(COLORADO SPRINGS)– 56 high school students from Southern Colorado were recognized for completing internships with 22 local businesses in the Pikes Peak region.
“I would not have done anything differently,” said Jeffery Togerson, an intern at Ingeris.
Students spent their summers gaining valuable work experience instead of relaxing by the pool, completing 60-hour internships that taught them communication skills and workplace etiquette.
“We want to get that exposure in roles that like these students will likely never see,” said Samantha Baumgartner, an employee with Microchip Technology.
“I feel like my skills got a lot better. Sending professional emails about scheduling questions or stuff like that,” said Sophia Melpakam, intern at Microchip.
The internships were facilitated by the Pikes Peak Business and Education Alliance, which aims to prepare the next generation of workers by providing early exposure to various fields. Students had the opportunity to explore careers in business, cybersecurity, and engineering, among others.
Togerson, who is entering his senior year at Doherty High School in Colorado Springs, found an internship that combined his passions for math and physics. Melpakam gained experience in manufacturing that she believes she wouldn’t have received from college alone.
Program organizers encourage students to try different fields, even if they realize a particular area might not be for them.
“Even though I didn’t love my first internship, it was just a really amazing experience,” said Melpakam.
Businesses also benefited from the program, by learning how to adapt their practices to better fit future employees.
“This is the next generation of our workforce,” said Baumgartner.
The internships provided by the Pikes Peak Business and Education Alliance offer students a head start on their careers, allowing them to gain professional skills and explore potential career paths.
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