SAN ANTONIO \u2013 San Antonio students are gaining real world experience before graduation \u2014 and getting paid, too.<\/p>\n
Employers such as Port San Antonio are offering hands-on internships to high school and college students, giving them a competitive edge in the workforce while helping the city attract and retain top talent.<\/p>\n
Students discovering career paths early<\/p>\n
Jake McDonald, a senior at John F. Kennedy High School, spent his summer working eight-hour days as a paid intern at Port San Antonio. <\/p>\n
He said the experience changed his outlook.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the tours we\u2019ve been on, it really opened my eyes to all the different things out there,\u201d McDonald said. \u201cAnd this specifically solidified my place in information technology.\u201d <\/p>\n
The internship also helped McDonald grow beyond technical skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think I would be able to talk to you like this if it wasn\u2019t for this internship,\u201d McDonald said. \u201cI definitely broke out of my shell.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked what he would tell other students his age thinking about an internship, McDonald didn\u2019t hesitate.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake the chance. Definitely, take the chance,\u201d he said. \u201cDo not pass up on any opportunities.\u201d <\/p>\n
greater:SATX connects students across industries<\/p>\n
This summer, greater:SATX \u2014 the region\u2019s economic development organization \u2014 helped connect more than 150 students with internships<\/a> spanning healthcare, finance, manufacturing and other industries.<\/p>\n Joshua Scott, senior vice president of talent and workforce at greater:SATX, said these young professionals represent the region\u2019s economic future.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we talk about companies coming to San Antonio, that job creation piece \u2014 this is the future talent that\u2019s going to be getting into these jobs,\u201d Scott said.<\/p>\n Port San Antonio Business Development Specialist Stephanie Garcia said these opportunities were built with local students in mind.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want these kids to know that these jobs are here right in their backyard,\u201d Garcia said. \u201cThese jobs are for them, and we want them to know they deserve them.\u201d<\/p>\n Port San Antonio and greater:SATX said their internship programs serve a dual purpose: attracting new companies to the region and keeping homegrown talent in San Antonio post-graduation.<\/p>\n