From careers to economic mobility
OUR PROGRAMS: CAREER
Discover your path to employment with Heights Philadelphia. We guide students through our five-step career process: exposure, exploration, planning, opportunity, and support. And with our established partnerships, students can tap into internships, mentorship, and job opportunities leading to life-sustaining careers.
Our career support begins long before the application process begins, with industry-focused guidance in middle school, high school, and college.
Career content is embedded into the curriculum of Heights programming.
Small group of individual-focused exploration and planning for career advising with students.
Students are provided hands-on experience and practice with a mentor or guide.
Students have the opportunity to take part in paid internships that offer hands-on experience in a professional setting.
Heights works with anchor partners, workforce partners, and community partners.
Heights offers pathways in five key industries based on the growing needs and trends in Philadelphia:
- Biomedical/Life Sciences
- Healthcare
- Financial Services & Business
- Computer Science & Technology
- Human Services
The Heights alumni network connects both students and professionals to career opportunities and continued support — even years after graduation.
Our career summer programming provides opportunities for students to explore various career fields, and get hands-on experience and mentorship in those industries.
Serves current 9th – 11th graders, with or without prior coding experience. (Students interested in continuing with our Heights AP Computer Science A or Dual-Enrollment CS 101 class next year, 2 days/week are highly encouraged to apply.)
July 1st – August 5th
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 3pm
University of Pennsylvania
This intensive Computer Science (Java) program offers Intro & Intermediate Java tracks to 100+, and is taught by college Computer Science majors. This program includes classes and coding projects, plus college and career panels & special events like lab tours. Based on a college-level UPenn curriculum, some class sections will have a math and/or physics component.
Priority Application Deadline: Feb. 25
Serves current 9th – 10th graders who enjoy science and want to explore biomedical science topics and careers.
July 7th – August 12th
Monday – Thursday: 10am 3pm
Location: TBD
This Biomedical Science exploration and enrichment program is taught by college science majors & industry professionals and includes hands-on labs, science & math lessons, and field trips. Students explore cutting-edge topics like Gene Editing, and develop important lab skills. This program is meant to inspire and prepare students for success in advanced science classes, lab internships, and science majors and careers. Some students will spend 2 weeks (July 14-24) at the Science Center- First Hand program.
Priority application deadline: Feb. 25
Serves current 9th – 11th graders who want to explore the world of business and entrepreneurship
June 30th – August 7th
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 3pm
Temple University – Fox School of Business
This introduction to fundamentals of business and entrepreneurship class is an immersive educational experience for 26 students offering training in business planning, professional branding, marketing strategies, and financial literacy. The dynamic experiential learning activities include business site trips, team challenges and competitions, and an entrepreneurial showcase event. Participants of this class leave knowing everything it takes to start and run a business.
A paid stipend will be provided (amount still pending.)
Serves current Heights 9th and 10th grade students
July 8th – August 14th
This healthcare industry course offers hands on experiential learning, site visits and field trips. The intended outcomes of this course include:
- Basic healthcare knowledge – learning medical terminology and core concepts.
- Skill development – practical skills like first aid and patient communication.
- Networking opportunities – building relationships with healthcare professionals and peers.
- Career exploration – clarifying interests in specific healthcare fields.
- Health literacy – gaining a better understanding of personal health and wellness.
Completion of this summer program leads students into the upper level Healthcare programming “Health Equity” course, “Get Clinical” Workshop Series, as well as EKG and Phlebotomy certifications courses during the school year.
Lunch and transportation will be provided by Heights. Additionally, stipends will be provided to students (amount still pending).
Serves current 9th and 10th grade students
June 30th to August 11th
This Human Service industry course offers hands on experiential learning, site visits and field trips. The intended outcomes of the course include:
- Providing a strong foundation in interpersonal skills, empathy, and problem-solving.
- Gaining insight into social issues, develop communication and leadership abilities.
- Preparing for future roles in social work, counseling, community outreach and other Human Service careers.
- Understanding human behavior, ethics, and complexities of providing support to diverse populations.
Completion of thi summer program leads into upper level Human Service programming “Quality Care” course, and the “Change Agent” Workshop Series during the school year.
Lunch and transportation will be provided by Heights. Additionally, stipends will be provided to students (amount still pending).
Serves current 9th – 11th graders who are interested in engineering or other STEM fields, and enjoy math and science. Some labs will prefer 10th-11th graders and/or require certain classes or skills.
June 30th – August 7th
Monday – Thursday: 9am to 4pm
This 6-week lab is a research internship + mentorship program, which includes fun trips and events. Most positions are in engineering labs (e.g. Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental, Biomedical). Students in this program will earn $2000.
Priority Application Deadline: Feb. 25
: 6-week lab research internship + mentorship. Most positions are in engineering labs (e.g. Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental, Biomedical). Plus fun trips & events!
- Who: Current 9th – 11th graders who are interested in engineering or other STEM fields, enjoy science & math. Some labs prefer 10th-11th grades and/or require certain classes or skills. 45-50 students.
- When: June 30 – Aug 7, Mon-Thurs., 9:00am-4:00pm
- Earn $2000
Priority Application Deadline: Feb. 25
Serves 10th – 11th graders who haven taken chemistry, meet income criteria, and want to explore cutting-edge scientific research.
Temple University (& other locations)
June 23rd – August 14th
Monday – Friday: 9am to 5pm
This 8-week lab research internship + mentorship programs is available for 12 students. It involves Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Environmental Engineering, or Computational Chemistry labs. Students will apply and extend their science skills to work on important problems toward a better world! Additionally, they will earn $4000 in stipends.
Priority Application Deadline: Feb. 25
Penn Engineering AEOP internship program
- What: Intern in a Penn Engineering research lab (multiple depts. available) with a lab mentor.
- Who: 11th graders interested in engineering research. Some labs require prior Coding skills.
- When: 7 weeks, TBD
- Earn: $4000+
- How to Apply: TBD
Wistar High School Program in Biomedical Research
- What: Biomedical science training & research progra
- Who: 10th-11th grade students age 16+ interested in medicine, biology, scientific research.
- When: July 7 – 31, Mon-Thurs, 9:00am-4:00pm
- Earn: $1500
- How to Apply: Complete Wistar application by March 18, including 2 recommendation letters.
CHOP – RISES Medical Research Internship
- What: Lab research internship program for 2 summers (starting the summer before 11th grade)
- Who: 10th graders (age 16 by July) with strong curiosity for lab research, medicine, who may not have many opportunities to develop these interests and skills
- When: June 30 – Aug 7, Mon-Thurs Earn: Stipend + funds for food
- How to Apply: Apply here between Feb. 17 & ~Mar. 10, including a rec. letter. (Optional Info Sessions Feb. 11-15.)
Penn Engineering Unite-SMP program
- What: Enrichment program with tracks in (a) Robotics or (b) Bioengineering.
- Who: 9th & 10th graders interested in robotics, computer or electrical engineering, or biomedical engineering
- When: July 7-Aug 1, Mon-Fri, 9:00-4:00 How to Apply: Apply Here by Feb. 14, select an ENGINEERING track
Note: Interested Students should also complete the Career Team’s Application Survey to ensure they’re on our radar for follow-ups, advocacy.
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Enter a clearer pathway to high school selection with summer and weekend programs, tutoring, and advising.
Receive college and career preparation embedded in Philadelphia high schools, including enrichment, summer programs, and 1:1 advising.
Gain a college advisor and connections to greater resources ⎯ including career opportunities, stipends, and scholarships ⎯ at over 70 distinct institutions across the country.
Join Heights and see how far Philadelphia students can go.