Our Programs
Mentorship & Workforce Development's flagship program, Discovering Healthcare Careers, was launched in 2001. Today, we offer 11 different exciting programs for students that focus on a variety of topics in healthcare, such as shadowing opportunities, nursing, public health, research and much more.
Explore our Programs
Below is a list of our programs, with information about eligibility and the application process. If you have questions about any of these opportunities or would like to get involved, please reach out to us at workforcedevelopment@luriechildrens.org.
This interactive program allows middle school students to gain healthcare career exposure and to develop beginner soft skills. Students are recruited in partnership with their school. The program's sessions include diverse healthcare professional speakers, hands-on activities and opportunities to learn about our other programming.
Who is eligible?
Students who are registered at our partner schools and are members of the classes selected to participate by their school's administration.
How old do I need to be?
We work with 6th to 8th graders.
Shades of the Future places high school students in a 6-week workforce development program. Students are assigned to various entry-level non-clinical department placements. Along with receiving job readiness skills, students receive workforce development skills and mental health workshops. Students are selected from the Medical and Health Careers program or Allied Health CTE programs at their CPS high school to participate.
If the school is not a CTE school, our team will work with schools to determine if students are eligible to attend.
Who is eligible?
Students who are a part of a CTE/Medical Allied Program. If not part of a CTE school, our team will work with schools to determine eligibility for students.
How old do I have to be?
You must be 17 years old by the program start date.
Applications for the Winter 2024 cohort will open in October.
This 11-week program places high school students attending our partner school, ITW Speer Academy, in a department at Lurie Children's. Students are able to shadow and take on individual projects. Students are required to use the knowledge they learned from their internship to design and develop a final product and present it to their high school and other stake holders.
Who is eligible for Junior M.E.D.?
Students need to attend our partner school, ITW Speer Academy and be in good academic standing as a Senior to apply. Students will apply with their Internship Coordinator.
What is the age for Junior M.E.D.?
You must be 17 years old by the program start date.
Developed in 2001, Discovering Healthcare Careers (DHC) is a 6-week paid clinical summer internship for Hispanic/Latinx and African American/Black high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Students are provided with workforce development workshops, including resume writing, team building, professional development and basic clinical skills.
Who is eligible?
Juniors and seniors who identify as Latinx/Hispanic or Black/African American and are enrolled in a high school in the Chicago Public School, Noble Charter Networks, and the Chicago Public Schools Charters.
How old do I have to be?
You must be 17 years old by the program start date.
Applications for 2023 are no longer being accepted. Applications for our 2024 cohort will open in early Spring.
Check out a recap of our 2022 DHC Summer Program:
Since 2003, Lurie Children's has partnered with the Mayor's program, One Summer Chicago (OSC), to provide paid internship opportunities to eligible Chicago Public School students. One Summer students are placed in a 6-week non-clinical entry-level job position. Students are provided with workforce development workshops.
Who is eligible?
Any student who resides in the City of Chicago.
How old do I have to be?
You must be 17 years old by the program start date. Students ages 17-24 are eligible to apply.
Sorry, applications are not currently being accepted.
Encouraging Mentoring & Preparing on Workforce Education
Readiness (EMPOWER) is a 6-week paid internship that places
students in non-clinical entry-level positions. EMPOWER is for young
adults with minor or chronic disabilities. Students are provided with
workforce development workshops.
Who is eligible?
Students who have a minor/chronic disability/illness, and/or a patient of Lurie Children's, and/or refered to the program by a staff member.
How old do I have to be?
You must be 17 years old by the program start date.
Applications for the Fall 2023 cohort will open in September. Applications for the Spring 2024 cohort will open in March.
Higher Educational Readiness Opportunities (HERO) is a paid clinical shadowing internship for college students who attend Arrupe College of Loyola interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Students will be able to build their professional networks and meet student peers and guest presenters from across the institution. Students will be provided with workforce development workshops, mental health/self care training, and job readiness skills. A Fellowship Award will be provided to students upon completion.
Who is eligible for HERO?
Students who are currently enrolled at Arrupe College of Loyola, in good academic standing, and are interested in pursing a career in healthcare in the future.
What is the age for HERO?
You must be 17 years old by the program start date.
Community Health in Action Mentorship Program (CHAMP) is a 6-week program focused on building public health and community health skills through experience in the different domains of Lurie Children’s model of CARE (Clinical care, Advocacy, Research and Education). Students have independent public health projects and will also participate in workshops focused on topics such as conducting literature reviews, data analysis and visualization, and resume building.
Who is eligible?
Students who are currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a college or university and have an interest in the field of public health.
How old do I need to be?
You must be 17 years old by the program start date.
Applications for our 2023 sessions will open in May.
Developed in partnership with the Noble Alumni Association, this 2-week program provides Noble Network alumni and Undergraduate/Graduate students with exposure to healthcare careers with and the opportunity to hone their research skills.
Who is eligible?
Students who are selected by the Noble Alumni Association.
Inspire2 provides underrepresented nursing students who are interested in pediatric nursing with the opportunity to interact with experienced nursing professionals to help ensure their success in the classroom and beyond.
Who is eligible?
Students who are currently enrolled in accredited Nursing School. Students must be able to travel to attend in-person sessions throughout the school year.
How old do I need to be?
You must be 17 years old by the program start date.
Sorry, applications for the upcoming school year are not currently being accepted.
Mentorship and Workforce Development alumni, including current Lurie Children's employees who are alumni, are eligible to participate in a number of skill enhancement and certification programs, including:
- EEG Technician Certification
- Sleep Technician Certification
- Medical Assistant Certification
- Nursing Assistant Certification
If you're interested in learning more about these opportunities, please reach out to workforcedevelopment@luriechildrens.org.