Pursuing college or a future career can feel overwhelming for many young people, especially when they’re unsure where to begin. Fortunately, the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative is helping freshmen in the Dunkirk City School District discover their paths by providing real-world experiences and long-term support. As part of this effort, students from Dunkirk High School recently participated in a career exploration trip to Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc., where they got a behind-the-scenes look at the dynamic world of healthcare. Locally, the program is led by SUNY Jamestown Community College in partnership with Dunkirk and the Jamestown Public School District. JCC GEAR UP has supported these ninth-grade students since seventh grade and will continue to guide them through their first year of college. During the hospital visit, students toured multiple departments, gaining insight into a variety of healthcare professions: radiology; emergency room; intensive care unit; surgery and orthopedics; physical therapy; infectious disease; medical/surgical floor; and laboratory.