THE SCHOOL THAT WORKS

Cristo Rey Orange County High School students and President Steve Holte in the Corporate Work Study Program room.

The Corporate Work Study program is a separately incorporated entity within Cristo Rey Orange County High School that places every student in a professional job five days a month, all four years of high school. Cristo Rey students are employees of Corporate Work Study, not of your company. Corporate Partners pay a competitive, annual service fee to the program for the students' college preparatory education.

How it Works

Student associates bring high value now, integrating with your staff and performing entry-level skilled tasks. These associates contribute to your workplace needs while gaining early access to professional networks and developing newfound awareness to pursue and excel in careers or industries they may not have otherwise considered.

City of Hope and Cristo Rey Advertisement

Corporate Work Study Brochure

Work Tasks Performed by Students

Accounting

▪ AR/AP: manage tasks to complete accounts payable process; complete invoice deductions research and processing; conduct collections communications; enter and validate data; process cash receipt and collections

▪ Tax Support: Reconcile and analyze tax charges, prepare defense, contact State Department of Revenue and resolve issues. Package necessary data and reports for State and IRS Audit requirements

▪ Credit Process: Process credit applications; research prospective customers to determine credit worthiness, check references, track status and report results

▪ Enter data in vendor management system

▪ Audit notary records, update and maintain files

Customer Service

▪ Social Media responses and/or Social Media queue maintenance
(managing lesser escalated and no-reply messaging)

▪ Support with event planning and coordinate calendar meetings (team meetings, one-on-one’s, team activators)

▪ Analyze customer service reviews, and propose ways to optimize customer experience

▪ Processing orders, forms, applications, and requests

Human Resources

Legal

▪ Contract Management: Contract Execution Tracking; Contract Inventory and Compliance; Client Agreement Review; Bankruptcy contracts

▪ Case Management: status updates; Litigation File/Subpoenas; Manage highly confidential documentation

▪ Special Projects: Record Audit/Retention Project: Paralegal level responsibilities; Translation: Work with an investigator to translate information to and from client in relation to client’s case.

▪ Review case documents and complete steps to update case file status

▪ Maintain master customer contract database and related stipulations

▪ Support for web research and data analysis projects

▪ Assemble and organize files

Marketing and Communications

▪ Online Marketing: Build weekly and monthly client media calendar; curate content for media channels; review client media presence; utilize client monitoring applications

▪ Consumer Research: Review customer feedback; create sentiment reports. Assist with Live twitter session; research consumer habits; research clients’ competitors

▪ Content Development: Review submissions of employee stories for advertising campaign; edit corporate videos; product brochure revisions ▪ Prepare customer mailings and brochures, update sponsors on marketing data

▪ Product management – use and test vendor samples

▪ Support internal &/or external website development

▪ Prepare sales and promotional materials

▪ Database maintenance and e-filing

▪ Organize and manage print and digital file systems

▪ Build working relationships with co-workers, customers and vendors

Sales

Technology

▪ Technology Configuration: Laptop imaging; updating computers; updating master image folders; and remote testing for employees and consultants

▪ System Testing: Business system analyst; project management

▪ Hardware Management: Hardware set up; on-site support; perform checks on hardware; hardware swap; inventory management

▪ Inventory and license tracking

▪ Provide adaptive and responsive service to customers

▪ Assist colleagues with database and company software projects

Corporate Work Study Events

As a Corporate Work Study partner, we want to feature you and celebrate the impact you're making in our students' lives!

CEO Breakfast
Draft Day

CEO Breakfast

President Steve Holte and General Manager Paul Cook of Irvine Ranch Water District with Student Eric

60 Orange County Executives Explore the Future of Work and Education at Cristo Rey Orange County High School's Inaugural CEO Breakfast

NEWPORT BEACH, CA (February 13, 2025) – 60 Orange County business and education leaders gathered at The Pacific Club for Cristo Rey Orange County High School's inaugural CEO Breakfast, where industry executives shared insights on the event’s topic: The Future of Work and Education in Orange County.

Sponsored by Irvine Ranch Water District, the executive panel was moderated by Ian Williamson, Dean of UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business. Panelists included Paul Cook, General Manager of Irvine Ranch Water District; Oscar Gonzalez, President of Northgate Markets; and Annette Morgan, Chief Operating Officer of City of Hope Orange County—all founding corporate partners of Cristo Rey’s Corporate Work Study program.

The panel engaged in a dynamic discussion exploring artificial intelligence's impact on the future workforce, the critical importance of developing students' soft skills, and the proven success of Cristo Rey's Corporate Work Study Program in Orange County. These industry leaders, representing key sectors of the region's economy, emphasized the transformative value of early workplace exposure for students.

Williamson of the Paul Merage School of Business captured the essence of workforce development, emphasizing the power of exposure: "It really boils down to awareness, access, and ambition. People can only pursue opportunities of which they are aware. Even if a person is aware of an opportunity, it's very difficult for them to try something they've never seen. It's almost superhuman. So, access to people who have been successful changes a person’s perspective as to what they can achieve. It raises the ambition for what is possible in their life."

The breakfast highlighted Cristo Rey's national model in which students work in professional settings five days per month throughout their four years of high school. This unique program enables students to earn a portion of their education costs while gaining real-world experience in corporate environments.

“In healthcare, we talk about the social determinants of health—the factors that make a difference in your own health – and one of those is education,” said panelist Morgan of City of Hope Orange County. “At a macro level, if we’re furthering education, if we’re getting students more engaged earlier, we’re helping create healthier communities. The more education you have, the greater access to better jobs, higher income, and more resources for healthcare. It really creates this full circle and closes the loop. We’re not going to see it today, but we will hopefully see healthier generations for the future.”

Panelists highlighted how Cristo Rey's innovative model bridges the gap between education and industry, preparing students for tomorrow's workplace while delivering value to local businesses today.

“The impact on corporate environments is reciprocal,” said Gonzalez of Northgate Markets who also serves as the Vice Chair of the Cristo Rey Board. “Executives have the opportunity to interact with students every day and see them grow in confidence and professionalism. I’m so excited and frankly so committed to help the community in any way I can.”

Cook of Irvine Ranch Water District emphasized the program's impact on both students and participating businesses: "I remember when we welcomed Cristo Rey students to the office. Our Human Resources Department went a little overboard with donuts and balloons, but it was really welcoming, and it was good for the organization, too. Giving staff that has not had the responsibility of supervising a chance to supervise a student is rewarding and helps the organization.”

The transformative impact of Cristo Rey's Corporate Work Study program came to life through sophomore Ashley's compelling testimony about her program placement at Latham & Watkins, as she took to the podium to talk to the room full of C-suite executives. Initially unfamiliar with the legal field, Ashley's experience has ignited a clear career vision. "I’ve been given the privilege of working with my mentors who have given me the best advice and guidance, and I’ve also been able to contribute to help the team,” she shared. Concluding: “After graduating, I am confident I will get hired by Latham and Watkins because I know they value my hard work, honesty, and dedication.”

In preparation for Cristo Rey’s third school year, its transformative Corporate Work Study program – currently partnering with 43 leading Orange County businesses—seeks to welcome 30 additional corporate partners to support its expanding student body and continue building pathways to professional success.

Draft Day

A celebration of the students of Cristo Rey Orange County High School and the top Orange County companies investing in their futures. Orange County's newest Catholic high school, Cristo Rey, brings a proven national model that empowers dedicated young people with limited economic resources to develop into diverse leaders of tomorrow. The Corporate Work Study program provides students with hands-on professional experience and mentorships as they prepare for college and career success!

This unique MLB-style draft where Orange County's top organizations and work study partners "draft" students onto their teams. Our extraordinary students meet all corporate partners that are investing in their future. Cristo Rey is "The School That Works".

As part of Draft Day students join their companies for lunch following the draft to get reaquainted or to get to know their company for the first time.