SAN JOSE, CA – Seventy-five high school students from Santa Clara and San Mateo counties recently visited the Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in April, not as patients but as future professionals exploring careers in healthcare. The experience was made possible through a partnership among Sutter Health, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE), and two local school districts committed to expanding access to real-world learning opportunities for students.
Through the SCCOE’s work-based learning efforts, Sutter Health partnered with Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District and Santa Clara Unified School District to host a comprehensive career exploration fair for underrepresented students. The event was designed to expose students to the wide range of careers in a modern healthcare system. Many of these roles student may not have considered before their visit.
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Students engaging with healthcare professionals to learn about their careers.The day included 50 Sutter Health employees hosting career booths, information sessions and seminars across departments, and direct conversations with professionals working in clinical and non-clinical roles. Students learned what it means to work in the areas of nursing, radiology, robotic surgery, emergency services, therapies, cardiology, social work, human resources, facilities, nutrition services, and more. The hospital’s CEO shared insights into the hospital’s mission, leadership journey, and career paths, emphasizing that there are many entry points into healthcare careers.
“We’re going to blink, and they’ll be here, graduated and ready to make a difference,” said medical center CEO, Darian Harris. “Our ability to help shape that passion and align with our mission of caring for patients first and our people will always accelerate their journey and expand our impact in the community.”
Sutter Health invested in students through staff time and resources, covering transportation, meals, logistics, and planning with no cost to the students or schools. This commitment reflects the power industry partners have - opening doors for students and actively investing in the building of the future workforce.
Photo: student visiting a Radiology career booth“Partnerships like this show what’s possible when education and industry come together with a shared purpose,” said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. David M. Toston, Sr. “Experiences like this encourage students to see themselves in careers and build confidence to pursue them.”
The event reflects a core priority for the SCCOE: ensuring students have meaningful career exploration experiences that build awareness, confidence, and aspiration. By connecting students directly with professional and real workspaces, the SCCOE and partnering districts are helping students see themselves in careers they may not have previously imagined.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency committed to serving, inspiring, and promoting student and public school success. For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
