The Student Success Jobs Program (SSJP) is a year-round internship program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital designed to introduce 100 Boston high school students to medical, health, and science professions. SSJP students are matched with BWH mentors who offer authentic work experiences, exposure to career paths, and an understanding of how their profession contributes to the mission of BWH and the advancement of science and medical care. Through BWH’s commitment to our community, participating students also receive tutoring in math and science, SAT courses, college guidance, enrichment throughout high school, and scholarship eligibility.
Students work in a department for 7-10 hours a week after school and are fully onboarded as Brigham employees with BWH email addresses and IDs. In addition to departmental work, SSJP emphasizes the following learning opportunities to create a unique student internship experience:
- Hands-on clinical education opportunities (partnerships with Harvard MEDscience, MGH's YSIMS, Novartis CELL Lab)
- Public Health and Health Equity Education (monthly SSJP public health seminars, summer research projects, Youth Equity Group discussions)
- Healthcare job training and workforce development (SSJP staff led orientations and monthly seminar workshops)
- Youth leadership opportunities (SSJP Student Committee, Youth Equity Group and Mental Health Mondays)
SSJP partners with Boston public high schools and The Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) to recruit students from the following seven schools: Boston Latin Academy, Community Academy of Science and Health, Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, Fenway High School, John D. O'Bryant School of Math and Science, Madison Park Technical and Vocational High School, and New Mission High School.
SSJP is a comprehensive program with opportunities for students to embark on the college application and selection process, to develop relationships with peers with similar goals, engage in educational and engaging monthly seminars, have access to tutoring in science and math, and apply for financial scholarships for college. SSJP further supports its alumni by offering summer internships in BWH departments that coincide with students' college majors, academic support, career development support, mental health support, and more.
For further information on the SSJP program, please email Jesenia Cortes, Interim Director of Youth Programs at jmcortes@bwh.harvard.edu.
Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Boston Private Industry Council have co-authored a guide entitled Youth Employment: Investing in Your Company and Community. This free guide can be downloaded and provides practical information for employers seeking to establish or expand youth employment programs.
