ECHO Tour℠ Builds Pipeline of Talented Healthcare Workers for Snohomish County

“I now know what I want to do for my career.”

“Just loved it!”

That was the feedback echoed by 90% of Snohomish County high school students who participated in Snohomish STEM’s 2025 ECHO (Exploring Careers & Healthcare Opportunities) Tour℠ this past March. 

Launched in 2024 with federal funds awarded to Snohomish STEM, this high-impact, hands-on career exploration event is designed to connect students with healthcare professionals to demonstrate how to build a purpose-driven, rewarding career in healthcare right here in Snohomish County!

Why Healthcare Careers? Why Here? 

Throughout our area, healthcare professionals are in high demand, representing one of the region’s most critical sectors. As a result, developing a strong, diverse pipeline of career-ready workers has become vital.

The ECHO Tour℠ works to fill that gap. But how?

From Classroom to Career

This dynamic program links classroom learning to real roles in healthcare, so that students are able to envision themselves pursuing a career within a vital workforce that serves the community in which they live.

This includes jobs in:

• Clinical Care: Nursing, Medical Assistant, Dermatology, Dental, Pharmacy, Imaging, Laboratory, Physical Therapy, and Critical Care
• Natural and Holistic Medicine
• Specialty Care: Nephrology and Kidney Dialysis
• Behavioral Health and Memory Care
• Public Health
• Administration
• Health/IT Tech

Events typically occur over two to three days in Snohomish County, with each day serving around 100-120 students in rotating groups. Each school district attends one day.

Groups of 15-20 students then visit eight interactive stations. They are given quick, 20-minute demonstrations of both clinical and non-clinical roles, led by healthcare professionals and educators that include:

• Hands-on demos of things like vitals, simulation equipment, and lab skills
• Initiation of career conversations that cover clinical, tech, administrative, and allied health roles and common questions related to each
• Education and training guidance that’s offered by colleges, training providers, and employers

Even better? Every participating student rotates through every station so that no one misses out!

Partnering for Success

During the March 2025 ECHO Tour℠, 273 students from 19 high schools participated. Around 90% of them left the event with a strong desire to pursue a career in healthcare.

But even if you’re not a healthcare organization, you can still participate!

By investing in the ECHO Tour,℠ you’re helping grow an inclusive, strong healthcare workforce that in turn, keeps employees across multiple sectors healthy and productive. By doing so, it supports our local economic ecosystem and strengthens Snohomish County’s position as a competitive location to grow and expand a business.

Snohomish STEM encourages employers from all industries to secure a sponsorship for our upcoming events:

• December 2025: ECHO Tour℠ at Edmonds College 
• March 2026: ECHO Tour℠ at Everett Community College

Your sponsorship will power hands-on stations, student supplies, presenter logistics, and the post-event Impact Report.

If you’re school district is interested in partnering, we’ll share everything you need! From program design and playbooks to evaluation tools and presenter recruitment strategies, we’ll make sure your ECHO Tour℠ is adapted to suit your local healthcare ecosystem.

Contact us today!