The Houston Independent School District recently welcomed interns to participate in the 2019 Summer Student Leadership Program, a six-week paid summer internship and leadership development program for HISD high school students and alumni currently enrolled in college.  

In just the first week, the interns have been fully submerged in their respective departments for a true hands-on experience, and, over the next five weeks, interns will gain valuable employment experience and can test-drive numerous career pathways before choosing a college major or entering the workforce.  

To commemorate the end of a successful first week, interns, along with their supervisors, attended the first of six professionalism workshops and were treated to an ice cream social where they discussed what they learned during their short time with HISD.  

“Every student intern with whom I interacted was beaming about all they had learned,” said William Solomon, senior manager of Innovation & Postsecondary Programming. “This program is a first job for many of our students, and they’ve hit the ground running this week.” 

In just its second year, the Summer Student Leadership Program has expanded from 23 students to 65 students. Student interns will work Monday through Thursday and are encouraged to work 30 hours per week. The internship will run from June 3 through July 11 and will culminate in a final presentation about their internship at the end of the program. 

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to work for HISD and gain valuable experience from seasoned professionals,” said Communications Intern Alexandra Venegas, graduate student at Texas A&M University. “In the short time that I have been here, I already feel like I am part of the team, not only as an intern but as a valuable peer.”