - November | In-Person - Varies Annually | Opens in early October, Closes in Late October | One-day event offering healthcare career exploration, interprofessional education, and leadership development. | https://www.wihosa.org/fall-leadership-conference-main |
| Wisconsin HOSA Leadership Academy | SUMMER | Online Live | Ongoing Review | Leadership training for student leaders of HOSA chapters around the state. Focuses on chapter meetings, membership recruitment, and member opportunities. | https://www.wihosa.org/wisconsin-hosa-leadership-academy-main |
| Wisconsin HOSA Regional Leadership Competitions | WINTER - December and January | Online Live | Contact your School Counselor | Students in Wisconsin HOSA compete in events focused on emergency preparedness, health professions, health science and leadership, and teamwork. | https://www.wihosa.org/regional-leadership-competitions-main |
| Wisconsin HOSA State Leadership Conference | SPRING - April 6, 2025 to April 8, 2025 | In-Person - Wisconsin Dells, WI | Contact your School Counselor | Students in Wisconsin HOSA engage in educational symposiums and expos, training workshops, competitive events, general sessions, and recognition/awards. | https://www.wihosa.org/state-leadership-conference-main |
| Wisconsin HOSA: Future Health Professionals | YEAR-ROUND | In-Person - Various Locations in Wisconsin | Contact your School Counselor | Student-run organizations for leadership development, career exploration and preparation, and competitions in the health sciences. | https://www.wihosa.org/ |
| Program Title | Date(s) | Format - Location | Application Process | Program Description | Learn More |