An early exposure program could help attract more college students to careers in radiology, according to research published October 1 in Academic Radiology.
Applications rose after the program’s implementation, with all students agreeing that the program increased their awareness of careers in medical imaging and radiology, wrote a team led by Felipe Godinez, PhD, from the University of California (UC) Davis Health in Sacramento.
“Early exposure to medical imaging-related careers broadens awareness,” the Godinez team wrote. “Structured mentorship and clinical observation may help motivate students.”
The number of diagnostic radiology graduates has not been sufficient to meet imaging demand. A 2025 report suggests a cumulative deficit of 68% over the past decade in the U.S. radiologic technologist vacancy rates have also been higher in recent years.
Godinez et al wrote that many students are not aware of radiology and imaging careers until well into their studies.
Godinez and colleagues from the Department of Radiology at UC Davis Health developed and implemented the Radiology and Imaging Science Scholars (RaISS) pipeline program. The program’s goal is to expose community college and early undergraduate students to radiology careers.
The program treats community college and early undergraduate students as junior radiology colleagues. They are granted departmental badges and internal system access over a structured, six-month experience. Clinical shadowing, research engagement, mentorship, and professional development are offered.
The program recruited and selected students based on interest in healthcare or biomedical sciences and limited prior exposure to academic medicine. The researchers issued surveys to participating students that focused on radiology understanding, career-pathway awareness, and confidence in further education.
Across the first two cohorts in 2024 and 2025, applications rose from six to nine. However, the researchers noted that 31 applications have been received for 2026.
Of the seven participants who completed the survey, all strongly agreed that RaISS increased their awareness of radiology and imaging careers. And all respondents reported the program influencing their career consideration. One participant in the 2024 cohort has since matriculated to medical school.
And of the eight program mentors from the 2024 cohort who completed the survey, all expressed interest in returning. Finally, the team reported onboarding as a key barrier, taking about four weeks.
Program developers will next work on a five-year plan.
“We will aim to grow the mentorship base, increase the cohort size to 20 scholars, provide scholars a stipend for program participation, capture and record the career accomplishments of past scholars, and strengthen partnerships with participating academic institutions and funding organizations,” the study authors wrote.
Read the full study here.