Health Professions

Welcome to the Health Professions Community!

The Health Professions Advisor (HPA) provides support to students and alumni pursuing graduate education and careers in the health fields (e.g., medical and dental school). HPA coordinates closely with the Career Development Office (CDO) and the Graduate School Advisor (GSA) to provide students, alumni, and academic advisors with support and resources.

Please visit https://www.soka.edu/health-professions-advising for more information and resources.

To be added to the HPA mailing list, please sign up here.

Experiential Opportunities in Health: Innovation, Research, and Public Health

At Soka University of America, students develop strong research and leadership skills to improve healthcare. Advancing health requires collaboration, creativity, ethics, and understanding of science and society. Our students engage in lab research, health innovation, and strategy consulting, driven by a commitment to equity and real-world impact.

Below is a curated list of internships and experiential opportunities across biomedical research, health innovation, and public health, giving students hands-on experience in the healthcare ecosystem—from research and global health policy to strategic innovation.

AbbVie – Summer Internship Program
        Engage in hands-on projects within pharmaceutical and healthcare environments.
Website: https://www.abbvie.com/careers/internships.html

Amgen – Internship & Co-op Programs
        Learn through internships in biotech research, manufacturing, and business operations.
Website: https://www.amgen.com/careers/university

BeOne – Life Science & Healthcare Internships
        Explore internships focused on life sciences and healthcare sectors.
Website: https://www.beonehr.com/careers/

Biogen – Internship and Early Career Opportunities
        Gain insight into biotech innovation and pharmaceutical research.
Website: https://www.biogen.com/en_us/careers/students.html

Bristol Myers Squibb – Internships and Co-ops
        Gain experience in biotech research, clinical development, and corporate functions.
Website: https://www.bms.com/careers/students.html

CHOC Medical Intelligence and Innovation Institute (Mi4) Summer Internship Program
        Gain experience at the intersection of medicine and technology through innovative internships.
Website: https://choc.org/medical-intelligence-and-innovation-institute/mi4-summer-internship-program/

Edwards Lifesciences – Internship Opportunities
        Gain experience in medical device innovation and healthcare technologies.
Website: https://www.edwards.com/careers

Genentech – Internship Programs
        Join research and development projects at a leading biotech company.
Website: https://www.gene.com/careers/students

Gilead Sciences – Internships
        Join programs focused on healthcare innovation and pharmaceuticals.
Website: https://www.gilead.com/careers/university-programs

Johnson & Johnson – Summer Internship Program
        Explore diverse opportunities in the biomedical industry through a structured summer internship program.
Website: https://careers.jnj.com/internships

Merck Research Laboratories – Internship & Co-op Programs
        Gain research and practical experience in pharmaceutical sciences and healthcare innovation.
Website: https://www.merck.com/careers/students/

Novartis – Internship Programs
        Explore opportunities in pharmaceutical research and business development.
Website: https://www.novartis.com/careers/students-and-graduates

Otsuka Pharmaceutical – Research Internships
        Participate in pharmaceutical research and development initiatives.
Website: https://www.otsuka.com/careers/

Pfizer – Internships & Co-ops
        Participate in pharmaceutical and healthcare research programs.
Website: https://www.pfizer.com/careers/students

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals – Internships
        Work on research and development in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
Website: https://www.regeneron.com/careers/internships

Sanofi – Internship Opportunities
        Participate in programs spanning research, development, and business operations in the life sciences.
Website: https://www.sanofi.com/en/careers/students-and-graduates

Terumo Medical – Internship and Co-op Programs
        Work on cutting-edge medical technologies and healthcare solutions.
Website: https://www.terumomedical.com/careers

Caltech Summer Research Opportunities (SURF Program)
        Participate in research projects across STEM fields during a summer intensive program.
Website: https://www.surf.caltech.edu/

HHMI Summer Research Programs
        Conduct research in biomedical sciences through Howard Hughes Medical Institute initiatives.
Website: https://www.hhmi.org/science-education/programs

NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
        Work alongside top biomedical scientists at the National Institutes of Health.
Website: https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip

UCLA Public Health Scholars
        Join a cohort focused on public health research and community projects.
Website: https://www.uclaphscholars.org/

UCLA Undergraduate Research Programs (REU)
        Engage in funded summer research experiences in various scientific disciplines.
Website: https://www.ucla.edu/undergraduate-research

USC Health & Biomedical Research Internships
        Gain research experience in health sciences through university-led programs.
Website: https://keck.usc.edu/education/undergraduate-programs

California Department of Public Health – Volunteer Intern Program
        Participate in state public health programs as a volunteer intern.
Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPDE/Pages/VolunteerInternshipProgram.aspx

Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) – Internship Program
        Participate in global health access and policy programs.
Website: https://www.clintonhealthaccess.org/careers/internships/

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) – Internship Opportunities
        Contribute to international medical humanitarian efforts.
Website: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/careers/internships

Global Health Corps – Fellowship and Internship Opportunities
        Work on global health challenges with peer-to-peer leadership programs.
Website: https://globalhealthcorps.org/apply/

Orange County Health Care Agency – Research Internship
        Support public health initiatives through research and community engagement.
Website: https://www.ochealthinfo.com/careers-jobs/volunteer-services

PATH – Global Health Innovation Internships
        Engage in internships focused on global health technology and innovation.
Website: https://www.path.org/careers/internships/

United Nations Global Health Internship
        Join global health initiatives under the UN framework.
Website: https://careers.un.org/lbw/Home.aspx

World Health Organization (WHO) Internship Programme
        Work with WHO on global public health programs and policy.
Website: https://www.who.int/careers/internship-programme

General Management Consulting (MBB)

Bain & Company – Internship & Associate Programs
        Join one of the top consulting firms through internship and associate-level programs.
Website: https://www.bain.com/careers/

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) – Internship Opportunities
        Participate in consulting internships working on business challenges across industries.
Website: https://www.bcg.com/careers/students

McKinsey & Company – Internship Programs
        Gain experience in management consulting with a focus on strategy and operations.
Website: https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/students

Biomedical and Health-focused Consulting Firms

ClearView Healthcare Partners – Internships
        Work with healthcare clients to solve strategic business challenges.
Website: https://clearviewhcp.com/careers

LEK Consulting – Life Sciences & Healthcare Internships
        Intern in consulting roles focused on life sciences and healthcare sectors.
Website: https://www.lek.com/careers

Putnam Associates – Internships & Early Careers
        Join teams focused on pharmaceutical and biotech consulting.
Website: https://www.putassoc.com/careers

ZS Associates – Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Consulting Internships
        Gain consulting experience in pharma and healthcare analytics.
Website: https://www.zs.com/careers/university-recruiting

Volunteer Opportunities

At Soka University of America, students are committed to lives of service and advocacy. This dedication reflects the university’s values and mission to foster contributive global citizens and aligns closely with the AAMC Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students, including service orientation, cultural competence, and social responsibility.

Below is a curated list of volunteer opportunities that support academic growth and deepen commitment to equity, compassion, and human dignity in health-related work.

CHOC Children’s Hospital Volunteer
        Engage in volunteer roles supporting children’s healthcare services.
Website: https://choc.org/volunteer/

Hoag Hospital
        Participate in volunteer programs to support patient care and hospital services.
Website: https://www.hoag.org/education-resources/volunteer/

Mission Hospital Mission Viejo (Providence)
        Contribute as a volunteer in various hospital departments.
Website: https://www.providence.org/locations/socal/mission-hospital-mission-viejo/about-us/volunteers

Orange Coast Medical Center (MemorialCare)
        Volunteer to support hospital operations and patient care.
Website: https://www.memorialcare.org/locations/orange-coast-medical-center/volunteer-services

Saddleback Medical Center (MemorialCare)
        Volunteer in clinical and hospital support roles.
Website: https://www.memorialcare.org/employees-volunteers/volunteer-saddleback-medical-center

UCI Health Volunteer Services
        Support healthcare delivery through volunteer programs at UCI Health.
Website: https://www.ucihealth.org/volunteer

Clinic in the Park
        Volunteer to provide medical care and community support services.
Website: https://www.clinicinthepark.org/

ICNA Relief – Crescent Clinic (Fullerton)
        Volunteer in a clinic providing culturally competent healthcare services.
Website: https://icnarelief.org/crescentclinic/volunteers/

Lestonnac Free Clinic (Orange)
        Assist in volunteer roles providing free healthcare services.
Website: https://www.lestonnacfreeclinic.org/general-volunteer

Orange County Free Clinic
        Support free healthcare access for underserved populations.
Website: https://www.orangecountyfreeclinic.org/volunteer/

Share Our Selves (Costa Mesa)
        Participate in volunteering to support community health and social services.
Website: https://shareourselves.org/get-involved/

Radiant Health Centers
        Support health services targeted to LGBTQ+ and youth populations.
Website: https://www.radianthealthcenters.org/get-involved/volunteer

Companion Hospice
        Support patients and families through hospice volunteer opportunities.
Website: https://www.companionhealthgroup.com/volunteer/

Traditions Health
        Volunteer to provide compassionate care and support for patients and families.
Website: https://www.traditionshealth.com/about-us/volunteer/

VNA Hospice & Palliative Care of Southern California
        Contribute as a volunteer in hospice and palliative care services.
Website: https://vna.health/volunteering/

Age Well Senior Services
        Provide volunteer support for senior health and wellness programs.
Website: https://agewellseniorservices.org/volunteer/

Heritage Pointe
        Volunteer to assist seniors with activities and companionship.
Website: https://www.heritagepointe.org/contact-us/volunteer/

Orange County Office on Aging
        Participate in programs supporting older adults across the county.
Website: https://www.officeonaging.ocgov.com/opportunities/volunteer-opportunities

California Department of Public Health (Volunteer Intern Program)
        Engage in state-level public health volunteer internship programs.
Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPDE/Pages/VolunteerInternshipProgram.aspx

Orange County Health Care Agency
        Volunteer in various public health initiatives and research projects.
Website: https://www.ochealthinfo.com/careers-jobs/volunteer-services

CWS Orange County
        Volunteer in refugee assistance and advocacy initiatives.
Website: https://cwsglobal.org/our-impact/refugees/

Harm Reduction Institute (Santa Ana)
        (Currently not taking volunteers) Focus on harm reduction and health education.
Website: https://www.harmreductioninstitute.org/faqs

Orange County Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP)
        Volunteer to support harm reduction and community health services.
Website: https://ocnep.org/

Orange County Rescue Mission
        Volunteer to support homeless outreach and recovery programs.
Website: https://www.rescuemission.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Tiyya
        Work with immigrant and refugee communities through wellness and empowerment programs.
Website: https://www.tiyya.org/volunteer

Voice of Refugees
        Engage in health and social advocacy for refugee populations.
Website: https://www.voiceofrefugees.org/contact

World Relief SoCal (Orange County)
        Support refugee resettlement and health advocacy programs.
Website: https://worldrelief.org/socal/