25 students enrolled in Heights’ Early Career Learners Healthcare program invited to interview for job opportunities at UPHS
May 29, 2024 (Philadelphia) – Heights Philadelphia (“Heights”), Penn Medicine, and Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large), today hosted a special career event for Heights students enrolled in the Early Career Learners Healthcare program, to apply and interview for entry-level jobs at Penn Medicine. The Early Career Learners Healthcare program offers an opportunity for high school seniors, planning to work in the healthcare and human services industry post graduation, to have clear next steps for their ongoing career development. All participants receive continued career coaching and development for up to one year.
As an economic mobility catalyst, Heights’ collaboration with Penn Medicine and Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson’s office, creates a pathway for students to achieve their career goals. As a global healthcare hub, Philadelphia is home to countless opportunities in the health and science field, however, it can be overwhelming for young people to navigate. In working with a major healthcare institution, Heights connects students directly to jobs, streamlining the process and supporting the health system in their employment needs.
Leading up to the career event, students enrolled in the Early Career Learners Healthcare program participated in professional development training, received career coaching, developed personal career plans, and acquired help with navigating the application process for their chosen career or training pathway. At the event, Heights students had the opportunity to apply the skills developed through the program, and interview for a variety of open positions within Penn Medicine.
“Healthcare is an essential and impactful pathway for our talented pool of students where they can secure economic mobility,” said Sean E. Vereen, Ed.D., Co-President, Heights Philadelphia. “We are thrilled to grow our relationship with world renowned healthcare institutions like Penn Medicine right here in our city, and look forward to our continued collaboration with Councilmember Gilmore Richardson to further opportunity for students of Philadelphia.”
“Advancing workforce development opportunities has been one of my top priorities since becoming a member of Philadelphia City Council,” said City of Philadelphia Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson. “We know that all of our young people may not go off to college, but they must be college or career ready upon graduation. That’s why I’m thrilled to partner with Heights Philadelphia and Penn to place young Philadelphians on the path to pursuing a family-sustaining and supporting career opportunity. As a former Penn MEdicine employee, whose parents worked at Pennsylvania Hospital for more than 70 years combined, I know from experience just how life changing these opportunities can be.”
“As a profession, health care offers meaningful and rewarding work,” said Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. “By introducing students to the field, we’re creating a pathway to careers that enrich lives and make a difference in others. Encouraging careers in health care also helps to strengthen the field overall, ensuring a pipeline poised to answer the needs of the future.”
