Northern Health’s (NH) Student Practice Education Team – in collaboration with School District 57, the College of New Caledonia (CNC), the University of Northern BC (UNBC), Northern Health Volunteer Services, and NH Recruitment – wrapped up the Seek, Experience, Explore, Discover (SEED) program last month and is getting ready to welcome new cohorts in 2026. This program is an important initiative designed to give local high school students a first-hand look at careers in health care.
After a successful pilot in February 2025, which welcomed eight students from Duchess Park Secondary School, the program officially launched its first full cohort in November 2025. Participation more than doubled, with 16 students from College Heights Secondary School and one student from School District 57’s Alternate Community Programs. Observation shifts ran from November 4 to November 19, culminating in a wrap-up session on November 26, where both groups of students came together (21 in total) to celebrate their learning journey.
What did students experience?
The program offered a comprehensive introduction to health care careers. Students toured University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, gaining insight into hospital operations and the roles of allied health and nursing teams. During career observation days, they shadowed professionals in departments and facilities including ambulatory care, surgery, Jubilee Lodge (long-term care), respiratory therapy, radiology, psychiatry, and rehabilitation. Mentors shared their expertise, answered questions, and provided a realistic view of what different health care careers look like in practice.
The wrap-up session featured inspiring guest speakers and a panel of health care professionals, including occupational therapists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and pharmacists. Representatives from NH Informatics, Volunteer Services, HR Recruitment, and education partners also joined to guide students on next steps toward health careers.
Students shared their feelings of surprise at “how invested some of the workers are” and at the realization that “there are more jobs than you think”. One student shared that a big takeaway for them was that “it is ok to change careers, health care is very versatile”.
Why is this important?
The SEED program strengthens relationships between NH and its community partners, while creating high-quality job shadowing experiences that help recruit the next generation of health care professionals.
“This experience proved to be both enjoyable and insightful,” shared NH CEO, Ciro Panessa. “There were a lot of great questions. I am optimistic about the future and hope to see these students officially join the NH team one day soon!”
With participation already doubling since the pilot, SEED is so far proving to be a powerful tool to inspire local youth and build a stronger health care workforce for the North.
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