Career Pathways Initiative Prepares Local Students For Workforce

Right now some 14-hundred students are getting a jump on medical careers here in the valley. It’s part of a program launched at several valley schools by the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership.

Paul Hulbert and Martha Orozco are both products of the Palm Springs High School Health Academy which comes under the umbrella of the Economic Partnership’s Career Pathways Initiative.

They’ve been spending their senior year interning at Desert Regional Medical Center. They’re responsible for getting sterile instruments to doctors and nurses. And to their surprise, they were recently hired by the hospital.

“I was just shocked in disbelief,” said Hulbert. “Just crazy how like from just interning somewhere and could be like your future career.” When told she must have made a good impression during her internship to be put on the payroll, Orozco added. “Yes, I think I just do what they tell me to.”

The Palm Springs High Health Academy is one of five currently at area schools. The Career Pathways Initiative also gives students real world experience for careers in media and green technology.