PATH TO PURPOSE
Student & Parent Information
High school Internships for juniors & 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.
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.
Applicants Must:
Be a junior or senior enrolled in a public high school or non-public high school that supports student who faces significant challenges.
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)
Internships Made Simple.
Who Can Apply?
Any juniors and seniors enrolled in a Sonoma County high school, at least 16 years of age by February 1st, 2027.
What’s the 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!
How Am I Placed?
You’ll be matched based on your interests, skills, availability, and goals.
How Many Hours?
Internships are 50+ total hours during the spring semester.
Do I Get College Credit?
Earn 1 early college credit at Santa Rosa Junior College upon completion.
Dates & Deadlines
APPLICATION OPEN
Aug. 12 - Sep. 23, 2026
INTERVIEWS & PLACEMENTS
Sep. - Nov., 2026
INTERNSHIPS BEGIN
Feb. - May 2027
2027 Internship Hosts
Student interns will have opportunities at the following local organizations 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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City of Petaluma
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Corcoran Icon Realty
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Costeaux French Bakery
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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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Elizabeth Baird Photography
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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 - City of Petaluma - Corcoran Icon Realty - Costeaux French Bakery - County of Sonoma - Creative Sonoma - County of Sonoma - Department of Health Services - County of Sonoma - Department of Human Services - County of Sonoma - Human Resources - Elizabeth Baird Photography - 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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Keysight Technologies
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La Familia Sana
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Lace House Linen & Laundry Supply
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Lehr Insurance Agency
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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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North Coast Builders Exchange
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OMW Corporation
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Our Village Closet
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Pathways Charter
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Polly Klaas Foundation
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Providence Health (Santa Rosa)
Gardenworks - HOTWORX - Humane Society of Sonoma County - Inn at Occidental - Kaiser Permanente - Future Faces of Family Medicine - Kaiser Permanente - Medical Offices - Keysight Technologies - La Familia Sana - Lace House Linen & Laundry Supply - Lehr Insurance Agency - LEMO Americas - Life on Art - Luther Burbank Center for the Arts - Manzanita Grove Vineyard - Max Machinery - Medic Ambulance & Sonoma County Fire District - North Coast Builders Exchange - OMW Corporation - Our Village Closet - Pathways Charter - 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 Events
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Santa Rosa Community Health
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Sonoma Community Center
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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 Valley Hospital
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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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Sustainable Living Builders, Inc.
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Sutter Residency: Future Faces of Family Medicine
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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 Events - Santa Rosa Community Health - Sonoma Community Center - Sonoma County Family YMCA - Sonoma County Office of Education - Sonoma Family Meal - Sonoma Valley Hospital - Sonoma Valley Museum of Art - Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau - Sonoma Water - SRJC Public Safety Training Center - SSU Police Department - Sustainable Living Builders, Inc. - Sutter Residency: Future Faces of Family Medicine - The Zones - Three Leaves Heritage Foods - Top Speed Data - Township Vet Hospital - Windsor Unified School District
Tools & Resources
Need help creating a resume, applying to Path to Purpose, preparing for an interview, or just want to get a better idea on what Path to Purpose can do for your future? We’ve got you covered!
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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
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.
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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.
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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.
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Read the story of a high school junior experiencing Path to Purpose for the first time and what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Any junior and senior enrolled in a public Sonoma County high school or non-public Sonoma County high school that supports student who faces significant challenges.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
