Students explore careers in healthcare

Date: 02/14/2023

Presque Isle, Maine (February 14, 2023) —Aroostook Career Exploration (ACE), a program offered by Northern Light AR Gould Hospital, is gearing back up in 2023.   

“We are pleased to be able to have high school students back in the hospital,” said Goldie Ballerstein, Manager of Clinical Education.  “For the last few years, we offered a virtual tour and panel discussion for students, but it just wasn’t the same as being on campus to explore a career in person. We have over 100 high school students who will be visiting the hospital to take part in the spring session of the program.”

ACE, originally launched in 2019, enables students explore a wide variety of career opportunities. Students can also volunteer, job shadow, earn their CPR/ First Aid certification, and open the door for a possible scholarship.

Three sessions are planned for the year. The first takes place in March with a tour of the hospital, including an introduction into many hospital-based career fields. Future sessions will include an Escape Room team building exercise and a mock disaster drill.

“Students will get a real feel for the careers they are exploring and get the chance to network with professionals who work in them every day. They will see the technology being used, hear about emerging trends, and understand the training required for each career,” said Daryl Boucher, Vice President of Operations at the hospital and one of the creators of the ACE program.

As it gears up in 2023, the ACE program will have a new structure.  Instead of taking place after school and weekends, ACE is now being offered in collaboration with several local schools, including Caribou, Presque Isle, Mars Hill, and Fort Fairfield. The spring and fall sessions will take place during the school day, with schools transporting students to the hospital to take part.  A summer session is also planned for July.   

Those interested in taking part in Aroostook Career Exploration are encouraged to learn more or register online at www.northernlighthealth.org/ACE.  To ask questions or request information, please call 207.768.4777. The deadline to register for the March session is February 27.