The Panther Valley School Board learned about an internship opportunity for the district’s students with St. Luke’s University Health Network ahead of its business meeting Wednesday.

Kathy Hoffman, a volunteer engagement and student services representative for the hospital system, talked about this educational partnership in which students can explore health care careers.

Students who are selected rotate at St. Luke’s locations, hear special presentations and lectures and get nonclinical, hands-on learning opportunities, she said.

“They’ll be shadowing and networking with experienced health care workers, finding out what’s this job is really like,” Hoffman said. “They’ll also be developing career skills.”

She explained that many times students seeonter a television show depicting doctors and nurses, but don’t really understand the reality of the professions. They also learn the wide range of jobs available in a hospital setting, including security and human resources, options they may not have considered, Hoffman said.

“It gives them the opportunity to explore these different opportunities, different positions,” she said.

Hoffman presented the board with information on the internship program and explained that the hospital works with the school on tailoring a program that works for the students, whether it’s during the school day, evenings or weekends.

The program is geared toward juniors and seniors, and often seniors are given preference as they’ll be making decisions on their future sooner, she said, and it limited to six to 10 students.

Board members asked if transportation was provided, and Hoffman said that the students are responsible for their own transportation.