PATH TO PURPOSE

Step Up. Stand Out!

Path to Purpose is a countywide high school internship initiative designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience. Designed in partnership with Sonoma County Office of Education, Path to Purpose is aimed at providing equitable access to high school internships and a streamlined experience for employers.

Path to Purpose provides equitable access to high-quality internship experiences for high school juniors and seniors in Sonoma County. Internships are 50 or more hours throughout the Spring semester.

We also make it simple and rewarding for local employers to invest in the next generation of talent through a flexible internship model with resources and training included.

I'm a Student or Parent

I'm an Employer

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Ready to Kickstart Your Career?

Students - Learn More Here!

Our 2027 Spring Cohort

This year, Path to Purpose expanded scope and interest countywide. We received 91 more student applications, 26 more employers hosting interns, and 163 internship opportunities sent out to students - an increase of 55% more internships from last year.

340

Applications received from 26 high schools

163

Interns placed at local employers

68

Local employers hosting interns

Our 2025-26 Pilot Year

Path to Purpose launched its pilot year in Fall 2025. Applications opened that fall, and internships began in spring 2026. With a modest first-year goal of 25 applicants, Path to Purpose ultimately received nearly ten times that number.

249

Applications received from 22 high schools

105

Interns placed at local employers

42

Local employers hosted interns

What Makes Path to Purpose unique?

Centralized Application System: Students apply once to be considered for multiple internship opportunities.
Customized Matching: We match students based on their interests, availability, and career goals – not by company.
Spring Semester Internships: Internships take place during the school year and are eligible for college credit.
Support for Employers: Optional monthly workshops and on-call support to make internship hosting seamless.
Equity-Focused: Designed to eliminate barriers and ensure all students have access to high-quality opportunities.

Medical professionals performing emergency medical procedures on a patient lying on a hospital bed, with a focus on their hands and medical equipment.

Program Timeline

Fall 2026 & Spring 2027

APPLICATION OPEN

Aug. 12 - Sep. 23, 2026

INTERVIEWS BEGIN

Sep. 30, 2026

PLACEMENTS ANNOUNCED

Nov. 13, 2026

INTERNSHIPS BEGIN

Feb. 2027

INTERNSHIPS END

May 2027

2027 Internship Hosts

68 employers have said yes - providing student interns opportunities for Spring 2027.

Alexander Valley Healthcare

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Alliance Medical Center

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Amy's Roofing and Solar

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Animal Hospital of Cloverdale

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Aqus Community Foundation

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Boys & Girls Club Sonoma Valley

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Capstone Security

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Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation

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Catholic Charities of Northwest California

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Ceres Community Project

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Charles M. Schulz Museum

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Charlie's Acres

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Costeaux French Bakery

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County of Sonoma – Clerk-Recorder-Assessor

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County of Sonoma - Creative Sonoma

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County of Sonoma - Department of Health Services

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County of Sonoma - Department of Human Services

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County of Sonoma - Human Resources

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County of Sonoma – Sonoma County Office of Equity

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County of Sonoma – Supervisor District 3

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County of Sonoma – Supervisor District 5

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Encore Event Rentals

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Food for Thought Food Bank

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Friends of Petaluma River

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Alexander Valley Healthcare - Alliance Medical Center - Amy's Roofing and Solar - Animal Hospital of Cloverdale - Aqus Community Foundation - Boys & Girls Club Sonoma Valley - Capstone Security - Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation - Catholic Charities of Northwest California - Ceres Community Project - Charles M. Schulz Museum - Charlie's Acres - Costeaux French Bakery - County of Sonoma – Clerk-Recorder-Assessor - County of Sonoma - Creative Sonoma - County of Sonoma - Department of Health Services - County of Sonoma - Department of Human Services - County of Sonoma - Human Resources - County of Sonoma – Sonoma County Office of Equity - County of Sonoma – Supervisor District 3 - County of Sonoma – Supervisor District 5 - Encore Event Rentals - Food for Thought Food Bank - Friends of Petaluma River -

Gardenworks

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HOTWORX

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Humane Society of Sonoma County

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Inn at Occidental

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Kaiser Permanente - Future Faces of Family Medicine

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Kaiser Permanente - Medical Offices

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La Familia Sana

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Lace House Linen & Laundry Supply

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LEMO Americas

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Life on Art

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Luther Burbank Center for the Arts

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Manzanita Grove Vineyard

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Max Machinery

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Medic Ambulance & Sonoma County Fire District

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Motivate With Mel

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North Coast Builders Exchange

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Our Village Closet

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Pathways Charter

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Petaluma City Schools

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Polly Klaas Foundation

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Providence Health (Santa Rosa)

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Gardenworks - HOTWORX - Humane Society of Sonoma County - Inn at Occidental - Kaiser Permanente - Future Faces of Family Medicine - Kaiser Permanente - Medical Offices - La Familia Sana - Lace House Linen & Laundry Supply - LEMO Americas - Life on Art - Luther Burbank Center for the Arts - Manzanita Grove Vineyard - Max Machinery - Medic Ambulance & Sonoma County Fire District - Motivate With Mel - North Coast Builders Exchange - Our Village Closet - Pathways Charter - Petaluma City Schools - Polly Klaas Foundation - Providence Health (Santa Rosa) -

Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA)

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Rebuild Together Petaluma

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Regenerative Education Alliance

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Reservoir Farms

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Samantha Paull Planning & Consulting

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Santa Rosa Advanced Dentistry

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Santa Rosa Community Health

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Sonoma County Family YMCA

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Sonoma County Office of Education

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Sonoma Family Meal

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Sonoma State University, HUB

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Sonoma Valley Museum of Art

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Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau

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Sonoma Water

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SRJC Public Safety Training Center

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SSU Police Department

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Sutter Residency: Future Faces of Family Medicine

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Sutter Health – Dr. Asghar

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The Zones

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Three Leaves Heritage Foods

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Top Speed Data

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Township Vet Hospital

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Windsor Unified School District

Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) - Rebuild Together Petaluma - Regenerative Education Alliance - Reservoir Farms - Samantha Paull Planning & Consulting - Santa Rosa Advanced Dentistry - Santa Rosa Community Health - Sonoma County Family YMCA - Sonoma County Office of Education - Sonoma Family Meal - Sonoma State University, HUB - Sonoma Valley Museum of Art - Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau - Sonoma Water - SRJC Public Safety Training Center - SSU Police Department - Sutter Residency: Future Faces of Family Medicine - Sutter Health – Dr. Asghar - The Zones - Three Leaves Heritage Foods - Top Speed Data - Township Vet Hospital - Windsor Unified School District

Founding Partner

Workforce Partners

Sonoma County Economic Development Collaborative

Sonoma County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Funding Partners

Crabb-Grasseschi Family Foundation

Take The First Step on your path.

Student & Parent Information

Employer Information