Q&A with Julie Joyal

1. MEDscience began as a small summer program in 2005 and has grown into an organization with multiple initiatives, including MEDscienceWORKS. What are the most significant ways the organization has evolved over the past 20 years?

HMS MEDscience has grown from a small anatomy and physiology program into an organization serving more than 4,500 high school students annually. We have learned that hands-on, immersive learning can engage students from every type of community and school. In our simulation rooms, students who may feel shy, uncertain, or disengaged elsewhere discover their voices while building confidence, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

We have also found that the “MEDscience method” can be applied to laboratory science, forensic science, and—through our MEDscienceTECH program—to biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, and physics. With MEDscienceWORKS, we are extending that approach to adults, helping participants develop the technical and professional skills they need to pursue meaningful careers in the life sciences.

2. What need did you identify among young adults that led to the creation of MEDscienceWORKS, and why is it important to create accessible entry points into the life sciences for people who may not have traditional degrees or certifications?

Over the last two decades, we have met capable, motivated high school students who were not pursuing four-year degrees because of family, financial, or health circumstances. At the same time, life science companies and hospitals offer promising entry-level opportunities for people with relevant technical skills and durable career skills—even without a bachelor’s degree.

MEDscienceWORKS builds a bridge into those careers. Its nine-week, part-time structure allows participants to learn and earn while continuing to work. Each trainee receives a $2,000 stipend, along with transportation and meal support. These resources make participation possible and help trainees recognize that a career in the life sciences can be within reach.

3. What changes do you see in participants between the beginning and end of a MEDscienceWORKS cohort?

By the end of the program, trainees gain technical skills, confidence, and a clearer sense of what is possible. They learn laboratory processes, terminology, policies, and equipment while becoming more comfortable in a professional setting. They also learn to connect experiences from previous jobs to the needs of life science employers and build a portfolio that includes a refined résumé and an updated LinkedIn profile, complete with a portrait taken by a professional photographer. They also participate in multiple rounds of mock interviews. 

Simulated medical emergencies help trainees understand that every sample or clinical trial is connected to a patient or family seeking answers. While our immediate goal is to train, prepare, and support our graduates for their first life science job, we have found that this work also sparks their interest in science careers and helps them envision the possibilities ahead.