Intern program leads to part-time jobs for two Missouri students

As summer comes to a close, so do two internships at the IBM Delivery Center in Columbia, Mo., in partnership with the Department’s Pathways to Prosperity initiative. Rachel Million, Centralia, and Andrew Krall, Columbia, spent eight weeks working with a team that virtually builds servers for clients. The two high school juniors experienced many aspects of the IBM culture, from team meetings to project management to a corporate character workshop where they learned more about what it means to be an “IBMer.”                                         

Based on their excellent performance during their internships, IBM has offered Rachel and Andrew part-time positions throughout their senior year. The two will be able to work after school or on weekends to fit the jobs into their class schedules.

“This is just the sort of opportunity students can find in the Pathways to Prosperity program,” said Kristie Davis, director of Pathways to Prosperity for the Department. “Education is partnering with business to give high school students an opportunity to explore careers they might be interested in pursuing after graduation, and the types of post-high school education they will need in order to be successful in those careers.”

Rachel and Andrew were selected for the paid internships from a field of 14 applicants based on their job interviews, essays and academic achievement. The interns followed the same application and interview process as any job candidate with IBM.

“IBM provides training for interns in jobs that are relevant today,” said Peter Ferraro, human resources leader at the IBM Delivery Center in Columbia. “We want these students to get a view of the world outside their classroom.”

Rachel and Andrew, along with representatives from Pattonville School District, gave a presentation during the Administrators Conference held in late July, sharing their experiences with school district leaders from across the state.

To celebrate completion of the internships, their parents, superintendents, guidance counselors and Department representatives joined Rachel and Andrew earlier this month for a reception in their honor.