High School Pathway Programs

The Maine AHEC Network aims to help alleviate healthcare workforce shortages in our communities by recruiting Maine students into healthcare careers.

Engaging students through pathway activities — particularly those from rural communities — is critical because growing up in a rural area is a strong predictor of future rural practice. Health career exploration programs are offered throughout Maine in collaboration with our partners. These programs are designed not only to expose youth to healthcare careers, but also to support them along the pathway to entering those careers.

Rural Youth Health Career Pathway Program

Maine AHEC Network’s new Rural Youth Health Career Pathway Program is a hands-on, year-long initiative that supports rural Maine high school students in exploring and pursuing healthcare careers. Designed to reduce the barriers rural students often face, the program combines engaging learning experiences with personalized support and community connection. Students participate in a cohort-based learning model that fosters peer support and long-term engagement. Throughout the year, students attend targeted learning sessions with each of the three regional AHEC Centers on topics that build essential skills and knowledge for future success, including:

• Self-advocacy and goal setting, to help students build confidence and take ownership of their education and career journey
• Exploring education pathways, with guidance on two- and four-year programs, training opportunities, and rural healthcare career options
• Education funding and financial aid, including workshops on scholarships, student loans, and the FAFSA process
• Career readiness skills, such as resume writing, interviewing, and professional communication
• Career exploration, where students explore health professions through interactive workshops and clinical simulations

Each student also participates in a service-learning opportunity that fosters leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills they can showcase on future applications and resumes. In addition, one-on-one mentoring provides ongoing guidance, helping students navigate high school coursework, career decisions, and transition into higher education or health career training programs. By combining personal mentorship, career exploration, and practical skill-building, this innovative program strengthens the pathway for rural Maine youth to become the next generation of healthcare professionals serving their own communities.

Health Careers Explorations Camp

Every year, UNE hosts a free health career exploration camp for high school students from rural or underserved communities to participate in hands-on activities to learn about careers in health care. In addition, they learn about the college admissions process. The next summer camp will take place in June 2026.

During the camp, students learn about careers in dental hygiene, dental medicine, osteopathic medicine, neuroscience, neurodevelopmental and related disabilities treatment, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and public health.

The camp is overnight, designed to replicate some of the college experience. Students will stay in dorms on UNE’s Biddeford Campus and eat at the dining hall. Students who live locally have the option of attending the day camp activities only. Camp coordinators and chaperones will stay with the students while the camp is in session. Transportation between the Portland and Biddeford campuses will be provided during the camp.

No Cost

There is no cost for accepted students to attend this camp, which is funded by the University of New England, Maine AHEC Network, the Finance Authority of Maine, Maine Health Access Foundation, and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Application Process

Applications are accepted from Maine students who will be entering grades 10–12 in the fall of 2026.

Applications for the summer camp will be available here in April 2026.

Strengthening Our Healthcare Workforce: Empowering New Mainer Youth to Explore and Pursue Health Careers

The Strengthening Our Healthcare Workforce project helps new Mainer youth from immigrant families in Cumberland and Androscoggin counties explore and prepare for careers in healthcare. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and leadership development, students gain the skills and confidence to pursue paths in the health professions.

The project’s five primary components are:

1. Learning opportunities for students to gain exposure to health careers and to receive mentorship
2. Support for student internship opportunities in the health field
3. College preparation and career planning sessions for youth and their families
4. Leadership and civic engagement learning opportunities
5. Ongoing support for youth and their families

Graduate students from the AHEC Scholars program help deliver learning activities for the project.

The project is made possible by a two-year Community Responsive Grant from the Maine Health Access Foundation, awarded to the Maine AHEC Network and its community partners at the Maine Access Immigrant Network and the New Mainers Public Health Initiative. The grant builds on a project previously funded for five years by the federal Office of Minority Health.

For more information or questions about any of our Pathway Programs, email the Maine AHEC Network Pathways Coordinator, Christina Schechtman, at cschechtman@une.edu.