Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center offers a High School Internship Program to incoming Berks County high school seniors interested in pursuing a career in health care after graduation. This unpaid internship provides students with the opportunity to explore career paths, gain real-world experience and determine the direction best suited for future success.
At their school’s discretion, participants may earn academic credit while immersed in the day-to-day operations of a professional health care environment.
Students can expect to:
- Perform nonclinical, hands-on tasks supporting staff, patients and visitors
- Develop a wide range of personal and professional skills.
- Network and build relationships with staff who may serve as educational coaches/mentors and valuable contacts for professional references, networking introductions, career guidance and more.
- Learn and demonstrate the Penn State Health RITE values:
- Respect
- Integrity
- Teamwork
- Excellence
- Experience St. Joseph Medical Center’s core values:
- Reverence
- Compassion
Eligibility
- Be an incoming Berks County high school senior (class of 2026-2027).
- Students will complete the application, interview and selection process during their junior year.
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7.
- Show extracurricular school or community involvement.
- Have no disciplinary or attendance issues.
- Have a demonstrated interest in health care (through school courses/community work, organizations or club membership).
- Complete an application packet and submit it no later than 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2025.
Key Dates
- Application period opens: Nov. 17, 2025
Application period closes: Dec. 19, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.- NOTE: This is a firm deadline. Any application time-stamped after 4:30 p.m. will not be considered.
- Last date for interviews: Jan. 30, 2026 (subject to change)
- Selection notifications: Feb. 6, 2026 (subject to change)
- Internship start date: Sept. 14, 2026
- Internship end date: May 21, 2027
Application and Interview
Application Packet Requirements
- Complete online application form
- Transcript (including current course load and pending grades, if available)
- One-page essay/statement of purpose
Suggested topics:- Tell us about YOU.
- Why have you chosen health care as a career or field of study?
- What is your area of interest and why?
- What do you hope to achieve by attending our program?
- Did you overcome extenuating circumstances to improve your GPA? How
- Resume or list of activities/award
- Two professional reference letters:
- Must not be from family or friends
- Should be from mentors, teachers, coaches, community leaders, supervisors, etc.
- On official letterhead and/or with an actual signature
- Copy of school ID
After Submitting an Application
- Eligible applicants who submit a complete packet on time will be invited for an interview.
- Interviews may be held in person at your school or virtually.
After the Interview
- Selected applicants will receive an email offer with next steps.
- Upon accepting an offer, you and your parent/guardian must attend an onboarding meeting to complete paperwork.
- Students will participate in orientation and training sessions at the start of the internship.
- COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations are strongly encouraged but not required.
General Program Information
Uniform
- Polo shirts are provided to interns.
- Students must supply their own khaki, gray or black pants and closed-toe, closed-heel, non-skid (non-slip) shoes.
Internship duration
- Internships are a full academic year.
- Semester internships are not offered except in special circumstances at the discretion of the program coordinator).
- One-time/short-term shadowing opportunities are not offered.
Schedules
- Schedules are based on department availability, the student’s school schedule and school hourly requirements.
- Shifts available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shifts end no later than 4 p.m.
- Maximum weekly hours: 12. Minimum number: six. Shifts at least 1.5 hours each.
Transportation
- Interns are responsible for their own transportation.
Placement and roles
- Schedules are based on department availability, the student’s school schedule and school hourly requirements.
- While we try to match students as closely as possible to their area of interest, we cannot guarantee specific requests will be accommodated.
- Students will be notified of their assignment after their school schedule is finalized and will receive a position overview with tasks and expectations of their role.
- Assignments will not change unless there are extenuating circumstances (to be determined by the internship coordinator).
- Most positions are at our main hospital at 2500 Bernville Road, Reading. However, positions may be available at Penn State Health Downtown Campus, 145 N. Sixth St., Reading, or other Penn State Health outpatient locations in Berks County.
- Typically, one student from each Berks County public high school is accepted into the program (subject to change due to certain eligibility and other various criteria).
- Available departments may include:
- Cardio/Respiratory
- Cancer Center Infusion Room/Radiation Oncology
- Emergency Department
- Emergency Management
- Family Birthing Center/Pediatrics/ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Family Practice
- Foundation/Office of Development
- Laboratory
- Medical/Surgical inpatient floors
- Surgical Services
- Translator Services
- Wound Care
Additional shadowing opportunities
- Students may explore other departments via shadowing, based on availability and approval of the department.