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AUHSD, TGR Foundation and ROP expand career-explorer program; 450 students engaged and toured St. Jude Medical Center
Summary
The Anaheim Union High School District presented a partnership with the TGR Foundation and North Orange County ROP that has engaged 450 students in career-connected learning, including a career panel, class projects and an industry visit to St. Jude Medical Center; student surveys reported large gains in awareness of health-care careers.
Anaheim Union High School District staff and TGR Foundation officials described a multi-year career-connected learning program Sept. 11 that engaged roughly 450 students from Kennedy, Savannah, Magnolia and Western high schools in a health-care career exploration sequence and culminating industry visits to Providence St. Jude Medical Center.
Scott Rendell, AUHSD coordinator for 21st-century careers, introduced the presentation and said the district seeks sustained, classroom-integrated career learning rather than one-off field trips. "This work reflects our district's focus on community-based learning and on developing students' voice, purpose and agency," Rendell said.
John Lee, senior vice president of programs and education at the TGR Foundation, described the Career Explorer framework — "learn about work, learn through work, and learn at work" — and summarized program elements: a kickoff video, a career panel with medical professionals, a five-lesson classroom sequence that used a community-health industry challenge, a student showcase with panel judging, and industry visits. Lee said the program’s surveys showed strong learning outcomes: 99 percent of participating students reported increased awareness of careers in health care; 97.5 percent said the program helped them better understand the day-to-day life of health-care professionals; and about 95 percent reported direct insights into different health-care careers.
As part of the learning-at-work component, winning student teams from school showcases visited St. Jude Medical Center for tours of departments, including a hyperbaric chamber. Richard, a Magnolia High School student who spoke for the group, described the visit as "a once in a lifetime experience" and said the tour helped him see pathways he might pursue; he told the board he wants to be a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Savannah High School student Sierra Martin said the program changed her perspective and inspired her interest in public health after her team studied mental-health service gaps as the industry challenge.
AUHSD staff said partners included Providence, North Orange County ROP and the TGR Foundation; the district reported the initiative was in its second year of implementation and that students benefited from classroom projects tied to community health data and professional networking opportunities.
Why it matters: The program links classroom curriculum with industry mentors and workplace visits, intended to broaden career awareness and postsecondary planning for students underrepresented in health pathways.
What’s next: AUHSD staff said the partnership will expand to additional industry pathways (esports, carpentry, entrepreneurship, automotive) and continue industry visits and internship connections in the coming year.
