Children’s National Hospital and Children’s National Rehabilitation and Specialized Care, non-profit hospitals that serve children and families in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, are committed to investing in the future of healthcare. Our Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) employment workgroup aims to strengthen youth employment opportunities for students in the region through sustaining and expanding hospital internship programs and job opportunities, including creating opportunities for youth with disabilities through skill-based training programs. Our CHIP reflects our hospital’s commitment to improving the opportunity for our children to grow up stronger by advancing health equity for the children and families we serve.

Children’s National offers youth internship programs and is committed to building our knowledge and understanding of how to support youth in advancing career opportunities through attending meetings, participating in advisory boards and convening leaders to discuss this important topic, including at our 2024 School Health Summit that included a panel discussing youth engagement programs across the region. Looking ahead, we also will be opening a new health clinic to provide health care services and training for students at the existing Advanced Technical Center in Ward 5 through Fiscal Year 2025 investments from DC Mayor Bowser.

On November 13, Children’s National attended a report release event on Building Career Assets for Lifelong Success, hosted by the D.C. Policy Center and CityWorks DC. Data on early career outcomes for D.C.’s high school alumni have shown significant disparities in earnings and employment when compared to similarly aged youth who moved to D.C. later in life (an estimated gap of $37,000). The event highlighted barriers and opportunities to enhance career asset building programs and connect D.C.’s high school-age youth to college and work-based learning:

Barriers to Participation:

• Limited awareness of opportunities (internships, summer programs, career fairs)
• Tight schedules for students
• Lack of funding for programs

Building Career Assets:

• Programs focused on career exploration (career days, field trips) exist, but few emphasize actual career building (certifications, hands-on experiences)
• Opportunities like dual enrollment, internships, and technical skill-building are critical

Current Efforts and Potential Enhancements:

• Career Academies provide certifications and career exploration opportunities starting before 9th grade, fostering a sense of belonging
• Strengthening middle and elementary school career exposure can create a pipeline of interest

Recommended Actions:

• Develop high-quality internships and increase wages for the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program and internships
• Highlight trade careers as viable paths with great wages and high demand
• Introduce life skills and career planning courses in schools
• Leverage college students as mentors for high school students

JLABS @ Washingtion, DC provided an invaluable experience for our scholars. They had the opportunity to engage closely with industry professionals and witness STEM in action within the workplace. Additionally, the lab’s beautiful and welcoming space made a lasting impression. Our scholars left feeling inspired and eager about the possibility of interning with the organization. – Renee’ M. John, M.Ed, Director, NAF Academy of Engineering, H.D. Woodson STEM High School

Across the city on the same day, Children’s National attended and participated in the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) SPRINT STEM Innovator Experience panel event. BARDA’s SPRINT (Science, Preparedness and Response, Innovations, and New Technologies) Program seeks to inspire next-generation scientists by partnering directly with socio-economically diverse schools in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area to highlight scientific topics BARDA encounters, encourage students to consider public service and generate excitement about BARDA’s work in the biomedical and health security fields.

Through a partnership with Johnson & Johnson Innovation–JLABS @ Washington, DC, and the BLUE KNIGHT™ initiative, BARDA hosted this event at the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus and invited high-school students from Ron Brown Prep and HD Woodson STEM High Schools in Washington, DC, to tour the state-of-the-art innovation campus and meet entrepreneurs tackling some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges.

Naomi Luban, MD, chief academic officer and vice chair for Faculty Affairs, spoke on a panel that focused on networking and the importance of internships along with Ashley Cecere, Special Assistant to the Director, BARDA, an ORISE Fellow, and two current interns from JLABS @ DC companies. Dr. Luban highlighted Children’s National youth internship programs including the Mentored Experience to Expand Opportunities in Research (METEOR v. 3) STEM summer research experience and shared information on how to access internship programs. The panel speakers shared the following advice on how to find and pursue internship opportunities:

Tips on finding internship opportunities

• Find something you are passionate about is key to searching for an internship program.
• Research internship programs online including on LinkedIn and company websites.
• Talk to people within your school and community through informational interviews who may know someone to connect you to internships opportunities.
• Meet with different types of professionals and ask questions to help you decide what you want to do in your career journey.
• Think critically about how much time you can devote to an internship and if you need a paid or volunteer internship experience.

Tips for navigating internship interviews

• Speak with teachers and guidance counselors about creating a resume and practice interviewing with other peers.
• Look at details on what is required and what you need for the internship application and get started early as internship programs can fill up early.
• Research the company’s values and mission to help you be prepared to speak about why you align with their internship program.
• Have a few questions prepared to ask the people interviewing you to show that you prepared for the interview.

 “It’s okay to not know what field to pick as your career is not going to be point A to B. My recommendation is to take the opportunities when you can since you don’t know where they will lead to.” – Calvin Aubrey, Georgetown University MS Biotechnology Student, JLABS @ Washington, DC Company Intern (Neuroene). “The Power of Internships and Networking” Panelist

Youth STEM Internship Programs

George Washington University Programs

• GW Pre-College Programs Intro to Medicine Summer Intensive
• Pharma STEP 1
• Summer Bridge Program
• GW SMHS High School Programs
  • DC HAPP
  • Upward Bound

Programs in the DMV

• Universities and Schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Business: George Washington University, Georgetown, American University, Howard, University of Maryland, George Mason, and Johns Hopkins

At Federal Institutions

• USAJOBS student internships and scholarships
• NIH HiSTEP
• FDA Oncology Center of Excellence
• NIST Summer High School Intern Program

Programs Outside of the DMV

• Universities and Schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Business: Boston University, University of Pennsylvania, Cincinnati
• Envision Experience at several sites
• Pathways to Stem Cell Science at several sites in California

For more information our CHIP employment workgroup efforts, visit Child Health Advocacy Institute | Children’s National Hospital | Children’s National Hospital.

For more information about SPRINT, please visit the official SPRINT website.