Sevier County Students Complete S.E.V.I.E.R. Ready Program at Covenant Health LeConte

May 2025 — Sevier County Schools helps prepare high school students for high-demand, high-skill careers through the innovative S.E.V.I.E.R. Ready Internship Program. Designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, the program equips students with essential skills that are often difficult to acquire through traditional instruction alone. By participating in the S.E.V.I.E.R. Ready Internship Program, students can develop a broad understanding and awareness of industries and possible careers that are available to them.

Covenant Health LeConte has been participating in the program since the fall of 2023. As part of the health services industry track, LeConte provides students a unique opportunity to shadow healthcare professionals across a wide range of departments, including registration, imaging, laboratory services, critical care, respiratory therapy, emergency care and medical-surgical units.

Each student commits to spending a minimum of four hours per week in each department, gaining firsthand insight into the daily operations and responsibilities of healthcare professionals. Entry into the program is competitive, and students must submit applications and complete interviews prior to each semester. For the spring 2025 session, 24 students applied, and 15 were selected to participate. All 15 students successfully completed the program at LeConte and were honored for their dedication at a recognition event on Monday, May 12, 2025.

The impact of the internship extends beyond the classroom. Three of the participating students have already submitted job applications to LeConte, and several others have expressed interest in returning to the facility in the future.

As the S.E.V.I.E.R. Ready Internship Program continues to grow, it stands as a model for how schools and local industries can collaborate to create meaningful, career-focused learning experiences that benefit students and the community alike.