District software upgrade giving students real-world experience
Student interns helping to launch OneSource
Students from two HISD high schools are getting a hands-on and up-close look at one of the largest software upgrades in the district’s history. During the past four months, nearly a dozen juniors and seniors from Sam Houston and Scarborough high schools have been working side by side with members of Team HISD on the OneSource implementation project. OneSource is the name of a new districtwide system launching in July 2016 that will provide a seamless integration between human resources, payroll, finance, and logistics at HISD.
“OneSource will be using a software solution called SAP, which is used by companies all over the world to manage their business and HR operations,” said Information Technology Manager Tony Buehler. “The students working on this project are getting real-world experience and will have a real jump-start into the SAP field.”
Buehler had the original idea for the student internship program and reached out to the district’s Career Readiness Department to recruit students and schools. Members of his team initially were a little skeptical about what the students could contribute, but the team has been so impressed that they have invited the students back this summer to work several “paid” positions. Since January, the interns have been getting hands-on work experience related to coding, program testing, change management, procurement, and human resources.
“To think I created a program and a report that will be used across HISD is pretty cool,” said Gage Duchamp, a senior from Scarborough High School who plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Houston this fall. “I feel like I am more prepared for college and the real world. This internship has really taught me a lot about time management and working collaboratively.”
Fellow intern Ruby Rapolo from Sam Houston High School agrees. The senior wants to study business management in college and says the internship has exposed her to many different careers that she didn’t even know were an option.
“I’ve gotten a chance to work with people from so many departments and see how everyone has a part to play in this project,” Rapola said . “It’s like a big puzzle, and everyone has to do their part to make it all work together. It’s pretty exciting. I can’t wait for July to see how it all turns out.”
