Pathways to Health:
Paid Career Program
Learn. Earn. Launch your future in healthcare.
Step into the healthcare industry with this hands-on, earn-and-learn career exploration program designed for 11th and 12th grade high school students.
Over four immersive days, you’ll gain real-world skills, connect with healthcare industry professionals, and tackle an authentic nuclear medicine challenge – all while getting paid for your participation.
We are seeking young adults who are interested in a career in health, but no prior experience is necessary.
Program at-a-glance
For 11th and 12th graders in the Bay Area's Contra Costa County
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 through Friday, March 27 from 4-6 p.m. and Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Community Youth Center (CYC) at 2241 Galaxy Ct, Concord, California, 94520 and Kaiser School of Allied Health Sciences at 938 Marina Way South, Richmond, CA, 94804 (bus transportation will be provided from the CYC to Kaiser)
Application deadline: January 28, 2026
Cost: Free – in fact, you’ll get paid up to a $400 stipend to participate!
Explore high-wage jobs in healthcare
Are you interested in exploring career pathways in healthcare? Then this Pathways to Health: Paid Career Program might be for you!
The four-day career development program is diving into nuclear medicine: a special type of medical imaging that helps doctors see what’s happening inside the body in real-time.
Not only is nuclear medicine a great career path for people interested in science, healthcare, and helping others – it provides a pathway to entry-level, high-wage jobs in healthcare, including roles like Nuclear Medicine Technologist and Radiation Therapist.
In the Bay Area, the starting wages for these roles are over $70 an hour and typically require completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree and a specialized certification.
Application now open!
Application deadline: January 28, 2026
Why should I join this paid career program?
Explore your future career in healthcare
Build your professional skills
Solve real-world challenges
Grow your network and make connections
Get paid to gain work experience
Get clear on your next career steps
Am I eligible to join?
Making Waves’ Pathways to Health: Paid Career Program is designed for young adults who are:
- 11th or 12th graders in high school; must be 16 years old as of October 1, 2025
- Attending high school or living in the Bay Area’s Contra Costa County
- Curious about healthcare career options
- Wanting to develop professional skills and gain hands-on learning experiences
- 100% able to fully commit to participating in all program sessions from March 25-28, 2026
- Qualify as low-income based on any of the following criteria:
- My family qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals.
- My family participates in a public assistance program (e.g., SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid).
- My family’s household income is below the federal or state low-income threshold.
- I live in a neighborhood/zip code designated as a low-income area.
What can I expect during the paid fellowship?
The Making Waves Pathways to Health: Paid Career Program is a learning experience designed for young adults who are eager to explore career pathways in healthcare.
Fellows will gain real-world experience, work on a healthcare industry challenge, and develop essential career-readiness skills through hands-on learning, mentorship, and collaboration.
This is a four-day immersive experience focused on nuclear medicine – a special type of medical imaging that helps doctors see what’s happening inside the body in real-time. This program is an excellent fit for young adults who are curious about healthcare career opportunities, open to learning new skills, and eager to gain exposure to industries, like nuclear medicine, that offer pathways to high-wage jobs.
As a part of the Making Waves Pathways to Health: Paid Career Program, you will be part of a cohort of motivated young professionals-in-the-making, working alongside peers and industry experts to tackle real-world challenges, develop problem-solving skills, and expand your network.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 4-6 p.m.
Community Youth Center at 2241 Galaxy Court Concord, CA, 94520
Community-building
Career and professional skills reflection
After school snacks provided
Thursday, March 26, 2026 4-6 p.m.
Community Youth Center at 2241 Galaxy Court Concord, CA, 94520
Building professional durable skills in the healthcare context
After school snacks provided
Friday, March 27, 2026 4-6 p.m.
Community Youth Center at 2241 Galaxy Court Concord, CA, 94520
Nuclear medicine foundations
After school snacks provided
Saturday, March 28, 2026 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Kaiser School of Allied Health Sciences at 938 Marina Way South, Richmond, CA, 94804
Hands-on skill stations (including blood pressure, phlebotomy, nuclear imaging device, EKG, patient transport, and more!)
Professional panel, real world case studies, and culminating career reflection
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided
Day 1: Month, day, year
Community-building, career and professional skills reflection
Location: Concord Community Youth Center (2241 Galaxy Court Concord, CA 94520)
Day 2: Month, day, year
Professional skill simulation in healthcare context
Location: Concord Community Youth Center (2241 Galaxy Court Concord, CA 94520)
Day 3: Month, day, year
Nuclear medicine foundations
Location: Concord Community Youth Center (2241 Galaxy Court Concord, CA 94520)
Day 4: Month, day, year
Hands-on health skill stations, patient case study, professional panel, and culminating career reflection
Location: Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences (938 Marina Way S, Richmond, California, 94804) - Bus transportation will be provided from the Concord Community Youth Center
Application now open!
Application deadline: January 28, 2026
How do I apply for Pathways to Health?
1. Answer a few questions about your background and career interests
2. Submit two short-answer responses about your motivation for joining this Pathways to Healthcare program
- In 250-300 words, tell us why you are interested in this program. What excites you about it? How do you think Making Waves program can help you reach your career goals?
- In 250-300 words, describe a time when you solved a problem. How did you identify the problem? What steps did you take to fix it? Did it work? What did you learn in the process? (This can be something from school, work, or your personal life – it doesn’t have to be healthcare related.)
- If selected, you’ll receive a confirmation email with next steps.
- Students under 18 years old will need a parent/guardian consent form to participate.
Featured video
Hear from students and get a feel for Making Waves’ Pathways to Health: Paid Career Program through this video feature from a recent Hands-On Health: Paid Career Fellowship program opportunity.
Application now open!
Application deadline: January 28, 2026
FAQs
Is this Pathways to Health: Paid Career Program program really free?
Yes! Not only that, you will get paid a $400 stipend for fully participating. Snacks are provided for days 1-3 and breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on day 4.
Will I receive a certificate for participating?
Yes. All participants who complete the Making Waves Pathways to Health: Paid Career Program will receive a Certificate of Completion that can be added to your resume and college applications.
What cities and towns are located in the Bay Area's Contra Costa County?
How do I know if my family qualifies as low-income?
To help us ensure equitable access to this program, in the application we will ask you to please indicate whether your family qualifies as low-income based on any of the following criteria. (Your response will be kept confidential and used only to determine program eligibility.)
- My family qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals.
- My family participates in a public assistance program (e.g., SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid).
- My family’s household income is below the federal or state low-income threshold.
- I live in a neighborhood/zip code designated as a low-income area.
- Prefer not to answer.
What is nuclear medicine all about?
Nuclear medicine is a special type of medical imaging that helps doctors see what’s happening inside the body in real-time. Instead of just taking pictures like an X-ray or MRI, nuclear medicine uses tiny amounts of radioactive materials (called radiopharmaceuticals) to show how organs and tissues are working. Nuclear medicine is used for diagnosing diseases like cancer, heart conditions, and brain disorders, and it can even help treat certain illnesses.
The field combines technology, chemistry, and patient care, making it a great career path for people interested in science, healthcare, and helping others.
What kind of jobs can I get in nuclear medicine?
Nuclear medicine provides a pathway to entry-level, high-wage jobs in healthcare, including roles like Nuclear Medicine Technologist and Radiation Therapist.
In the Bay Area, the starting wages for these roles are over $70 an hour and typically require completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree and a specialized certification.
How will I receive payment for participating in the HealthX Fellowship: Paid Career Pathway program?
What if I have transportation challenges? Do you offer funding for transportation?
We offer prepaid transportation cards or reimbursement options to support participants who need assistance getting to the program.
For the final day of the program, we will offer bus transport from the Concord Community Youth Center to and from the Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences in Richmond, California.
What if I have additional questions?
Reach out to our Vice President of Career Launch, Daisy Han, at dhan@making-waves.org with any questions.
Application now open!
Application deadline: January 28, 2026
Thank you to our community partners and funders
Making Waves is offering Pathways to Health: Paid Career Program as a paid work-based learning opportunity for students thanks to the generous support of philanthropic funders and donors and community partners, including the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County, Payette River Foundation, Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences, Community Youth Center, and Earn and Learn.
Thank you to our partners!
The Pathways to Health: Paid Career Program is proudly sponsored by the Making Waves Education Foundation and the Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences.
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