FutureWorks is a Community Economic Development Committee (CEDC) project designed to connect business leaders with the next generation of workers through Internships and Job Shadowing. By identifying and nurturing talent, the business community is investing in the competitiveness and vibrancy of our economy.

We invite the business community to join the CEDC and consider welcoming a student into their business as a summer intern or for a job shadowing experience.

Finding a career can be overwhelming for young adults, especially if they don’t have professional experience and guidance.  By completing an internship or job shadowing program, however, a graduating high school senior or college student can be equipped with on-the-job expertise and insider knowledge better preparing them for the next phases of their lives.

Each business approaches internships differently, but in general, an internship is a short-term, entry-level role that can help a student gain skills and knowledge. Having an internship on a résumé can help them stand out in the job search, and some companies even transition interns to full-time employees upon graduation. Interns usually work alongside a specific person or team within a business, learning from seasoned professionals and trying out different aspects of the job.  Interns usually complete smaller tasks to support larger organizational initiatives. The duration of an internship can last 4-8 weeks and is determined by the business.

Job shadowing provides the opportunity to observe a day(s) in the life of someone’s job by following them in their professional setting. It’s a quick way to learn more about a career and build a network. In certain industries, employers are looking for individuals for good paying, rewarding careers that require skills beyond high school, but less than a four-year college degree. Job shadowing can open a young adult’s eyes to these options. The duration of a job shadowing experience can last one day to a week and is determined by the business.

With this as background, the CEDC is proud to launch FutureWorks and partner with Friendswood Independent School District, Clear Creek Independent School District, Workforce Solutions and San Jacinto College. Each of our partners is equipped to assist students with career counseling, internship placement and job shadowing opportunities.

Why should a student and a business consider an internship or job shadowing program?

A meaningful internship program with purpose will provide students:

• Experiences, exploration, networking, skill development, resume building, experience
  business culture, develop time management skills, boost confidence, identify a specialty,
  find a mentor.
• Internships and job shadowing can help you gain experience in a career field and lead to
  opportunities for future jobs.
• Guide your personal career goals and learn about the expectations of employment in your
  chosen field to know if it is right for you.

A meaningful internship program with purpose will provide businesses:

• The ability to select and develop future talent through internships and increase their staff
  retention rates, since many interns secure job offers after their internship ends.
• Interns are valuable support to current employees, even if tasks given to them have modest
  levels of responsibility. By taking on tasks as an intern, other employees can pursue creative
  or more advanced projects.
• Interns offer a fresh look at a company’s day-to-day business and procedures and can share
  ideas on strategy and spur innovation.
• Businesses that offer internships can establish or grow their community connections,
  increasing their visibility with positive publicity.

Students and recent grads seeking internships can contact:

• Susan Kirkpatrick, FISD, skirkpatrick@fisd12.net, 281-996-6558
• Linda Smith, CCISD, lsmith@ccisd.net, 281-284-0154
• Jalyn Judkins, Workforce Solutions, jalyn.judkins@wrksolutions.com, 281-745-9472
• Sherryl Guthrie-Kimble, Workforce Solutions, sherryl.guthrie-kimble@wrksolutions.com,
  832-409-0049 ext. 87133
• Tabitha Godinez, San Jacinto College, Tabitha.godinez@sjcd.edu, 281-669-4053
  Businesses Seeking Interns
• Jayln Judkins, Workforce Solutions, jayln.judkins@wrksolutions.com, 281-745-9472
• Tabitha Godinez, San Jacinto College, Tabitha.godinez@sjcd.edu, 281-669-4053