Be Curious, Be Imaginative, Be Passionate
What do you want to be when you grow up?
This is one of the most important and one of the most difficult questions we ask students. In 2024 New Bridge answered the call to provide quality, age-appropriate Career Connected Learning experiences to students. We believe that this work:
~ Builds self-awareness and confidence.
~ Expands possibilities and encourages dreams.
~ Fosters goal setting and focus.
and
~ Encourages academic achievement.
How do we know this work is important?
About one in three high school students (35%) — and one in four middle school students (26%) — say Career Connected Learning opportunities at their school have informed what they plan to do after high school.
New Bridge offers Career Connected Learning (CCL) for 9th through 12th graders to spark early interest in healthcare careers and help students explore their sense of purpose.
High School is a critical time for self-discovery, and we provide immersive experiences that allow students to see themselves in future roles.
Through field trips and hands-on activities, students engage with healthcare professionals, explore career pathways, and participate in virtual reality simulations that put them in the shoes of medical assistants, phlebotomists, and other essential healthcare workers.
By making career exploration interactive and meaningful, we empower students to envision a future in healthcare, build confidence in their potential, and set a strong foundation for their educational and professional journey.
CCL bridges the knowledge gap about various career options, providing exposure that significantly influences students’ career choices (Chetty et al., 2019). Programs introducing diverse fields can inspire students to pursue new paths.
Early CCL boosts academic motivation and achievement, as students who see the connection between their studies and future careers are more engaged and perform better academically (ACTE, 2020).
CCL activities also develop critical soft skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication, essential for success in the modern workforce (WEF, 2020). New Bridge specializes in fostering these competencies.
Additionally, CCL enhances economic mobility, leading to higher earnings and better job prospects (Carnevale et al., 2012).
Finally, career exploration fosters personal development and self-awareness, helping students understand their interests, strengths, and values. This self-awareness is crucial for making informed career choices, particularly for those facing additional challenges (NCDA, 2017).
Middle School Learning Experience
In 2024, New Bridge was selected to join the Catalyze Community, a network of over 60 organizations committed to transforming how students are introduced to and interact with potential career pathways.
In the fall of 2024 the middle school learning experience was launched.
The Middle School Learning Experience is for all Middle School Students (6th – 8th grade) in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.
Our goal is to ignite an interest in the health industry, by introducing students to various careers and skills.
With the help of Virtual Reality and virtual coaches, students will have the chance to learn how to obtain basic patient vitals, assist at the scene of an accident, help with knee replacement surgery and more!
Students will also have the chance to step out of VR and into real world health education environment and participate in learning labs.
Through the completion of curated journal and reflection activities, students will explore who they are, the importance of building healthy relationships, making responsible decisions and begin to understand their purpose.
Participate in the Middle School Learning Experience by attending a field trip to New Bridge Cleveland (about 2.5 hours). This experience take place during the school day.
To setup your field trip experience contact:
Rui Gomes de Sa
rgomesdesa@newbridgecleveland.org
Phone: 352-451-8048
High School Learning Experience
For ninth through twelfth graders New Bridge has joined a national network of providers implementing HCC
Volunteers from local medical schools serve as mentors to high school students and support them in the creation of high-level academic and artistic presentations about health topics of their choosing.
In 2022 New Bridge was selected to serve as the intermediary of the Healthcare Sector Partnership. In this role, we joined forces with a local collective impact organization, The Greater Cleveland Career Consortium (GCCC), and the nonprofit Health Career Collaborative (HCC), to offer 9th – 12th grade students in Cleveland/Cuyahoga County engaging project-based learning with a focus on health care related issues.
Funders and Program Partners
The Youth Program is Powered By...
Our program partners and funders play a vital role in youth healthcare career exploration, empowering future professionals with opportunities, mentorship, and resources critical for educational and professional growth.