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Student & Parent Information

High School Internships for Juniors and Seniors

Are you ready to explore your passions, gain real-world experience, and build your future? Path to Purpose helps high school juniors and seniors like you connect with internships that align with your interests and career goals.

Whether you dream of working in healthcare, engineering, business, tech, education, or another field, this program opens doors to professional environments where you can learn, grow, and shine.

Applicants Must:

–  Be a junior or senior in high school.

– Be at least 16 years old by February 1st, 2027. 

– Commit to completing at least 50 internship hours between February and May 2027 (approximately 4-8 hours per week).

– Submit a Résumé & Cover Letter.

– Submit two references (who are not your parent/guardian)

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STUDENT INTERNSHIPS PLACED
Earn Early College Credit!

All Path to Purpose interns must enroll in a one-unit Internship course at the SRJC (don’t worry, your school counselor can help with this!) This is an online course with no scheduled meeting times – you work with an instructor and submit assignments by the deadlines.

Want to stand out in your application and interview?

This .5 unit online course through the Santa Rosa Junior College will help you explore job platforms, build a professional profile, and create strong resumes and cover letters. You will also practice interviewing, researching employers, and learn how to follow up after applying. By the end of the course, you will have the skills and confidence to search for and apply to internships in your field.

Dates: September 1, 2026 – September 29, 2026. Tuesdays, 7 PM – 8:45 PM

Course # (CRN) 2439. Talk with your high school counselor about registration and dual enrollment.

Internships Made Simple.

Who Can Apply

Any juniors and seniors enrolled in a Sonoma County high school.

Application Process

No need to know all the local opportunities, simply fill out the application and we will help pair you with an internship that meets your needs!

Placement

You’ll be matched based on your interests, skills, availability, and goals.

Hours

Internships are 50+ total hours during the spring semester.

College Credit

 Earn 1 early college credit at Santa Rosa Junior College upon completion.

YEAR-ONE INTERNSHIP HOSTS

Last Year's Participating Employers Included:

Animal Hospital of Cloverdale

Blue Apple Dental Group

BPM

Business Alliance Sonoma County

Catholic Charities

Center for Well Being

Ceres Community Project

County of Sonoma

CTE Foundation

Curly Doodle Dog Grooming

Dahlia & Sage

Galactic Health Center

Hansel BMW

Hansel Toyota

Humane Society

Individual & Family Support Network (IFSN)

Kaiser Permanente

Lehr Insurance

LEMO Americas

Manzanita Grove Vineyard

Martin Reed & Jennifer Klein Real Estate Team

PACE Supply

Pathways Charter

Pepperwood Preserve

Preferred Sonoma Caterers

Providence Health

QKA Architects

Rebuild Together Petaluma

Regenerative Education Alliance

Samantha Paull Events

Santa Rosa Community Health

Schulz Museum

Sonoma County Fire District & Medic Ambulance

Sonoma County Office of Education

Sonoma Valley Community Health

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art

Sutter Health

Sustainable Living Builders

Township Animal Hospital

United Cerebral Palsy North Bay

YMCA

Dates & Deadlines

Application Open
Interviews & Placements
Internships
Aug. 12 - Sep. 23, 2026
Sep. to Nov., 2026
Feb. - May 2027

Tools & Resources

🧭 Be As Prepared As Possible!

Path to Purpose Application Workshop & Internship Prep: Get help building your resume and learning how to be better prepared for a job or internship.

When & Where: September 12th, 9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. CTE Foundation offices. 1030 Apollo Way, Santa Rosa, CA

Register Here

Application Assistance: Path to Purpose staff will host virtual “Office Hours.” Students are welcome to drop in anytime to get help with their application or ask questions about the program.

When: September 15th, 16th, and 17th, from 3:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

Click here to drop in during office hours

📝 Build Your Resume!

A resume is like your personal highlight reel—it shows off your skills, experiences, and strengths all in one place. Even if you don’t have a lot of job experience yet, you can include things like classes you’ve taken, school projects, sports, clubs, or volunteer work. Having a resume makes it easier for employers to see what makes you a great fit for an internship, and it’s something you’ll keep adding to as you grow.

📝 Build Your Cover Letter!

A cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself to an employer and explain why you’re excited about the internship, while also showcasing your interests and abilities.

📝 Follow Sofia’s Path to Purpose Journey!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who can apply for the Path to Purpose internship program?

Any juniors and seniors enrolled in a public Sonoma County high school or non-public school students who face significant challenges.

Do I need to choose a specific company when I apply?

We will let students know what organizations are hosting internships and the types of internship roles available. However, students are not applying for a specific internship role. In your application and interview, you’ll share your interests, skills, and availability, and we’ll match you with the an internship opportunity that fits you best.

Do I need to have a completed resume?

Yes. You should have a resume that shows your skills, education, work and volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, awards and achievements. If you need help building or refining your resume, we recommend speaking to the college and career counselor at your school.

Who should I list as my referenecs?

Include adults who know your work ethic and character, such as teachers, club advisors, coaches, or volunteer/work supervisors. Please do not list family members.

Can a homeschooled student apply?

Path to Purpose accepts applications from juniors and seniors enrolled in a public Sonoma County high school or students in a non-public Sonoma County high school that serves high-need students like. So, if the homeschooled student is a junior or senior enrolled with a public homeschool program (such as Pathways Charter,  Orchard View School, etc.), then they are eligible to apply. If the student is homeschooled through a private school, or homeschool independently without any school association, then they would not be eligible to apply.

Are these internships paid?

Some internships are paid, while others are unpaid. Regardless of pay, all internships are designed to offer valuable hands-on experience. And both options will allow you to earn early college credit if you enroll in the SRJC’s Internship course.

What would my internship schedule look like?

Each internship includes at least 50 total hours during the spring semester (February – May). Your internship schedule and hours per week depends on several factors: 1) Your availability when taking into consideration your school schedule, sports, clubs, a job, and other obligations. 2) The internships host’s availability to host an intern. Some hosts may be flexible while some may have set days and times to host an intern.

Do I need a work permit for my internship, and how do I get one?

Yes, you must obtain a work permit before the start of your internship. This includes several steps, including obtaining a form from your school and having your parent/guardian and internship host sign it. See the steps below for more details.

1. Obtain a Work Permit Form from your school office (front office, counseling office, or career center)

2. Fill out the student section. Complete all required student information, including name, address, date of birth, school information, and parent/guardian information.

3. Have a parent/guardian sign the Work Permit Form

4. Have your internship host complete their section. You can either send the work permit to your internship host digitally to sign and send back to you, or you can take the Work Permit form to complete in-person. Work with your internship host for what works best for them. They will fill out the business name, address, job duties, and work schedule, and then sign the form.

5. Submit the form to your school. Once all sections of the Work Permit Form are complete, turn in the completed form to your school office or designated school staff member.

6. Receive your work permit from your school. The school will review your application, and if approved, will issue your official work permit. You can usually pick it up from the same location where you submitted it.

7. Scan or take a picture of your work permit and send it to your SRJC Work Experience Instructor

8. Bring the permit to your employer on the first day of your internship

Will I earn early college credit for this internship?

Yes! Once your internship is secured, Path to Purpose will help you enroll in the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Internship Class (99i). This is an asynchronous course, which means it is an online course with no scheduled live meetings. An SRJC instructor will be assigned to you and you will submit assignments through a digital platform called Canvas. You can complete the coursework at your own pace, but will still have to meet certain deadlines.

Upon completing 50 hours in your internship and all required work assignments for the class, you will earn one early college credit.

Will I get support during my internship?

Yes! Our team will be available to support you before and during your internship experience, and we’ll also check in to make sure it’s a good fit. If you are enrolled in the SRJC’s Internship Course, you will also be provided an instructor that acts as a coach to help you and your internship host draft learning goals.

Can I still apply if I don’t know what career I want?

Absolutely. The application will help you explore your interests and strengths, and we’ll work to place you in an experience that helps you discover new possibilities.

Have a question that is not addressed in the Q&A? Submit your question below.

Founding Partner:

Sonoma County Office of Education

Workforce Partners:

County of Sonoma
Mark West Chamber of Commerce
North Coast Builder's Exchange
Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce
Russian River Chamber of Commerce
Santa Rosa Metro Chamber
Sonoma County Economic Development Collaborative
Sonoma County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Windsor Chamber of Commerce
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