Summer Jobs Program offers students hands-on introduction to healthcare careers

Each summer, Mass General Brigham offers paid summer jobs to local high school and college students — providing mentorship, career exposure and real-world experience in healthcare and academic research.

More than a summer job, these opportunities are an investment in the next generation: helping students develop new skills, build professional networks and gain firsthand insight into the many careers that support our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve.

Get to know our 2026 cohort of Summer Jobs participants.

How has this experience shaped your career goals?

“I had the chance to meet physicians, researchers, pre-med students and medical students who were so kind and willing to share their advice and experiences. Going into the internship, I already knew I wanted to become a physician assistant, but learning about radiology and seeing how it connects to neuroscience opened my eyes to a new area that I had never really considered before. It made me excited to continue exploring healthcare and has sparked an interest in possibly becoming a physician assistant in neuroscience. This experience has made me even more excited to keep learning and growing as I work toward my future career!!”

— Madeline Calix Reyes, Radiology
John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science

“I know that my peers and I have these big goals that sometimes we deem unattainable, but when I stepped foot into that hospital space and looked around at how many people like me have made it into the medical field, I realized if they could make it, I also can most definitely make it too. After that, my perspective on my goal shifted completely.”

— Lyse Verly, Radiology – CT
Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers

“This experience strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in medicine while also introducing me to the role research can play in improving patient care. Working on human-subject research gave me hands-on experience with different parts of the process and allowed me to see how research questions can translate into a better understanding of human health. It has encouraged me to continue pursuing research throughout college and eventually incorporate it into my career as a physician.”

— Belma Velić, Anesthesiology
Centre College

“My experience this summer showed me that patient-centered care is really important, especially when someone is at their worst and needs support. It helped me realize that I want to continue exploring a career in healthcare.”

— Kayin La Roche, PCA-in-Training
Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers

“I’m interested in nursing because I’m a people person, and I like the fact that I can help people. I was helping restock supplies and was the first one to respond to calls from the pager, so I was able to be really one-on-one with the patients as the first person they see.”

— Ocean Peete, Salem Hospital
Beverly High School

“The internship at the BWH Center of Excellence in Vascular Biology expanded my knowledge in the area where endothelial cells were the main focus. Before working here, I had somewhat undervalued cells and bacteria in the human body, since I had thought they were super small and not as interesting as tissues and organs. However, each workday was an opportunity for me to explore the marvel of endothelial cells in the circulatory system.”

— Huy Tran, Pathology
Northeastern University, rising freshman
Excel High School, Class of 2026

Memorable moments

“One of my favorite moments was when everything I had been taught finally clicked. The math behind PET imaging, the history of its development and its clinical applications all came together to provide a much deeper understanding of the image analysis I was doing. Instead of simply following a process, I had people around me committed to making sure I understood it.”

— Sophia Vasquez, Radiology – Price Lab
Chelsea High School

“An unforgettable experience was attending the graduation ceremony for the veterans in the Home Base program. Hearing them share their personal stories and express how grateful they were for the support they received was incredibly moving. Seeing the impact the program had on their lives reminded me that healthcare is also about restoring hope and helping people move forward, rather than only treating illnesses.”

— Jose Marin Herrera, Home Base
Revere High School

“A unique moment for me this summer happened quietly in the Endocrinology clinic. Growing up, I remember my childhood doctor's appointments, not just my physicians but the students who shadowed them. I used to look at them with endless curiosity, wondering what it was like to stand in their shoes. This summer, alongside Dr. Tsai and Dr. Leder, I finally found out. Realizing I had transitioned from the wide-eyed patient asking questions to the student actively learning how to provide care was a powerful, emotional role reversal. It was a clear, defining moment that made my future in medicine feel real.”

— Danny Hallak, Endocrinology
Revere High School

“Some of my favorite moments were the simplest ones: getting lunch together as a team and talking about life outside of work. Those conversations showed me that a research lab doesn't have to be strictly academic to be rigorous and the people behind the work are just as important as the work itself.”

— Ibne Faruk, Center for Surgery and Public Health
Harvard University

“In late July, I attended one of the Sleep Grand Rounds at Harvard Medical School with my supervisor, which is basically a seminar where we get to watch the presenter explain their research and discoveries. Before the presentation started, I got to see much of the networking happening between the people in this field. After listening to one specific researcher talk about her unique project related to hospital noises and patients' sleep, I found it interesting how they can look into absolutely anything. I got to learn how important research was to improve the infrastructure of hospitals to better patient care and satisfaction.”

— Kristina Honda, Sleep and Circadian Disorders
Tufts University, rising freshman
Boston Latin School, Class of 2026

How did your supervisor and colleagues make an impact on you?

“My supervisors and co-workers made me feel welcome from my very first day. They were always willing to answer my questions and teach me something new. They trusted me with meaningful responsibilities and treated me like an important member of the team, rather than only a regular high school student. Their kindness, patience and passion for helping others inspired me to keep working toward my own goals in healthcare. Because of them, I leave this internship with confidence and an even stronger motivation to make a meaningful change in medicine.”

— Jose Marin Herrera, Home Base
Revere High School

“There was never a time where I needed help or clarification that wasn't met with absolute kindness. My supervisor is also a very sweet individual; I feel comfortable going to her for anything. Being with my co-workers made me understand that having difficult patients — or job — isn't the end of the world. If you put your best foot forward every time you go to work, life becomes a bit brighter. I'll miss working in this unit after the program ends.”

— Sharianne Gomez, PCA-in-Training
Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers

“Honestly, I got to this job and I was so nervous. I had a lot of doubts, but once I communicated with my supervisors, managers and co-workers, I felt completely comfortable and confident. They made the hospital feel like a safe space and made it a job worth coming to. I love every minute here, and I have a blast. I’m so thankful for this opportunity.”

— Heidelling Garcia, Central Transport
New Mission High School

“I am incredibly grateful to all of the wonderful people I have met in Dr. Howard Weiner's lab, and I am especially thankful for my supervising postdoc, Dr. Megha Kaul. Her patience and thoughtfulness played a large part in making my work this summer meaningful to me. Instead of just focusing on my daily deliverables, she always took the time to ensure I had a genuine intellectual understanding of the science behind what we were doing. She made sure I was actively engaged with the research rather than just following protocols. Furthermore, she and all of the other postdocs here took a sincere interest in my future and my plans after finishing my undergraduate studies, which made me feel truly valued as a member of this lab.”

— Frenkli Mitrushi, Neurology – Weiner Laboratory
Boston University

“This was my first time doing qualitative research. My interest in it began in a medical anthropology course during the spring of my freshman year, but I arrived with no practical experience. My supervisor and colleagues were consistently patient in teaching me how the work is actually done, and they trusted me with real responsibility early on. Over the summer I conducted patient interviews, contributed to several projects and an IRB protocol, and was included on abstracts. More than the specific skills, what stayed with me was how genuinely welcomed they made me feel in a field that was entirely new to me.”

— Ibne Faruk, Center for Surgery and Public Health
Harvard University