College Career Experience (Opportunity Board)

Cover Letter Details: Address to Ms. Melissa Arambula (CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County)

Experience Description: Are you a creative storyteller with a passion for social media? This micro-internship is an opportunity to use your digital expertise to make a real impact!

Join the CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County (CLAOC), a coalition of visionary CEOs working to transform Orange County into a thriving, inclusive, and innovative talent hub.

What You’ll Do:

As a Social Media Content Creator Intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience, grow your skills and see your work come to life while amplifying our mission to drive collective impact. Your responsibilities will include:

• Content Creation: Design visually appealing posts, videos, and graphics for our website and LinkedIn.
• Social Media Strategy: Collaborate on creative strategies to grow our online community.
• Social Media Calendar: Plan and schedule posts that engage and inspire.
• Analytics & Reporting: Track performance metrics and provide insights to improve future campaigns.

About CLAOC:
The CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County (CLAOC) is a coalition of business CEOs dedicated to transforming the region into a premier talent and innovation hub by fostering equitable opportunities, retaining top talent, closing skills gaps, and supporting businesses in driving sustainable growth. To learn more, visit claoc.org.

Dates: 6/22-7/31

Hours: 50 hours total (may be opportunity for additional hours)

Schedule: 10-20 hours per week with days onsite at Rady Children’s Health + 1 hour virtual CLAOC career coaching

Pay: $20/hour

Cover Letter Details: Address to Franciska Castillo (CLAOC) and Jordyn Miller (Rady Children’s Health) and state which department you are interested in and why.

Group Interviews: May

Experience Description: This cutting-edge paid workplace mentorship presents an exceptional opportunity at Rady Children’s Health, legacy CHOC, a leader in pediatric healthcare. This experience is especially appealing to adult college students eager to explore careers that combine scientific innovation with hands-on, patient-centered work. Students will engage in a project-based learning experience, addressing real business needs and presenting their findings to the department at the conclusion of the program. In addition, students will gain shadowing opportunities and exposure to the healthcare environment. Students will work closely with a mentor in one of the following departments:

These departments may be updated as we approach summer, due to capacity and organizational changes. We appreciate your flexibility and will make every effort to align selected participants with their top department preferences.

Pharmacy 

• The Pharmacy Department at Rady Children’s Health provides students with hands-on exposure to pediatric medication management, clinical pharmacy practices, and hospital operations. Advanced college students will shadow pharmacists and pharmacy staff to observe medication preparation, dispensing, and patient consultations. In addition, students will participate in a project-based assignment, researching a current business or operational challenge within the department and presenting a proposed solution. This experience offers valuable insight into both the clinical and operational aspects of pharmacy in a pediatric healthcare setting.

Research 

• The Research Department at Rady Children’s Health provides students with the opportunity to explore clinical pediatric and translational research. College students will shadow research coordinators and staff to learn about study design, data collection, and regulatory compliance, gaining insight into how research informs patient care. Students will also participate in a project-based assignment, identifying a current business or operational challenge within the department and presenting a proposed solution. This experience is ideal for students interested in medicine, public health, biomedical research, or related fields, offering exposure to both the scientific and operational aspects of pediatric research.

Human Resources

• The Human Resources Department at Rady Children’s Health provides students with an in-depth look at how HR supports employees and drives organizational success. College students will shadow HR professionals across programs such as learning and organizational development, recognition, and communication, while gaining exposure to departmental operations. In addition, students will complete a project-based assignment, researching a current business or operational challenge within HR and presenting a proposed solution. This experience is ideal for students interested in business, organizational development, or human resources, providing insight into both strategic and operational functions of HR in a large healthcare organization.

Social Services

• The Social Services Department at Rady Children’s Health provides students with the opportunity to explore the vital role social workers and patient support staff play in pediatric healthcare. College students will shadow social workers and department staff to observe family consultations, care coordination, and community resource support. Students will also participate in a project-based assignment, identifying a departmental challenge or opportunity and proposing a solution. This experience is ideal for students interested in social work, psychology, public health, or healthcare administration, offering insight into both the clinical and operational aspects of pediatric social services.

Population Health

• The Population Health Department at Rady Children’s Health focuses on improving the health and well-being of children and communities through data-driven strategies, program development, and community engagement. College students will shadow department staff to observe initiatives related to patient outreach, health education, and preventive care. Students will also complete a project-based assignment, researching a current business or operational challenge within the department and presenting a proposed solution. This experience is ideal for students interested in public health, healthcare management, or community health, providing insight into how population-level strategies support pediatric healthcare outcomes.

Foundation 

• The Foundation Department at Rady Children’s Health provides students with an inside look at how philanthropy supports pediatric healthcare programs and initiatives. College students will shadow development and fundraising staff, observing donor relations, event planning, and campaign management. Students will also participate in a project-based assignment, researching a current operational or strategic challenge within the department and presenting a proposed solution. This experience is ideal for students interested in nonprofit management, business, or healthcare administration, offering insight into how fundraising impacts patient care and hospital operations.
  

Emergency Management & Business Continuity 

• The Emergency Management and Business Continuity department at Rady Children’s Health brings together two closely aligned functions to ensure a seamless, coordinated strategy for responding to and recovering from adverse events. These events may include both human-induced and natural disasters such as floods, fires, flu surges, network outages, and earthquakes. Emergency Management operates as a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and implementing corrective actions to support effective incident response. In parallel, Business Continuity focuses on conducting business impact analyses to identify critical operational elements such as staffing, equipment, and information systems, with the goal of maintaining high-quality patient care, protecting organizational reputation, and ensuring resilient systems that allow for efficient recovery to normal operations.
• For students participating, this department offers valuable exposure to both preparedness and continuity planning in a healthcare setting. Students may assist in preparing for upcoming disaster drills by organizing materials, supporting logistics, and helping document outcomes and improvement areas. They can also contribute to specialty projects, such as updating emergency preparedness resources, organizing continuity plans, or improving communication tools for staff. Opportunities for research projects may include gathering and summarizing best practices in hospital emergency management, analyzing drill performance data, or supporting elements of business impact analysis. Additional tasks may include auditing supplies, assisting with training documentation, and supporting administrative needs. These experiences provide students with practical skills in organization, research, and systems thinking while offering insight into how hospitals maintain operations and patient care during emergencies.

Restorative Care Department (formerly Unlimited Possibilities) 

• For upper-level college students, the six-week program offers deeper involvement in patient care and clinical support within Rady Children’s Health offsite Restorative Care Department. Students will be paired directly with a physical therapist to observe and assist with therapy sessions for pediatric patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or managing chronic conditions.

• Students take on more advanced responsibilities such as helping implement individualized therapy exercises under direct supervision, assisting with patient progress tracking, and contributing to specialty or research projects like analyzing therapy outcomes, evaluating program effectiveness, or developing patient education tools. They may also support therapists in preparing for new therapy programs, organizing therapy materials, and ensuring compliance with documentation standards. Exposure will include a broad range of pediatric services, from physical therapy to speech, occupational, feeding, and ABA therapy, as well as family support and community programs. This experience provides practical clinical skills, insight into pediatric rehabilitation, and exposure to evidence-based practices in therapy, preparing students for future careers in healthcare or allied health fields. 

Thompson Autism Center (Speech Pathology)

• The Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at Rady Children’s Health is dedicated to bringing the latest treatments and resources to the autism community in Orange County. Through our unique programs, children have a centralized place where they can receive early diagnosis, advanced therapy, and the possibility to reach their true potential. At this offsite location (5-minute walk from the Orange Hospital), students will be directly paired with a licensed speech-language pathologist, gaining hands-on experience in evaluating and supporting communication development for children with autism spectrum disorder. The program emphasizes individualized therapy, evidence-based interventions, and collaborative care across multidisciplinary teams.
• Students may assist with preparing therapy materials, documenting session activities, and tracking patient progress under supervision. They may also contribute to specialty or research projects, such as collecting and analyzing data on therapy outcomes, developing communication aids or visual supports, or reviewing current literature to support intervention planning. Students will observe and support therapy sessions focused on language, social communication, and functional communication skills, as well as participate in planning and implementing group activities for skill generalization. This experience provides advanced exposure to pediatric speech-language pathology in a specialized autism care setting, helping students build clinical, observational, and research skills while gaining insight into the assessment and treatment of communication challenges in children with autism.

Inpatient Respiratory Department 

• The inpatient Respiratory Department at Rady Children’s Health provides specialized care for pediatric patients with respiratory conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia, supporting breathing and overall lung health. Respiratory care is critical in healthcare because it helps maintain vital oxygen levels, supports recovery from illness, and can be life-saving for patients with acute or chronic respiratory challenges. Students may assist with preparing therapy equipment, documenting treatments and patient responses under supervision, and helping monitor respiratory support devices. They may also participate in specialty projects, such as collecting and analyzing patient data, reviewing protocols for quality improvement, or contributing to patient education materials. Students will gain hands-on exposure to clinical respiratory care, observe therapy interventions, and develop a deeper understanding of the critical role respiratory therapists play in patient recovery and ongoing management of respiratory conditions in a hospital setting.

Visit the Rady Children’s Health website to learn more about the organization. 

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS: In order to participate in this program, students will have to onboard immediately after accepting an offer. This will include documentation (Parental Consent, Proof of Age, HIPPA, etc.), Medical Clearance (MMR, Varicella, TB, Tdap), Urine Drug Screen, Online Training, and Orientation.

Schedule Notes: June 15 – July 23, Monday – Thursday from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Hybrid experience with one onsite activity.

Cover Letter Details: Address to Ms. Melissa Arambula (CEO Leadership Alliance OC). Please include the project (descriptions below) that you would like to focus on. 

Are you ready to make an impact and explore an exciting career in Business and Professional Services? The Career Exploration Experience at EY is your opportunity to step into the dynamic world of professional consulting and solve practical challenges shaping our planet’s future.

Structured as a case study model, you’ll take on the role of a sustainability consultant and tackle global challenges head-on. You’ll work on a project of your choice, gaining practical experience in strategic thinking, data analysis, and creative problem-solving.

What You’ll Do:
Over 6 exciting weeks, you’ll:

• Develop your employability and career readiness skills through CLAOC activities
• Learn about EY’s culture and what it takes to succeed in consulting.
• Collaborate with peers in small teams to solve a meaningful challenge.
• Receive guidance from EY mentors and participate in an onsite activity.
• Take ownership of a sustainability project that sparks your passion.

Choose Your Challenge:
Pick one project and dive deep to create innovative solutions:

• Net Zero Emissions Strategy
  Recommend strategies to help organizations reduce their carbon footprint through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation.
• Innovation in Sustainability
  Explore cutting-edge technologies, build sustainable supply chains, or engage communities to drive environmental progress.
• Climate Resilience
  Recommend strategies to mitigate climate risks through better infrastructure, policy advocacy, and resilience-building initiatives.
• Circular Economy
  Design an innovative new product or service that prioritizes recycling, reusing, and repurposing for a sustainable future.

Company Description: 

EY (Ernst & Young) is focused on building a better working world for their clients, associates and communities.  With over 300,000 professionals across 150+ countries, they help clients tackle challenges that matter. From healthcare innovation to cybersecurity. EY is shaping the future – and you can be part of it.

Visit the EY website to learn more about the company. 

Cover Letter Details: Address to Ms. Jordyn Miller (Healthcare Career Academy). Please include the department (descriptions below) that you are interested in. 

Group Interviews: (by invitation only)

Experience Description: Rady Children’s Health (legacy CHOC) is committed to being a leading destination for children’s health by providing exceptional and innovative care. We are looking for committed students to work alongside one of our many departments that are necessary for the overall function of our pediatric healthcare system. These departments may be updated as we approach summer, due to capacity and organizational changes. We appreciate your flexibility and will make every effort to align selected participants with their top department preferences.

During the experience, students will gain hands on experience and exposure into potential healthcare careers in one of the following departments:

As a disclaimer, the departments listed below may change due to organizational changes, updates will continue to be posted. 

Some roles will have patient and family interaction, all under the supervision of current medical staff. 

• Information Technology (High School & 1st /2nd Year College): The Information Technology (IT) department is responsible for maintaining the hardware, software, data storage, cybersecurity, and networks that support the organization’s technology infrastructure. Both high school and college students have the opportunity to learn how IT systems and technical support function in a healthcare environment, where cybersecurity and data protection are critical. Students will assist with a variety of projects aimed at improving IT processes, rotate through and learn from different IT teams, and contribute to initiatives that enhance system performance and security. Past students have gained hands-on experience updating communication tools, supporting department projects, and learning how IT keeps a hospital running safely and efficiently.

• Providence Speech and Hearing Centers (High School & 1st /2nd Year College): Providence Speech and Hearing Centers offer students the opportunity to explore careers in speech therapy, physical therapy, or occupational therapy through hands-on observation and shadowing. Students will follow clinicians during weekly sessions, gaining exposure to a wide range of patient ages and abilities. This experience provides direct insight into patient care, therapy techniques, and the day-to-day operations of a multidisciplinary therapy team, making it an ideal placement for students interested in rehabilitation and healthcare professions.

• Rady Children’s Hospital Mission Viejo (High School & 1st /2nd Year College): Rady Children’s Hospital Mission Viejo, located within Mission Hospital, offers both high school and college students a unique opportunity to experience healthcare in a smaller, specialized setting. Students will rotate through clinical and non-clinical roles to gain a comprehensive understanding of hospital operations, including departments such as Child Life, Medical Unit, PICU, Surgical, NICU, Sleep, and Clinical Nutrition and Lactation. Students may also be exposed to patients facing challenges with eating disorders. Participants will shadow clinical sessions and staff meetings, interact with patients and families, and contribute to specialty projects that support departmental initiatives. This placement provides broad exposure to pediatric care, healthcare operations, and multidisciplinary teamwork, making it ideal for students exploring careers in medicine, nursing, or allied health professions.

• Respiratory (High School & 1st /2nd Year College): The Respiratory Department at Rady Children’s Hospital in Orange provides students with hands-on exposure to pediatric respiratory care and the operations that support it. Students will shadow respiratory therapists and other clinical staff, observing treatments and procedures for patients with a variety of respiratory conditions. They may also assist with department projects, data collection, and patient education initiatives. This experience is ideal for students interested in respiratory therapy, nursing, or other healthcare careers, offering insight into both patient care and hospital workflow.

• Audiology (High School & 1st /2nd Year College): The Audiology Department at Rady Children’s Health provides students with the opportunity to explore pediatric hearing, balance, and auditory processing care. Audiologists diagnose and treat hearing loss, fit hearing aids, conduct auditory tests, and support communication development for children. Students will shadow audiologists and clinical staff, observe hearing assessments and patient consultations, and assist with projects, data collection, and patient education initiatives. This experience allows students to gain a practical understanding of how audiology impacts children’s development and everyday life.

• Advocacy & Public Policy (1st/2nd Year College, 18+): The Advocacy and Public Policy Department at Rady Children’s Health supports the organization and its network of patients, staff, and providers through strategic government affairs and legislative advocacy. The team collaborates with children’s hospitals through the California Children’s Hospital Association (CCHA) and the National Association of Children’s Hospitals (NACH) to advocate for funding and policies that strengthen child health and pediatric care. They also work with state and national healthcare partners to educate legislators about the importance of laws that protect safety net providers and the families they serve. Students in this department will gain exposure to current policy initiatives, attend public hearings, assist with legislative briefings, and meet local representatives, providing meaningful insight into the intersection of healthcare and public policy.

• • Human Resources (1st/2nd Year College, 18+): The Human Resources department at Rady Children’s Health plays a critical role in supporting employees and advancing organizational success. College students joining HR Programs and Initiatives will shadow HR professionals, work on a variety of projects, and be integrated into a vital team that supports learning and organizational development, program management, employee recognition, and internal communication. This role offers meaningful exposure to how large-scale HR functions operate, providing valuable insight for students interested in business, organizational development, or human resources. Through this experience, students will gain a deeper understanding of how HR drives employee engagement, professional growth, and organizational effectiveness across a complex healthcare system.
  • Allergy Clinic (1st/2nd Year College, 18+): The Allergy Clinic at Rady Children’s Health (legacy CHOC) provides specialized care for pediatric patients with food allergies, asthma, eczema, and other allergic conditions. Students in this clinic will gain exposure to both clinical and administrative aspects of outpatient care by shadowing providers and clinic staff, observing patient visits and allergy testing, and supporting clinic-based projects. This experience offers valuable insight for students interested in careers in medicine, nursing, or allied health professions while learning how specialty care is delivered in an outpatient setting.
  • Clinical Nutrition and Lactation (1st/2nd Year College, 18+): The Clinical Nutrition and Lactation Department at Rady Children’s Health provides students with a hands-on opportunity to explore pediatric nutrition, feeding support, and lactation services. College students will shadow dietitians, lactation consultants, and clinical staff, observing patient consultations, feeding assessments, and nutritional planning. They may also assist with department projects, patient education materials, and data collection. This experience is ideal for students interested in dietetics, nursing, healthcare, or related fields, offering insight into the critical role nutrition and feeding support play in pediatric care.
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (1st/2nd Year College, 18+): The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Rady Children’s Health provides specialized care for critically ill and premature infants. College students in this department will gain hands-on exposure to both clinical and operational aspects of neonatal care, though the experience is predominantly shadowing. Students will observe nurses, respiratory therapists, and physicians, and may participate in specialty projects based on departmental capacity and patient needs. Inclusion in specific patient-facing situations is determined by the level of acuity of the patient and requires approval from the medical team and the patient’s parent or family. This experience offers valuable insight for students interested in medicine, nursing, allied health, or healthcare administration while providing an understanding of the multidisciplinary teamwork required in a high-acuity pediatric environment.

• Neuro-Diagnostics and Sleep (1st/2nd Year College, 18+): The Neuro-Diagnostics and Sleep Department provides students with hands-on exposure to pediatric neurological assessments and sleep studies. College students will shadow technicians and clinical staff, observing EEGs, sleep studies, and other diagnostic procedures, while learning about the role of neuro-diagnostics in patient care. Students may also assist with department projects, data collection, and patient education initiatives. This experience is ideal for students interested in neurology, sleep medicine, healthcare, or related fields, offering insight into both clinical practice and the operations of a specialized diagnostic department.

Visit the Rady Children’s Health website to learn more about the organization. 

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS: In order to participate in this program, students will have to onboard immediately after accepting an offer. This will include documentation (Parental Consent, Proof of Age, HIPPA, etc.), Medical Clearance (MMR, Varicella, TB, Tdap), Urine Drug Screen, Online Training, and Orientation.

Schedule Notes: June 15 – July 23, Monday – Thursday from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Mondays will be onsite at Ware Malcomb Irvine Office.

Cover Letter Details: Address to Mr. Francisco Arias (Ware Malcomb)

Experience Description: Step into the dynamic world of Design, Architecture, and Civil Engineering with Ware Malcomb, an internationally acclaimed design firm. This hybrid experience offers high school and college students interested in exploring design principles while collaborating with industry leaders. 

What Awaits You:

• Comprehensive Design Project: Dive into a team-based project that takes you through the full spectrum of the Conceptual Design process – from initial concepts to final presentations. 
• Career Exploration: Discover diverse paths in Design, Architecture, Civil Engineering and beyond, guided by seasoned professionals. 
• Industry Expertise: Participate in guest speaker sessions with Ware Malcomb experts, gaining insights into cutting-edge trends and practices across disciplines. 
• Mentorship & Skill Development: Build or refine your design expertise through direct mentorship from industry leaders in Architecture and Civil Engineering. 
• Hands-On Learning: Engage in practical design exercises and collaborative sessions designed to foster creativity and prepare you for real-world challenges. 

About Ware Malcomb:
Headquartered in Irvine, Ware Malcomb is renowned for its innovative contributions to architecture, interior design, planning, and civil engineering. With a focus on forward-thinking solutions, the firm is shaping the future of built environments for both public and private clients worldwide.

At Ware Malcomb, creativity and collaboration drive their culture. During this experience, you’ll work in an inspiring environment where ideas flourish and innovation is celebrated.