Empowering Next Generation Innovators

At The Sophia Consulting Firm, we believe that innovation must be accessible, actionable, and future-focused. Our Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Program is designed to equip emerging leaders—ages 16–24—with the skills, experience, and mentorship they need to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.

We proudly support:

• High school students, recent graduates, and young adults (ages 16–24)
   
• Individuals from underrepresented or underserved communities
   
• Emerging leaders seeking hands-on experience in digital strategy, branding, and communications
   

This program is ideal for those interested in science, entrepreneurship, or creative industries who want to bridge their passion with practical digital tools.

Our unique workforce development  program is designed with scalability and sustainability in mind, operating at multiple levels of influence:

• Local: Piloting in Orange County, California, with direct engagement from students, schools, and families
   
• Regional: Expanding reach through partnerships with Southern California innovation hubs and accelerators
   
• National: Aligning with U.S. workforce development priorities through integration with NIH SBIR goals and Department of Education collaboration
   
• Global: Preparing apprentices for success in a borderless, tech-driven world where digital fluency is foundational to innovation
   

We take a holistic, purpose-driven approach rooted in the Amplifying Scientific Innovation® framework:

• Hands-on project-based learning via podcasting, content creation, SEO, analytics, and brand storytelling
   
• Mentorship from industry leaders and educators in life sciences, tech, and communication
   
• Professional development modules focused on leadership, ethics, and personal branding
   
• Integration of the Innovation Leadership Toolkit, empowering apprentices to turn insight into measurable impact
   

This program is made possible by trusted collaborations that reflect our commitment to credibility, community, and capacity-building:

• Orange County Department of Education – Supporting equitable access to real-world learning opportunities
   
• University Lab Partners – Providing a platform for apprentices to learn at the intersection of science and entrepreneurship
   
• The Sophia Consulting Firm’s Innovation Network – Tapping into cross-sector relationships across academia, biotech, public health, and AI
   

We are also cultivating relationships with local employers, universities, and nonprofit partners to ensure ongoing opportunities for growth, placement, and mentorship.
 

Our one-year Digital Marketing Apprenticeship is structured around four progressive phases designed to build confidence, creativity, and professional fluency:

• Quarter 1 – Foundation & Brand Immersion: Learn the tools, values, and voice behind The Sophia Consulting Firm and Amplifying Scientific Innovation®.
   
• Quarter 2 – Content Creation & Campaign Execution: Create and publish branded visuals, social posts, and podcast promotional assets.
   
• Quarter 3 – Analytics & Optimization: Track engagement, test strategies, and translate metrics into action.
   
• Quarter 4 – Thought Leadership & Capstone: Contribute to storytelling campaigns and develop a professional portfolio of published work.
   

Apprentices will receive direct mentorship, access to real-world projects, and the opportunity to shape the digital presence of a global innovation brand.

• Digital portfolio featuring published content, campaign analytics, and copywriting samples
   
• Professional exposure to innovation branding, science communication, and executive mentorship
   
• Real-world skills in strategy, content development, community engagement, and digital reporting
   
• Enhanced career readiness for roles in marketing, communications, tech, or public health

To apply for this role, please submit an application here!

Overview

Our next apprenticeship initiative is in development and focused advancing access to knowledge, infrastructure, and opportunities in STEM. We're building a pathway to provide real-world exposure to oncology research for youth aged 16–24—starting with a pilot this summer.

The Cancer Research Apprenticeship Program is a developing initiative that aims to open doors for underrepresented youth—especially Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and first-generation students—who have historically been excluded from biomedical research careers.

Inspired by Dr. Sophia Ononye’s formative experience as an NSF-REU cancer research intern, this new program builds on the success of our Digital Marketing Apprenticeship to offer immersive training in oncology research, scientific communication, and data interpretation.

Our immediate goal: launch a local pilot in Summer 2025, with plans to scale nationally.

• Underrepresentation in cancer research persists across every level of STEM education.
   
• Many students lack access to meaningful internships that offer lab experience and mentorship.
   
• Early exposure can redefine futures—and reshape who gets to lead in science.
   

We believe the future of cancer research must be diverse, inclusive, and community-rooted.

This hybrid program is currently being developed in collaboration with academic, clinical, and community stakeholders.

Working Model:

• Audience: Youth ages 16–24 (high school juniors/seniors, college undergrads)
   
• Duration: 8 weeks
   
• Start: June 2025 pilot cohort (tentative)
   
• Format: In-person lab exposure + virtual expert-led workshops
   

Planned Modules:

• Introduction to Cancer Biology
  Foundational knowledge of cancer mechanisms, types, and key research questions.
   
• Research Methods & Ethics
  Covers study design, hypothesis development, ethical research conduct, and IRB principles.
   
• Data Analysis & Visualization
  Hands-on training in interpreting data from cancer studies using Excel, R, or Python.
   
• Value-Based Healthcare & Patient Advocacy
  Introduces healthcare equity frameworks, patient-centered care, and policy touchpoints.
   
• Clinical Trials & Research Equity 🌍
  Focuses on clinical trial design, diversity gaps, community engagement, and innovative solutions.
   
• Scientific Communication & Grant Writing
  Builds students’ ability to write abstracts, present findings, and seek funding.
   
• Career Pathways & AI in Biomedical Science
  Closes the program with a look into real-world careers and AI’s role in oncology R&D.
   

Capstone Project:
Participants will create a final research project—poster, article, or explainer video—and receive a signed certificate of completion.

We are actively engaging partners to shape this program:

• Academic: University Lab Partners (confirmed), UCI, Concordia University Irvine
   
• Clinical & Innovation: City of Hope, Hoag, CHOC, Larta Institute
   
• Community: Orange County Department of Education, Irvine Chamber of Commerce
   
• National Outreach: NIH/NCI, AACR, ASCO, NSF, BioCom
  
  

Our funding strategy includes:

• Local Support: City grants, WIOA youth allocations, hospital foundations, corporate sponsors
   
• Federal Grants: NIH SEPA (R25), NCI YES, NSF RET/ITEST, DOD/CDMRP
   
• In-Kind Contributions: Lab space, technology platforms, travel stipends, subject matter experts
   

We welcome inquiries from organizations committed to STEM workforce development and translational science.

Here’s our working timeline for the 2025-26 pilot:

• ✅ June-July: Finalize local partners and confirm pilot structure
   
• ✅  August–September: Orientation and onboarding
   
• 🧬 October–December: Program delivery
   
• 📣 January- Capstone presentations and community showcase
   
• 🔁 February: Debrief + roadmap for national scale-up
   

This is just the beginning. We are co-creating this program with the community, and we welcome support—from educators, researchers, funders, and mentors alike.

If you believe in accessible cancer research careers, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 [Contact Dr. Sophia Ononye at sophia@sophiaconsultingfirm.com to learn more]