MEDICAID NOTICE: Lurie Children’s continues to serve all patients enrolled in Medicaid. As a safety-net hospital, we will continue providing high-quality care to every child who needs us.

AVISO SOBRE MEDICAID: Lurie Children’s continúa atendiendo a todos los pacientes inscritos en Medicaid. Como hospital perteneciente a la red de protección social, continuaremos brindando atención de alta calidad a cada niño que nos necesite.

Mentorship & Workforce Development Programs

Mentorship and Workforce Development's (MWD) flagship program, Discovering Healthcare Careers, was launched in 2001. Today, MWD offers 13 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.

For elementary and high school programming, we currently only work with Chicago Public Schools and the Noble Charter Network. Explore our programs below to learn more about eligibility and the application process. 

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

About YES! 

YES! is an interactive program that provides CPS middle school students healthcare career exposure and helps them develop beginner soft skills for the workplace. 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 MWD programming that they may be eligible for in the future. 

Who is eligible for YES!?

  • Middle school students at CPS who have been selected by their school's administration are eligible to to participate in the program.
  • School partnerships are determined by our team. 

Current Partnerships:

  • Belmont Cragin Elementary School in Belmont Cragin
  • Lewis Elementary School in Austin
  • Volta Elementary School in Albany Park
  • Jungman STEM Magnet in Pilsen

About Shades for the Future

Shades for the Future is a 6-week virtual workforce development readiness program for freshmen and sophomores. Through the program, students engage in a series featuring healthcare professional speakers, mental health sessions and workforce development workshops.

Who is eligible for Shades for the Future?

  • Students who are a part of the CPS high schools, public charter schools, and Noble Schools public charter network
  • Shades is a virtual program and does not have an age requirement. 

 

About Junior M.E.D.

Junior M.E.D. is an 11-week program that places high school students attending our partner school, Noble Charter ITW David 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 stakeholders.

Who is eligible for Junior M.E.D.?

  • High school senior at ITW David Speer Academy in good academic standing. Students should work with the school's internship coordinator to apply. 
  • Students must be at least 17 years old by the program start date.

Current Partnership:

  • ITW David Speer Academy

 

About Discovering Healthcare Careers (DHC)

DHC is a six-week paid clinical summer internship for Chicago Public School Students who are juniors & seniors in high school 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 for DHC?

  • Students at CPS, the Noble Network of Charter Schools, or public charter schools.
  • Students are required to be at least 17 years old by the program start date
Check out a recap of our 2024 DHC Summer Program!

About One Summer Chicago (OSC)

Join us in participating in the OSC internship in partnership with CTE/CPS. This summer opportunity provides participants with the opportunity to take on a paid, entry-level job at Lure Children's while also participating in a variety of learning sessions including workforce development and mental health workshops.

Who is eligible for OSC?

  • Students at CPS high schools or the Noble Charter Network
  • Students must be 17 years old by the program start date 
  • Work authorization is required
  • Minimum GPA of a 2.75 is required

Applications NOW OPEN!

 

About Minds Matter: Youth Mental Health & Leadership Program

Minds Matter is a 6-week virtual program based on Mental Health in collaboration with the Center of Childhood Resilience at Lurie Children's. The point of Minds Matter is to:

  • Understand mental health: Learn what it is, why it matters, and how it connects to YOU.
  • Boost leadership skills: Build confidence to make an impact wherever you go.
  • Explore cool careers: Get the inside scoop on mental health jobs and how you can get there.

Who is eligible?

  • Students who are a part of the CPS high schools, public charter schools, and Noble Schools public charter network
  • Minds Matter is a virtual program and does not have an age requirement. 

Program Dates:

  • Program Start Date: Monday, Feb. 10th, 2025 at 5:00 PM Virtually via Zoom
  • Program End Date: Thursday, Mar. 20th, 2025 at 5:00 PM In Person at Lurie Children's
    • The Program will be Monday & Tuesdays from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM via Zoom.

Program Requirements:

  • Must have unweighted GPA of 2.75
  • Must commit to the entire 6-weeks of the program
  • Must have reliable wifi & a device to join the Virtual Zoom Sessions
  • Must complete application for consideration, if your application is selected we will schedule an interview with you and our team
Apply Now: Minds Matter Deadline: Friday, Jan 17th, 2025 at 11:59 PM!

About Empower (Encouraging Mentoring Preparedness on Workforce Education Readiness)

Empower (Encouraging Mentoring Preparedness on Workforce Education Readiness) is a 6-week paid internship for young adults with minor or chronic disabilities. Students are provided with workforce development workshops and are placed in non-clinical entry-level positions. 

Who is eligible for EMPOWER?

  • Students who have a minor/chronic disability/illness
  • Students must be 17 years old by the program start date

 

 

About Higher Educational Readiness Opportunities (HERO)

HERO is a paid clinical shadowing internship for students attending Arrupe College of Loyola who are 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?

  • Only students who are currently enrolled at Arrupe College of Loyola are eligible
  • Students must be in good academic standing and have a demonstrated interest in a healthcare career
  • Students must be at least 17 years old by the program start date. 

About Community Health in Action Mentorship Program (CHAMP)

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
  • Students must be at least 17 years old by the program start date

Applications NOW OPEN!

 

About Rise Above: Mental Health Awareness & Leadership Program

Rise Above is a 6-week virtual program based on Mental Health in collaboration with the Center of Childhood Resilience at Lurie Children's. Rise Above is a transformative program for undergraduate and gradaute students passionate about mental health. Students will be able to develop their skills, deepen their understanding, and lead the way towards better mental health awareness and advocacy in their community.

Who is eligible?

  • Students who are enrolled in a College/University and are currently Undergraduate or Graduate Students.

Program Dates:

  • Program Start Date: Monday, Feb. 3rd, 2025 at 9:00 AM Virtually via Zoom
  • Program End Date: Thursday, Mar. 13th, 2025 at 9 :00 AM In Person at Lurie Children's
    • The Program will be Monday & Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM via Zoom.

Program Requirements:

  • Must demonstrate an intererest in the field of mental health
  • Must commit to the entire 6-weeks of the program
  • Must have reliable wifi & a device to join the Virtual Zoom Sessions
  • Must complete application for consideration, if your application is selected we will schedule an interview with you and our team
Apply Now: Rise Above Deadline: Friday, Jan 17th, 2025 at 11:59 PM!

About Senior M.E.D.

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 for Senior M.E.D.?

  • Students who are selected by the Noble Alumni Association

About Inspire2

Inspire2 provides nursing students with the opportunity to interact with experienced pediatric nursing professionals to help ensure their success in the classroom and beyond.

Who is eligible for Inspire2?

  • Students must be currently enrolled in an accredited nursing school
  • Students must be able to travel to attend in-person sessions throughout the school year
  • Students must be at least 17 years old by the program start date

About MWD Alumni Opportunities

MWD 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.