UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Emily Houghton, a senior from Tyrone Area High School, never expected a visit to UPMC Altoona would change the way she thought about her future.

Before participating in Summer Discovery, Houghton said she had no interest in pursuing a career in healthcare. After learning about the wide range of opportunities available within the field, she began to reconsider.

“Learning about all the different jobs at UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) Altoona was the most impactful opportunity for me,” Houghton said. “I previously had never wanted anything to do with the healthcare field, but now I may consider it.”

Houghton was one of 24 high school seniors from Bedford, Blair, Cambria and Somerset counties who spent five weeks exploring career and educational pathways through Summer Discovery in central Pennsylvania. The program is a collaboration between the Readiness Institute at Penn State, which is part of Penn State Outreach, and the Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 (AIU8). Through workplace visits, hands-on learning experiences and interactions with professionals across a range of industries, students were encouraged to explore possibilities for their future.

For many participants, those experiences didn't necessarily provide all the answers. Instead, they helped students consider new opportunities and think differently about their next steps.

Meeting professionals from a variety of industries stood out to Aden Gabel, a senior from Portage Area Junior/Senior High School, as one of the program’s most valuable experiences.

“Being able to converse with people from a variety of backgrounds and industries isn't easy for me. However, this program, by its nature, shows off and gives us access to that very opportunity,” said Gabel. “My opportunity to talk to people across these different industries face to face is really something I have appreciated about this program, and something I doubt I would have done without it.”

The experience also helped MarJwok Ojha, a senior from Central Cambria High School, expand the vision of what a career can look like.

“I came into the program with many different interests and not knowing what to do with them,” said Ojha. “Through the help of my instructors and the Readiness Institute’s Emma Hance, I was able to pinpoint what major in college was the best fit for me. I hope to bring what I learn in college back into the community.”

Summer Discovery participants represented Altoona, Bedford, Bellwood-Antis, Central Cambria, Conemaugh Valley, Everett, Ferndale, Greater Johnstown, Hollidaysburg, Portage, Shanksville-Stonycreek, Somerset, Spring Cove, Tyrone and Windber high schools, as well as Bishop Guilfoyle Academy and the Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation.

Throughout the summer, they visited employers, community organizations, Penn State campuses and other sites across the region, gaining exposure to careers and educational pathways they may not otherwise have encountered. Program visits included the Sheetz Distribution Center, UPMC Altoona, Martin-Baker America, Windber Research Institute, Bedford County Courthouse and other organizations throughout central Pennsylvania.

Janel Vancas, director of curriculum innovation for AIU8, said Summer Discovery is designed to help students envision new possibilities for themselves and their communities.

“It empowers students to see beyond the boundaries of what they know today and envision the possibilities of tomorrow,” said Vancas. “Through meaningful connections with peers, mentors, businesses and community leaders, students gain a deeper understanding of how their unique talents can make a difference in the communities where they live and work. They leave with greater confidence, expanded perspectives, and the knowledge, skills and mindset needed to become future-ready leaders who are prepared to adapt, collaborate and contribute to an ever-changing world.”

Justin Aglio, associate vice president for Penn State Outreach and executive director for the Readiness Institute at Penn State, said the program gives students opportunities to explore interests, build connections and develop personalized plans for the future.

“The opportunity students have to focus on exploration and growth is invaluable,” Aglio said. “Learners can network with industry leaders and community representatives, participate in hands-on experiences within numerous career paths to create personalized road maps for future success. Summer Discovery opens doors to possibilities unapparelled by other summer programs.”

Tracy Rains, virtual learning specialist for AIU8, said Summer Discovery provides a unique opportunity for students to build relationships with local businesses and community partners, providing expanded insight into what workplaces have to offer.

“Watching a student have that 'aha' moment, when they realize there's a whole career path they never knew existed, is one of the amazing aspects of this work,” said Rains. “We're so fortunate to partner with industries that are willing to open their doors and let our students explore every aspect of an occupation, not just the surface-level view. Our students leave feeling more confident and prepared for their next chapter.”

Many of the students echoed the sentiment.

“I didn’t expect Summer Discovery to change my thoughts about a career, but I learned through some of the hands-on experiences that there are so many possibilities for my future,” said Jackson Murphy, a rising senior from Tyrone Area High School.

Gabel said the experience also changed how he thought about opportunities close to home.

“Summer Discovery made me much more inclined to stay in the Johnstown area,” said Gabel. “I have a lot of passion for technology and finance and seeing that the Johnstown area offers careers working with and developing technology in spades, as well as careers in finance, makes me less worried about having to look for a good, strong career elsewhere.”

Learn more about Summer Discovery by visiting the Readiness Institute website.