October is Vermont’s official Health Career Awareness Month, a time to shine a spotlight on the many pathways into health-related professions and to inspire the next generation of caregivers, clinicians, public health advocates, and allied health workers. 1 V.S.A. § 376 designates October for promoting health workforce development across schools, clinics, hospitals, and community groups.
This year, we are proud to host the VT Health Careers Field Day in partnership with Lyndon Institute and the Governors Institute of Vermont. This event is free to the public and is designed to leverage the energy of October’s awareness efforts and bring them to life for students, families, and community members interested in health careers.
Why the Timing Matters
Because October is already recognized statewide as Health Career Awareness Month, Field Day becomes more than just an event – it becomes part of a coordinated statewide effort to deepen awareness of health workforce needs and career opportunities. Many Vermonters still aren’t fully aware of the range of health professions or the training paths available within the state. By placing Field Day in October, we:
- Demonstrate that health workforce development is a shared priority
- Give students and communities a concrete, hands-on experience during a month already focused on careers in health
- Strengthen connections between schools, health systems, and public health agencies
Through events like this, Vermont can better address workforce shortages, support rural and underserved areas, and cultivate a more diverse, locally rooted health professions pipeline.
What to Expect at Field Day
The event is designed in two engaging parts:
- Hands-On First Responder Training
In the morning, participants will step directly into the role of a first responder with hands-on lifesaving skills training. Guided by experienced instructors, students and community members will practice:
- Hands-Only CPR
- Stop the Bleed techniques
- Other real-world emergency response skills
These activities build confidence, teamwork, and a sense of empowerment – showing participants that anyone, regardless of age or career stage, can play a role in keeping Vermont communities safe.
- Health Careers Exploration Expo
The afternoon opens into the Health Careers Expo, where attendees can meet professionals and explore the wide range of health-related careers.
Tablers will include:
- UVM Office of Primary Care and Vermont AHEC Programs
- Southern Vermont AHEC
- Gifford Hospital
- North Country Hospital
- Northern Vermont Regional Hospital
- Vermont State University (VTSU)
- Vermont Public Health Association
- Vermont Department of Health
Students can explore a variety of booths offering hands-on activities and real-world insights. Opportunities include trying suturing, practicing with a laparoscopic simulator, learning about vital signs, exploring public health challenges, and connecting directly with professionals in various healthcare fields.
The Expo is about more than observing – it’s about experimenting, asking questions, and imagining yourself in the shoes of a healthcare professional.
Our Partners: Lyndon Institute & Governors Institute of Vermont
- Lyndon Institute is a leading independent high school and technical education center with a long-standing tradition of academic excellence and community engagement in northern Vermont.
- Governor’s Institutes of Vermont is a statewide nonprofit recognized for its innovative, high-impact programs that inspire and prepare students for college, careers, and leadership.
Together, these organizations provide infrastructure, outreach, logistical support, and credibility – helping us bring health careers awareness into the hearts of Vermont’s high schools and communities.
What We Hope You’ll Take Away
- A clearer sense of how many careers fall under the health umbrella (clinical, research, public health, allied, administration)
- Realistic awareness of training pathways, certifications, and job prospects in Vermont
- Direct connections with professionals who can mentor or advise
- Inspiration – especially to students who might not have considered health careers
- Momentum to talk about and support health workforce issues beyond Field Day
As Vermont faces ongoing shortages in many health fields, it’s vital that we kindle interest early, especially in rural and underserved areas. The VT Health Careers Field Day is one concrete way to turn October’s awareness into action.
We hope to see students, educators, families, and community members come out strong. Together, we can help build Vermont’s health workforce from the ground up.