When students get the chance to explore healthcare up close, something shifts. Confidence grows. Curiosity turns into purpose. That is exactly what is happening through the Medical Careers program, a LYFT Career Pathways-funded opportunity that continues to open doors for students across our region.

Strong Partnerships, Real Opportunities

This month, Kate shared an update that captures why this work matters. After weeks of relationship-building and planning, she secured four major healthcare organizations willing to host students for shadowing experiences: Avera in Pipestone, Sanford in Luverne, Sanford in Worthington, and Sanford in Rock Rapids. In her words, “This is exactly what I was aiming for.”

With multiple sites on board, students can spread out across placements, employers can avoid being overwhelmed, and the program can grow sustainably with strong partners at the table. Kate shared how meaningful this progress has been behind the scenes as well: “This translates into not feeling so rushed and having my ducks in a row in advance of January.” That kind of preparation is what sets students up for meaningful, well-supported experiences.

Learning by Doing and Belonging

The Medical Careers program is not only about clinical exposure. It is also about creativity, teamwork, and connection. Kate also shared photos from a hands-on tree casting activity that gave students space to create together. Even when the process did not go perfectly, the learning and joy were clear. “This was so fun!” one student said. To wrap up the activity, students signed each other’s tree limbs, turning the project into a shared memory and reminder of belonging.

Student Voices: Turning Exploration into Direction

One student reflection highlights the lasting impact of the Medical Careers program. Through hands-on coursework and more than 40 hours of job shadowing, the student explored a wide range of healthcare careers, including roles they had not previously considered. Those real-world experiences helped clarify a path forward and ultimately confirmed a strong interest in physical therapy. As the student shared, “When I did shadow physical therapists, it further solidified my choice to want to be a physical therapist.” Beyond career clarity, the program offered meaningful patient interaction, supportive instruction, and exposure to healthcare professionals who demonstrated how purpose and people-centered work can come together in a fulfilling career.

Growing the Rural Healthcare Workforce

At LYFT Career Pathways, this is the work we are built for: connecting education to industry, supporting educators who go the extra mile, and creating pathways that help students see a future in careers our communities depend on. Programs like Medical Careers play a critical role in strengthening the rural healthcare workforce by giving students early, positive exposure to real-world settings and professionals who care deeply about mentoring the next generation.

About LYFT Career Pathways Impact Grants

LYFT Career Pathways Impact Grants support innovative, partnership-driven projects that expand career exploration, experiential learning, and workforce development opportunities for students. Grants are designed to help schools and communities turn strong ideas into action, just like the Medical Careers program continues to do. If you have an idea that connects students to high-demand careers and meaningful experiences, LYFT is here to help make it possible.