The Health Careers Exploration Program (HCEP) is offered through collaboration with Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine and local high schools (Central Dauphin High School, Central Dauphin East High School, Hershey High School and Lower Dauphin High School).

The program runs during the second half of the academic year and is designed for rising seniors who are interested in health care careers. Students come to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center daily to participate in shadowing, observation, networking, and interactive seminars. The first quarter involves clinic rotations and seminars, and the second quarter offers a nine-week observation experience in a particular area of interest. Partner high schools offer academic credit for this experience.

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine employees are an integral part of the selected students’ learning experience by acting as supervisors and learning facilitators throughout the experience. The goals include: enrich the students’ current efforts in career exploration, to enhance critical thinking skills, and to provide important information for educational options and career paths in medicine.

Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine are committed to increasing diversity in medicine. Students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in medicine are encouraged to apply for this program.

If you attend a partner school (see eligibility below), please reach out to your co-op coordinator for more information.