Girls Meet the Workforce 2027 - Executives (11th Grade)

Girls Inc. of Orange County’s Girls Meet the Workforce program is a 6-month job readiness experiential opportunity for current 9th through 11th graders. Its purpose is to help you identify your career interests and prepare you for today’s workforce. You will strengthen your soft skills (e.g. interpersonal communication, leadership, and networking) as well as your hard skills (e.g. navigating Microsoft Office and Google applications) throughout our career-readiness programming. This is accomplished by holding in-person workshops with Program Staff. During each Development Day, there will be extensive career exploration within industries like STEM, Law, Business, and those that are underrepresented by women. 

Program Logistics:

• Orientation Date: Thursday, January 21st from 5-6:15 PM

• Development Day Dates: February-June 2027, 10:00am-3:00pm

  • February 20th 

  • March 20th

  • April 17th

  • May 15th

  • June 12th

• Training Week Dates:

  • June 21st-25th, 2027

• Summer Placements
  • For Externship Track: July 2027 -- must be available entire month of July to be placed with a paid externship placement. 
  • For Apprenticeship Track: July 2027 -- must be available for week of July 5th-9th to be placed with a paid apprenticeship placement.

• Location: Santa Ana College, 1530 W 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92706

• Time: 10:00am-3:00pm

• Price: $25 Registration Fee upon acceptance.

Executives (11th grade) 

As an 11th-grade Executive, you’ll join monthly workshops that build your skills in networking, financial literacy, business etiquette, professionalism, and personal branding from February through June.

Summer Placements

Students will have the chance to select from the following based on their availability and commitment:

1. Option 1 - EXTERNSHIP: $300 20-hour externship during July -- MUST be available entire month of July 2027
2. Option 2 - APPRENTICESHIP: $100 one-week apprenticeship from July 5th-9th, 2027

Executive Time Commitments: 

• January Virtual Student & Parent Orientation

• 5 “Development Days” (once/month, February-June)

• 4-Day “Training Week” in June

• Summer placements: Depending on your selection and availability

  • Option 1 - EXTERNSHIP: $300 20-hour externship during July -- MUST be available entire month of July 2027
  • Option 2 - APPRENTICESHIP: $100 one-week apprenticeship from July 5th-9th, 2027

• Externship Reception on July 29th, 2027

What are Externships?  (11th grade only)

Our “Externships” are unique experiential learning opportunities, like internships, offered by Girls Inc. of Orange County that give you trainings to feel equipped for a workplace environment. The Externship Program partners with organizations, businesses, and firms around Orange County who will provide professional development workshops and workplace trainings February through August 2027. Students are placed with companies based on several factors that may include career interests, location, and/or availability. To receive an externship placement, students must be available during the entire month of July 2027.

What are Apprenticeships? (11th grade only)

Our "Apprenticeships" is an opportunity to build upon your skills through a series of certification courses, campus tours, and intentional career exploration. Girls Inc. of Orange County partners with local leaders, campuses, and business to provide robust and comprehensive training experiences during the July apprenticeship week.  To receive an apprenticeship placement, students must be available during the week of July 5th-9th, 2027.

Important Notes:

This program provides students with hands-on career exploration, professional skill-building, and individualized support to prepare for future academic and workplace opportunities. While all participants will engage in meaningful programming, externship placements are limited and not guaranteed for every student. Placement is contingent upon student readiness, program requirements, and the availability of externship opportunities. All students, regardless of placement, will receive comprehensive career readiness support throughout the program.

Externship placements may not perfectly match all career interests or location preferences. However, every student selected for the externship will be placed so long as they are available during the month of July. We encourage applicants to approach the program with an open mind and a willingness to explore new fields while gaining valuable professional experience.

Stipend Information

Selected 11th Graders will be eligible to receive a stipend of up to $300 after successful completion of their summer externship OR a stipend of up to $100 after success completion of their apprenticeship. Successful completion is defined as: 

• Following directions and submitting required materials on-time to Girls Inc. staff and summer host organization (activities, assignments, evaluations, etc.) 

• Having zero or one excused absence (unless otherwise communicated to cohort lead) 

• Completing the set number of hours agreed upon with host company mentor, minimum 20 hours throughout the Externship Placement Window (July 5th-30th)

• Upholding standards of professionalism at your summer placement workplace and during Girls Inc. Externship programming.

For more information, read our Program Overview.