Why Early Career Exploration Is Critical to the Future of the Healthcare Workforce

High school students learning about careers in radiology, experiencing an immersive learning training session, during the Discover Healthcare event at Rochester Community and Technical College's Heintz Center. Photo: Sarah Harper

Last week, more than 100 area high school students gathered at Rochester Community and Technical College to explore future careers in healthcare as part of the Discover Healthcare event—an important reminder of how early exposure shapes the next generation of clinical professionals.

We were proud to have Sarah Harper, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Alliances at neuRealities, onsite supporting the Mayo Clinic Radiology team and engaging with students interested in careers like radiography and CT technology. Throughout the morning, students rotated through hands-on sessions, asked thoughtful questions about imaging pathways, and even experienced a CT environment using VR—bringing complex concepts to life in an accessible, engaging way.

Events like this matter. As healthcare systems face growing workforce shortages, helping students understand what’s possible—and what’s in demand—can be a powerful first step toward building a more resilient future workforce.

We’re grateful to Mayo Clinic, Rochester Community and Technical College, Southeast Service Cooperative, and Minnesota HOSA for their leadership in creating opportunities that connect education, technology, and real-world healthcare careers. At neuRealities, we believe inspiring curiosity early and supporting experiential learning are essential to scaling trusted knowledge and strengthening the pipeline of tomorrow’s clinicians.

Read more about the event in the Rochester Post Bulletin, "Area high school students explore health care careers at RCTC event (subscription required).