Genesys Works: Cultivating Talent Through High School Internships
In today's competitive business environment, a skilled workforce is crucial. High school internships are emerging as a strategic method to improve workforce readiness among young individuals and provide businesses with early access to talented, enthusiastic individuals, compared to traditional college internship programs. Genesys Works stands out as a leader in this field, providing pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities.
The Importance of High School Internships
For students, especially those from under-resourced communities, high school internships are vital stepping stones into the professional world, representing their initial exposure to a formal business setting. These opportunities enable students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world situations, acquiring essential skills and insights for their future careers.
From a business perspective, these internships serve as a route to identify and nurture potential future employees. They address short-term resource needs while also evaluating and shaping young talent for future roles. A talent pipeline, in essence, is a pool of candidates prepared to fill key roles within an organization as they become available, which is paramount for ensuring business continuity and competitive advantage.
Genesys Works: A Model for Talent Development
Genesys Works provides pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities. The program consists of 8 weeks of technical and professional skills training, paid year-long corporate internships, college and career coaching, and long-term alumni support-all designed to move individuals out of economic inequality and into professional careers.
Founded in 2002, Genesys Works now serves thousands of students annually in Houston, Chicago, Jacksonville, Minneapolis/St. Paul, the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington’s National Capital Region, New York City, and Tulsa.
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Summer Training Program
As summer approaches, Genesys Works launches its annual summer training program. The eight-week program, running from June to August, focuses on developing both technical and professional skills. Participants gain hands-on experience with business technology while developing essential soft skills, including communication, teamwork, and professionalism.
The eight-week Summer Training is a comprehensive, immersive experience designed to bridge the gap between high school education and professional success. From the first day, students dive into a curriculum that covers a wide array of critical topics. Technical skills such as IT fundamentals, Microsoft Office Suite proficiency, and business communications form the backbone of their learning. The training also emphasizes professional skills like networking, resume building, and interview techniques.
By the end of the eight weeks, students walk away with a newfound sense of self-assurance and purpose. They have not only gained technical prowess but also the soft skills that are often the key differentiators in the workplace. They learn to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and tackle challenges with resilience.
To kick off the Summer Training Program, interns participate in a dynamic and engaging team-building event entitled Team-Up!. This event encourages participants to collaborate to tackle challenges, solve puzzles, and complete interactive games-strengthening communication, trust, and teamwork along the way. Throughout the training, students participate in immersive sessions that mirror real-world workplace challenges. Sessions include mock interviews with corporate volunteers, professional presentations, time management workshops, and engagement in mock exercises designed to strengthen communication, critical thinking, and confidence.
Corporate Partnerships
Genesys Works earns a significant portion of its funding through internship fees from its corporate partners, with the rest funded by philanthropic sources. Philanthropic funding directly supports the organization’s expansion to new sites and outreach to more students.
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The organization works with schools in under-served communities that appoint a “school champion” to identify students who would benefit. School champions may be teachers, counselors, or administrative support staff. Before the internship, students complete an 8-week intensive program to build skills in office communication, technology, and interviewing for jobs. Throughout the internship, students attend high school in the morning and work at their internship in the afternoon, completing work that contributes directly to the success of their host company. Working a total of 15-20 hours a week, students earn at least $11,000 a year from their internships.
For the companies that open their doors to Genesys Works interns, the benefits are equally profound. Hiring a Genesys Works intern is not just an act of corporate social responsibility; it is an investment in the future workforce.
Success Stories and Impact
One intern who exemplifies Genesys Works’ long-term impact is Sameen Hanan, who graduated from Virginia Tech and has been hired by PwC as a cyber security consultant. A first-generation college student, Sameen had limited access to career guidance and decided to enroll in Genesys Works.
Another intern, Jacob Richter, was unsure of his future while in high school. His trajectory changed when he applied to Genesys Works, where he earned an internship at 3M. He handled various projects, including a SharePoint migration for 10,000 employees. While attending the University of Minnesota, he earned an internship at Medtronic and then interned at the United States Senate in the office of Senator Amy Klobuchar. Jacob now plans to attend law school.
Ninety percent of Genesys Works participants enroll in college, and seven years after high school, alumni earn a median annual income of $70,000 and are three times more likely than their peers to have a bachelor’s degree. Seventy-five percent of alumni outearn at least one parent.
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93% of Genesys Works students from the class of 2022 enrolled in college, nearly double the percentage (49%) of low-income students who enroll in college nationally. The median earnings of alumni seven years out of the program is $60,000. 99% of alumni felt their high school internship was valuable, and 77% felt that their Genesys Works experience helped them to get their current job.
Company Perspectives
Several companies have integrated high school internships into their talent management strategy, with notable success. For nearly two decades, one leader in real estate investment management has been at the forefront of this approach. Since 2006, the firm has successfully integrated 63 high school internships into its strategic talent management framework. Currently, the firm employs 9 former Genesys Works interns as long-term employees across various departments, from Accounting and IT to Operations.
The majority of interns not only stay at the firm throughout their High School senior year and college years, working on a contract basis, but also transition into full-time roles upon completing their education. Reports demonstrate increased innovation and fresh perspectives brought into their projects through these young interns. Data suggests that former interns often exhibit high retention rates within the company, with a notable number progressing into junior leadership positions.
A Senior Analyst from the investment management firm and a former Genesys Works intern, shared how the company welcomes and supports each class of interns. She highlighted the nurturing and supportive environment which is crucial for encouraging interns to fully realize their potential in the workplace, establish deep roots within the organization, and envision their future careers. “I organize pizza parties and ice cream socials for all current and former Genesys Works interns,” Grace Rivera, the analyst explained. “These gatherings allow them to connect, discuss their roles, explore potential career paths, and understand the company culture. All the interns appreciate these events-they feel they have a network of alumni to turn to if they face any challenges."
Lisa Eibsen, Senior Manager - Compliance from the firm, has provided internships or mentored 16 of the Genesys internships, and shares her perspective on the program’s impact: “The Genesys Works high school internship program has significantly shaped our firm’s approach to talent development and hiring. By providing opportunities for high school interns to work and learn within our company, we’ve been able to identify and nurture talented individuals from diverse backgrounds early in their careers. Many of these interns have become invaluable members of our workforce, enhancing diversity and introducing new skills and perspectives."
“Our Genesys Works intern has been with us for 3 years,” said Annie Hsu, an Executive Director in Operations at Mizuho. “When she came on board as a high school senior, we provided her with additional training and then gave her assignments - actual, real-work assignments that contributed to our team’s deliverables and helped her develop critical skills."
“Companies invest in our talent because they are continually surprised and delighted by the level of work that our interns can accomplish as high school seniors,” said Jeffrey Artis, Genesys Works President and CEO. “Our program allows them to invest in the talent that’s in their communities and be part of a transformative experience for local young adults."
The Future of High School Internships
As the business world evolves and the competition for skilled labor intensifies, high school internships are expected to grow into an even more critical role. These programs are expected to expand not only in number but also in scope, adapting to new industries and technologies. High school internships are a powerful tool for both educational and business institutions, providing early career exposure for students and helping businesses cultivate a future-ready workforce.
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