On a crisp fall morning at Lyndon Institute, students stepped into a world where learning is done with your hands and confidence grows by the minute. They practiced CPR, tried suturing, learned vital signs, talked with professionals, and – maybe most importantly – saw themselves in Vermont’s health workforce.
This is why early exposure matters. When students meet real mentors, try real skills, and hear real stories, curiosity becomes momentum. A single day can reframe what’s possible and plant the kind of seed that grows into a calling.
Early, hands-on exposure is the beating heart of Vermont’s health-career pipeline. When students try skills, ask questions, and connect with mentors, they don’t just learn about healthcare – they begin to belong in it. VT Health Careers Field Day did exactly that: it opened doors, offered next steps, and turned interest into intention.
Learning by Doing
The event – hosted in partnership with the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont (GIV) and Lyndon Institute – welcomed dozens of students for a day of active exploration.
Stations buzzed with activity as students practiced “Stop the Bleed” and splinting with medical students, learned CPR from the experts, explored how syringes and sutures work, and talked directly with healthcare professionals representing hospitals, EMS teams, and community-based organizations.
“I personally loved all the opportunities that happened here. It’s all a great opportunity and experience.”
A Snapshot of Vermont’s Future Workforce
The data tells a story as inspiring as the day itself. Students came from across Vermont, representing more than ten counties – rural towns, suburban schools, and independent programs – all bringing their curiosity and energy to explore what a future in healthcare might look like. Most participated in the full-day program, with others joining for hands-on or expo-only experiences – proof that there’s no single way to explore a career in care.
The students who attended reflected a diverse mix of schools and interests, from first-year high schoolers just beginning to imagine their futures to older students eager to take the next step. Together, they showed that curiosity and commitment cross every region and grade level.
The data revealed a simple but powerful truth: when healthcare education is accessible and hands-on, students engage deeply. From first-time explorers to students already charting a career path, everyone who stepped onto campus shared the same goal: to learn, to try, and to imagine themselves as part of Vermont’s healthcare story.
It’s clear that when students have the chance to show up, they do – and they thrive.
What They Took Away
Students described the day as fun, hands-on, and eye-opening. Many said they hadn’t realized how many healthcare careers exist – or how soon they could begin preparing for them.
“[My favorite activities were] Stop the Bleed and CPR because it was new and really cool.”
“[I liked] talking with people who went through the path I want to take and getting their advice.”
“The suturing made me feel like a med student.”
Those words capture the heart of AHEC’s mission: transforming curiosity into capability.
Gratitude and Growth
Events like this don’t happen alone. Northern Vermont AHEC extends deep gratitude to Lyndon Institute for hosting, to GIV for their collaboration, and to every volunteer, instructor, and healthcare professional who brought their expertise and enthusiasm to the day.
To every student who showed up curious and brave: we’re excited to see where you go next.
And to every professional, educator, and partner who made the day possible: thank you for helping Vermont’s future health workforce find its start – one conversation, one skill, one spark at a time.
