08/18/2026
This past spring, high school students in Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon hopped on a video call to learn what it's actually like to work as a physician, or a nurse, or in medical device processing.
It was a highlight of OC's Health Care Sampler program.
From February to June, Okanagan College welcomed high school students from Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon into an immersive introduction to careers in medicine, rehabilitation and wellness. They didn't just hear about career pathways like Pharmacy Technician, Therapy Assistant, Certified Dental Assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse — they explored them, mixing classroom learning with hands-on lab sessions every week.
But here's a key takeaway: health care isn't a solo act. It's a team sport. And the best way to teach that? Show, don't tell.
The OC Health Care Sampler team turned to our regional partner, Interior Health (IH), who showed up in a big way. Over a dozen employees from departments across the organization volunteered their time to host an online 'Career Carousel' night, walking students through real career pathways and answering the questions that textbooks can't.
The stories from the IH health care professionals — the honest, in-the-trenches kind — gave the students a genuine feel for what different careers in health care actually look like.
A huge thanks to everyone from IH who showed up in this way for the next generation of health care workers. We are grateful for your support and partnership.
Learn more about Okanagan College sampler programs at: https://www.okanagancollege.ca/OC-early-start
Interior Health
