Discover the DVC Health Career Academy, your gateway to exploring dynamic careers in healthcare through hands-on learning, field trips, and medical professionals.
High school sophomore Aizihaer Haishan has been interested in pursuing a career in healthcare from a young age, inspired by his mother who became an obstetrician and gynecologist at just 22 years of age. But he is also driven by a passion to help others and serve his community. “As a first-generation Uyghur immigrant student, my identity and background have shaped how I see the world, and why I care so much about helping others,” said Haishan.
Haishan is determined to use his voice and skills to uplift others who can’t always speak for themselves. This has led him to participate in classes, programs, and organizations that challenge and engage his intellect and curiosity such as DVC’s career academies for high school students. In fact, in summer 2025, Haishan participated in multiple DVC career academies:
• Business Career Academy
• Cyber Security/Defense Career Academy
• Environmental Engineering Career Academy
• Health Career Academy
• Robotics Career Academy
“While each program taught me something valuable and helped me explore my interests early in high school, the Health Career Academy stood out the most,” said Haishan.
Haishan says his experience with the academy confirmed that healthcare is his passion, strengthening his motivation to pursue a career as either an anesthesiologist or a neurosurgeon. He most enjoyed the hands-on aspects of the Health Career Academy, as these activities went far beyond what would occur in a high school classroom.
“One of the most impactful experiences was having the opportunity to observe and handle actual human hearts, brains, and other organs. We also learned practical clinical skills like how to perform different types of injections by practicing on synthetic skin,” said Haishan.
What Are DVC Career Academies?
DVC Career Academies are short-term summer courses that expose students to careers in different fields. These courses are designed with high school students in mind, but are open to all interested students. Participants earn college credit through hands-on activities, field trips, guest speakers, and more. Credits earned are transferrable to California State University (CSU) campuses.
Spotlight on the Health Career Academy
The DVC Health Career Academy enables students to explore five career pathways in healthcare:
• Therapeutic
• Diagnostic
• Health Informatics
• Biotechnology
• Support Services
The program attracts strong interest from students, healthcare providers and business partners, but this year was truly memorable. “We had strong participation from private schools, new guest speakers in biotechnology, and a new hands-on biotech DNA laboratory session,” said Dr. David Pintado, the Summer Health Care Careers Academy Coordinator and DVC Public Health Adjunct Professor.
Business partners were highly engaged, offering site tours, job shadowing, work-based learning, and volunteer opportunities. Highlights of this year’s academy included:
- A keynote from Cy Lucas, who shared his physical, mental, and spiritual recovery from a rare cancer.
- A tour of the San Ramon Regional Medical Center and seminar with hospital staff.
- A visit from the Donors West Network, enabling students to learn about the importance of tissue and organ donations, supported by real stories shared by organ recipients.
- A tour of the DVC biology department’s human anatomy and physiology laboratory, including cadaver exposure.
- Walking tours and presentations at the DVC Sports Medicine facility and DVC Dental Clinic enabling students to learn about careers in kinesiology and the dental field.
- A full-day tour of the Loma Vista Adult Education Center, involving students rotating through the medical assisting, dental, and emergency medical technology (EMT) programs.
- An interactive session with the Concord Police Department Volunteers and Emergency Services who taught students about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
The students were also inspired by Concord Vice Mayor Laura Nakamura who spoke about her experience as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS).
“I’ve been a DVC guest speaker for several years at both the Summer Health Career Academy as well as regular classes during the school year. I always find that DVC students are really engaged and ask relevant questions,” said Nakamura.
After graduating from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, Nakamura decided to enroll in a community college program to pursue a career in echocardiography. Her 30+ years in the field include acute-care in-patient experience with adults and pediatrics at several Bay Area hospitals.
“Allied health professionals are always needed, with in-demand entry-level jobs that have pathways to more specialized careers,” said Nakamura. As an example, she notes her career began with conducting electrocardiograms (ECGs/EKGs), later branching out into cardiac monitor scanning and treadmill stress testing. Midway through her career, Nakamura transitioned to the specialty of congenital heart defects and is now a Sr. Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Cardiology Sonography Department.
Job Outlook for Health Careers
Dr. Pintado says many health careers offer strong growth potential without having to invest the time or cost of a bachelor’s degree. “Options include community health worker, medical assistant, pharmacy technician, nurse assistant, dental assistant, phlebotomist, emergency medical technician (EMT), and surgical technician, among others. Many of these roles offer competitive salaries and opportunities for advancement.”
Bay Area Median Wages
- Community Health Worker: $24.54
- Dental Assistant: $22.74
- Dental Hygienist: $45.32
- EMT: $19.88
- Fitness Instructor: $22.20
- Medical Assistant: $21.25
- Nurse Assistant: $19.01
- Pharmacy Technician: $20.90
- Phlebotomist: $20.99
- Surgical Technician: $30.21
For those interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree, careers include becoming a public health specialist, registered nurse (RN), health educator, medical laboratory scientist, or clinical research coordinator. With a master’s degree, options expand to include nurse practitioner (NP), physician assistant (PA), dietitian / nutritionist, medical and health services manager, and more.
Bay Area Media Wages (Bachelor’s Degree or Higher)
- Athletic Trainer: $28.97
- Clinical Research Coordinator: $77.49
- Health Education Specialist: $30.29
- Medical/Health Services Manager: $56.71
- Medical Laboratory Scientist: $29.75
- Nurse Practitioner: $62.12
- Physician Assistant: $64.07
- Public Health Specialist: $30.29
- Dietitian / Nutritionist: $35.50
- Registered Nurse: $45.00
Building Clinical Skills and Professional Connections
Haishan strongly recommends the DVC Health Career Academy, saying it provides real-world exposure that helps students to better understand what it takes to work in a clinical setting. He says that networking with passionate instructors, Nakamura and other healthcare professionals has inspired him to keep moving forward on his path toward becoming a doctor.
Looking ahead, Haishan plans to enroll in additional public health classes at DVC this fall while completing honors and AP science courses at his high school and continuing his on-going volunteer service at John Muir Hospital.
“The DVC Health Career Academy helped me gain confidence in my abilities and made me even more excited about my future in medicine. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with like-minded students who are just as motivated to make a difference,” said Haishan.
Learn More
• Health Career Academy
• Explore Science & Health Programs at DVC
