Orange County high school students recently gathered at the Orange County Department of Education for the OC Pathways Student Leadership Summit. The July 30 event aimed to foster future leadership and career exploration for nearly 100 students, including OC Pathways Student Ambassadors and scholars from other Pathways-affiliated programs like California Chief Science Officers. Representing all 15 career sectors, students focused on building career readiness skills, connecting with industry professionals, and discovering innovative ways to maximize their impact.
Dennis Cole, Chief of Staff for the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), delivered opening remarks. He emphasized that leadership involves “listening to the people around you,” understanding needs, and responding with compassion. Cole encouraged students to incorporate this collaborative spirit, noting that listening leads to stronger leaders and better decisions.
The summit featured an innovators’ panel with professionals from leading STEM fields. Panelists included Andy Chen (Joby Aviation), Linh Le (Blue Origin), Michael Arens (Clean Earth Rovers), and Dr. Disha Sordana (NASA’s Open Science initiatives). They shared career paths into developing electric aircraft, space technologies, environmental solutions, and artificial intelligence for space exploration, discussing setbacks and resilience required to turn challenges into opportunities.
Students also heard from six former OC Pathways student ambassadors, now attending colleges like Chapman University and the University of San Diego. These alumni offered advice on how the program shaped their academic and career journeys, encouraging current participants to embrace leadership roles. Mishaal Mahmood, a former ambassador, highlighted that mentorship includes building relationships with those who share passions, as such connections can lead to support and opportunities.
Throughout the day, students participated in interactive experiences focusing on personal branding, design thinking, entrepreneurial problem-solving, and various leadership styles. They formed ambassador teams and were introduced to the new OC Pathways Impact Project. Through this initiative, students will spend the coming year developing innovative solutions for needs identified within their local communities.
Crystal Meyer, OCDE coordinator of Career Education and Workforce Development, articulated the program’s goal to empower students and provide them with agency. Meyer stated the program offers a platform for students to serve as leaders and be the voices of their pathways. She highlighted industry partners who connect with and mentor students, aiming to inspire them toward future careers.
