Survey of Healthcare Careers Course – Including Mental Health/Behavioral Health Career Exploration

Class Description:

An exploration of various allied health professions, including diagnostic, medical information, rehabilitation, and patient care services with opportunities for mental health/behavioral health career exploration through classroom speakers, job shadowing, and field experiences. This program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in various settings. Students will gain an understanding of the prevalence of mental health issues and the various mental health careers available. Students will receive college credit and a teen mental health certification.

Experience will include:

• Enrollment in College of DuPage course HLTHS1100
• Completion of Teen Mental Health certification
• Guest Speakers from Endeavor Health, Edward-Elmhurst Health, Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, and other partners in the mental health/behavioral health field
• Career exploration, experiential learnings, and field experiences in mental health/behavioral health

Naperville

Schedule – Naperville:

• June 1, 2026 – July 9, 2026

• Monday & Wednesday, 9:00 am – 11:30 am – College of DuPage Naperville Center

• Thursday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm – Career Exploration / Field Experience at various locations

• Will include some hybrid experiences
• Classwork requires a computer
• *Timing of the class might vary slightly in the morning.

Elmhurst

Schedule – Elmhurst:

• June 1, 2026 – July 9, 2026

• Monday & Wednesday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm – York High School

• Thursday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm – Field Experience

• Please indicate on the application if transportation assistance is needed
• May include some Hybrid experiences

Lisle

Schedule – Lisle:

• June 1, 2026 – July 9, 2026

• Monday & Wednesday, 8:00 am – 10:30 am, Lisle High School

• Thursday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm – Job Shadowing / Field Experience

• May include some Hybrid experiences

Summer Opportunities for Students
Interested in Trades & Construction

Class Description

This six-week program provides a high-impact, hands-on introduction to the world of trades and construction. Step out of the classroom and onto the job site. Instead of just reading about it, you will actively explore the dynamics of construction between managers, contractors, owners, and architects. Gain access to expert training and explore job opportunities in the high-demand world of the trades.

Experience will include:

• Guest speakers from the construction industry including the trades
• Student project on innovative environmental ideas for the construction industry
• Job shadowing opportunities, experiential learning, and field experiences in the Construction Industry including the trades
• Enrollment in College of DuPage ARCH1301

Requirements

• 16+ years of age

Schedule

• June 1, 2026 – July 9, 2026
• Mondays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Education/Learning Days
• Thursday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm – Field Experiences at various locations
  • (Bus leaves from Power Forward DuPage, Warrenville, IL)

Times may vary based on experience locations.

All costs will be covered, including books and fees.

Pharmacy Technician Prep Course

Class Description

This program is designed to provide students interested in healthcare careers an opportunity to learn about the pharmacy profession. Students will complete 40-hours of classroom experience followed by 20-hours of job shadowing experience. The classroom portion of the summer program consists of lecture, online coursework and hands-on lab work. The outcomes are designed to guide students in learning the foundational knowledge and skills of a pharmacy technician role.

Experience will include:

• Non-credit bearing educational experience, students will complete a capstone project where they will develop, complete, and present on how medication is being used in disease-management, culminating in a final presentation.
• Job shadowing opportunities, experiential learning, and field experiences

Requirements

• 16+ years of age
• 3.0 GPA
• Classwork requires a laptop or desktop computer

Schedule

• June 9, 2026 – July 31, 2026
• Full participation is required, including online coursework and job shadowing
• In-person sessions every Tuesday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, at the College of DuPage main campus in Glen Ellyn.
• The classroom component, including online coursework, must be completed by July 7, 2026.
• Job shadowing begins on July 14, 2026. Students must comply with clinical site onboarding requirements, including vaccination and drug screening. Licensing will be completed prior to the job shadowing experience. Students will be guided in class through the online application licensing process.

Summer opportunities for students interested in Physical & Life Sciences

Class Description

During this six-week program, students are expected to arrive between 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (bringing their own lunch and eating between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm). The Monday-Thursday sessions will begin promptly at 1:00 pm. The six-week structure includes themed weeks, including Introduction to Fermilab, Engineering, Quantum Science, Astrophysics/Neutrinos, Life Sciences, and Student Presentations/Certificates. There will be one tour each week (at Fermilab). Week Six (last week of the series) students will present their work. On Fridays students will go on field experiences to explore various career opportunities and applications.

Requirements

• 16+ years of age
• 3.0 GPA
• Intent to attend all the sessions – Students who miss no more than 2 sessions will receive a signed Certificate of Participation at the end of the program
• Student must provide own transportation to Fermilab during the week. REAL-ID document or passport is required for all adults and students who drive on to the Fermilab campus.
• Students are expected to bring their own lunch

Schedule

• June 15, 2026 – July 23, 2026
• Monday – Thursday, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Fermilab’s Lederman Science Center
• Friday – Career Exploration / Field Experiences

Ethical Considerations in the Healthcare Industry

Class Description

Students will be introduced to ethical behavior and professional practice expected in healthcare. Topics will include communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, all-hazard preparation, needs of the patient, death, and dying. This program is designed to provide students the knowledge and skills necessary to work in various settings. Students will gain an understanding of the healthcare sector, receive college credit from College of DuPage (SURGT 1000), a teen mental health certification, career readiness skills, and career exploration field experiences.

Requirements

• Classwork requires a computer
• 16+ years of age

Naperville School District 203

Schedule

• June 1, 2026 – July 9, 2026
• Monday & Wednesday, 9:00 am – 11:30 am, College of DuPage Naperville Center
• Thursday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, Career Exploration / Field Experiences at various locations

Creativity in Careers: Innovation, AI, and the Arts

Class Description

This six-week program explores the intersection of arts, innovation, and AI — and how creativity drives the future. Through immersive artistic experiences and hands-on exploration of emerging tools, you’ll expand your creative confidence, strengthen how you communicate, and discover how your unique perspective can shape meaningful impact in a rapidly changing world.

Schedule

• June 1, 2026 – July 9, 2026
• Tuesday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, Classes at various locations in the Naperville Area
• *Thursday, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Career Exploration / Field Experiences at various locations

*Timing might vary slightly on Thursdays.