Building on the incredible success of last year’s inaugural FutureSolve program, BAMF Health, Ferris State University, and KentISD are teaming up to provide 27 high school students the opportunity to participate in FutureSolve25. The six-week internship program for juniors and seniors provides real-world exposure to science, engineering, technology, and marketing initiatives happening at BAMF Health.
BAMF Health experts not only educate students about what a career in a STEM or marketing field looks like, students themselves are invited to brainstorm solutions to projects the BAMF team is working on. It provides students with hands-on experience and the chance to make a real impact in an innovative field.
“I am inspired to work with a new group of students as we embark on the second year of our program,” said Andy McLean, Manager of External Relations with BAMF Health. “This transformative event empowers high schoolers to explore diverse career paths in STEM and healthcare marketing and IT, fostering the next generation of innovators by bridging education and industry. Last year ignited a passion for precision medicine in the rising seniors who participated, and I fully anticipate the same for this year’s group!”
Students are split up into small groups based on their area of interest and paired with a BAMF Health IT, marketing, or business operations expert. Throughout the six weeks, BAMF experts collaborate with students on each project with the goal of presenting a proposed solution in the final week.
“I’m looking forward to not only introducing students to a career in healthcare marketing, but also hearing their creative thoughts and ideas for how BAMF could enhance marketing efforts,” said BAMF Health Marketing & Communications Manager Christine VanTimmeren. “Having the ability to actually influence what happens at a company like BAMF is a tremendous opportunity for these students.”
This year’s enrollment in the program nearly doubled to 27, with students coming from Kentwood, Grand Rapids, Rockford, Kelloggsville, Godfrey Lee, and East Grand Rapids Public Schools, plus Catholic Central and Kent Career Tech Center. Each student applied for FutureSolve and was selected by school leaders. They are given a stipend to participate and three college credits through Ferris State in applied research and problem-solving.
“FutureSolve25 is an exciting opportunity for collaboration between K-12 education, higher education, and local business that provides high school students with invaluable experience and exposure to the real world of work in an innovative way,” said Ryan Graham, Director of Workforce Development at Kent ISD.
Throughout the six weeks, students also spend time at Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design and participate in field trips to other area businesses to explore additional career opportunities.
“Here in West Michigan, we have an extraordinary opportunity to connect students to industries and organizations that are shaping our region, our state, and our world,” said KCAD professor and Collaborative Design program chair Gayle DeBruyn. “We’re excited to grow our partnership with BAMF and continue to provide experiential learning opportunities that inspire young people to be the collaborators, innovators, and leaders of the future.”
FutureSolve25 is a strategic partnership between Kent ISD, BAMF Health, and Ferris State University to engage more students in opportunities to expand their connections to real-world career experiences while in high school and beyond.
