Explore Opportunities Beyond Soka
Experiential learning is an essential part of preparing for careers in the health professions. Research, internships, volunteer service, clinical experiences, and community engagement allow students to explore career interests, develop professional competencies, and better understand the health needs of diverse communities.
Health Professions Advising (HPA) has curated the opportunities below to help students identify experiences that align with their interests and career goals. These external opportunities complement HPA-sponsored programs by providing additional pathways to gain experience in clinical care, biomedical research, biotechnology, public health, global health, healthcare consulting, and community service.
Opportunities are organized by category. Please note that application deadlines, eligibility requirements, and program availability may change. Always visit each organization’s website for the most current information.
Biomedical Industry Internships
- Johnson & Johnson – Summer Internship Program
- Merck Research Laboratories – Internship & Co-op Programs
- Sanofi – Internship Opportunities
- AbbVie – Summer Internship Program
- Edwards Lifesciences – Internship Opportunities
- Terumo Medical – Internship and Co-op Programs
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical – Research Internships
- Amgen – Internship & Co-op Programs
- Genentech – Internship Programs
- Biogen – Internship and Early Career Opportunities
- Pfizer – Internships & Co-ops
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals – Internships
- Novartis – Internship Programs
- Gilead Sciences – Internships
- Bristol Myers Squibb – Internships and Co-ops
- BeOne – Life Science & Healthcare Internships
Academic Research & REU Programs
- UCLA Undergraduate Research Programs (REU)
- Caltech Summer Research Opportunities (SURF Program)
- USC Health & Biomedical Research Internships
- NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
- HHMI Summer Research Programs
Public and Global Health Research Internships
- Orange County Health Care Agency – Research Internship
- California Department of Public Health – Volunteer Intern Program
- UCLA Public Health Scholars
- Global Health Corps – Fellowship and Internship Opportunities
- PATH – Global Health Innovation Internships
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) – Internship Program
- Doctors Without Borders (MSF) – Internship Opportunities
- United Nations Global Health Internship
- World Health Organization (WHO) Internship Programme
Other opportunities
- CHOC Medical Intelligence and Innovation Institute (Mi4) Summer Internship Program
Consulting Opportunities
General Management Consulting (MBB)
- McKinsey & Company – Internship Programs
- Boston Consulting Group (BCG) – Internship Opportunities
- Bain & Company – Internship & Associate Programs
Biomedical and Health-focused Consulting Firms
- LEK Consulting – Life Sciences & Healthcare Internships
- ZS Associates – Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Consulting Internships
- ClearView Healthcare Partners – Internships
- Putnam Associates – Internships & Early Careers
Local Hospital & Clinical Volunteering
- Saddleback Medical Center (MemorialCare)
- Hoag Hospital
- UCI Health Volunteer Services
- CHOC Children’s Hospital Volunteer
- Mission Hospital Mission Viejo (Providence)
- Orange Coast Medical Center (MemorialCare)
Free Clinics & Community Health
- Clinic in the Park
- Orange County Free Clinic
- Lestonnac Free Clinic (Orange)
- Share Our Selves (Costa Mesa)
- ICNA Relief – Crescent Clinic (Fullerton)
LGBTQ+ & Youth-Focused Clinics
- Radiant Health Centers
Hospice & Palliative Care Volunteering
- Traditions Health
- VNA Hospice & Palliative Care of Southern California
- Companion Hospice
Nursing Home & Senior Care Volunteering
- Heritage Pointe
- Age Well Senior Services
- Orange County Office on Aging
Public Health & Government
- Orange County Health Care Agency
- California Department of Public Health (Volunteer Intern Program)
Health Advocacy
- Orange County Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP)
- Voice of Refugees
- World Relief SoCal (Orange County)
- CWS Orange County
- Tiyya
- Harm Reduction Institute (Santa Ana) – not currently taking volunteers, but may soon
- Orange County Rescue Mission