At just 19 years old, Daniela Tlamani is training to become a radiologic technologist at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country. She is earning certifications, gaining hands-on clinical experience, and building a real career in healthcare all during her first year out of high school. 

How did she get here? It all started with a mindset she developed at HERO High School in the South Bronx: take the opportunity when it comes.  

Thanks to her school’s focus on career exploration and a youth apprenticeship with CareerWise New York, Daniela is proving that high school can be more than a stepping stone. It can be a launchpad.  

A High School That Prepared Her to Seize Opportunities  

HERO High School isn’t your typical high school. With a curriculum centered on healthcare and research, students like Daniela are introduced to what a healthcare career can look like early on. HERO offers college-level coursework, internship opportunities, and a culture of exploration that encourages students to say yes to real-world learning.  

 “HERO taught me not to hesitate when something new comes up — even if it’s outside my comfort zone,” Daniela said. “Sometimes the scariest things lead to the biggest growth.”  

That mindset prepared her for the next big step: applying to the CareerWise New York youth apprenticeship program during her senior year while balancing college classes and another internship.“It was a lot,” she said, “but I knew what I was working toward. I had my goals, and this was a step in that direction.” 

From Interview to Impact at Memorial Sloan Kettering  

Through CareerWise, Daniela had the opportunity to choose from three hospital programs, and after interviewing with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). The choice was clear,  “MSK felt like a place where I could grow,” she said. “They saw potential in me and made it clear they were investing in my future.”  

As a radiology apprentice, Daniela now balances her online coursework with hands-on training at MSK. In the X-ray department, where she’s building the foundation for her future in healthcare,  she supports technologists during exams by preparing the room, working directly with patients, and learning how to carry out imaging procedures safely and effectively.

She’s also had the opportunity to rotate through other imaging departments, where she’s learned to set up sterile fields, prepare contrast media, support patients during scans, and observe real-time procedures. Working alongside technologists, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals, Daniela is building confidence in patient care and learning how healthcare teams work together to support each other. 

Gaining Real-World Experience and Real Confidence  

While the technical skills have been valuable, Daniela says the apprenticeship has given her much more than clinical know-how. It has helped her develop time management, professionalism, and confidence, all skills that will serve her for life.  

“I’ve learned how to be a professional, how to manage my time, and how to speak up for myself,” she said. “It’s one thing to know those skills matter — it’s another to live them out.”  

Daniela credits a team of mentors for shaping her journey — from HERO’s principal Kristin Cahill, learning coordinator Kimberly Smith, and advisor William García, to her MSK supervisor Jessica Gibbs, workforce programs manager Sarah Thoresen, CareerWise client success manager Jay Vega, and the techs and managers who supported her every step of the way.  

“As a first-generation college student, my culture and my family are my biggest sources of strength,” she said. “But the people who believed in me helped turn that into real growth.”  

A Vision for the Future and the Tools to Get There 

Now, a full year into X-ray school, Daniela is already thinking about what’s next. She plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology and continue advancing in the healthcare field — a path that offers many possibilities. Thanks to MSK’s tuition reimbursement and ongoing career support, those goals are within reach. 

“This apprenticeship is just the beginning,” Daniela said. “HERO helped me see the opportunity, CareerWise gave me the access, and MSK is helping me build my career.”  

How You Can Follow in Daniela’s Footsteps  

Daniela’s journey shows what is possible when young people have access to meaningful career pathways and choose to take them.  

If you are a high school student interested in healthcare, or an educator or parent looking to support one, here is how you can take advantage of youth apprenticeship opportunities:  

• Explore early: Programs like CareerWise partner with high schools to offer apprenticeships during junior and senior year. Ask your school counselor or career advisor how you can get involved  
• Say yes to hands-on experience: Youth apprenticeships offer paid, real-world learning in healthcare, helping students build skills, earn certifications, and see what a future in the field could look like. 
• Lean on your support system: Whether it’s a teacher, internship coordinator, or mentor, support is key. Stay curious, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to reach out. 
• Think long-term: An apprenticeship can be a powerful first step. It builds confidence, opens doors, and gives you a head start on your college and career goals  Daniela’s path started with a decision to take the opportunity when it came. Yours can too. 

Want to learn how CareerWise connects students to career pathways through youth apprenticeship?  

Visit careerwiseusa.org to explore how our programs can help students build careers in  healthcare and beyond.