Crash Course in Prep for the Future: Mini Mentoring, Mock Interviews & Career Panel
- Girls Inc. of Alameda County
- Mar 5
- 2 min read
Mini Mentoring
To prepare for summer internship placements, our 9th and 10th-graders participated in Mini Mentoring, one-on-one sessions with professional women in fields from real estate to cosmetics to law and architecture. These intimate conversations provided an inviting space where youth and their mentors could get candid about education, career trajectories, and valuable life lessons.
Mock Interviews
Also in preparation for upcoming internship placements, Mock Interviews gave 9th and 10th graders the chance to practice their interview skills in a supportive environment. From firm handshakes to answering tough questions with poise, students participated in multiple rounds of interviews and received constructive feedback from professionals. Hear from 9th grader, Noor, about her experience.
Career Panel
Our high schoolers had the unique opportunity to hear from a panel of accomplished women in STEM, law, and medicine, including:
Melanie Buziak – Mechanical Engineer, ERG Aerospace
Anya Ku – Neighborhood Law Corps Attorney, Oakland City Attorney’s Office
Dr. Jennifer A. Miller – Pediatrician, East Bay Pediatrics
Esther Chang – Trial Litigator, The Norton Law Firm
Dr. Ursula Boynton – Chief Medical Executive, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
After sharing their career journeys, challenges, and triumphs, the panelists opened the floor to students for an engaging Q&A session.
The incredible women across these experiences didn’t just highlight their successes—they shared the obstacles they overcame, from self-doubt to workplace bias and balancing career with personal life. These honest conversations provided students with a clearer, more authentic view of what it takes to succeed.
For many, this was their first real exposure to these fields. Learning about different career paths helps demystify complex professions by providing actionable ways to achieving goals. Through mentorship, practice, and real-world insights, our students are now better equipped to take the next steps toward their futures.
Huge thanks to our dedicated volunteers for making this possible and to our girls for showing up with curiosity and determination!
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