When looking back on his yearlong experience with Genesys Works, senior Benjamin Mai said his biggest takeaway was his knowledge of what the corporate workplace is like.

Mai, one of 12 seniors who participated in the program this year, said he interned as an information technology analyst at General Mills and worked on computer-related issues.  

“I heard about Genesys Works during my junior year of high school and was immediately intrigued about the idea of interning at a Fortune 500 company,” Mai said.

According to Genesys Works’ website, the nonprofit organization works to create a stronger and more diverse workforce by providing opportunities to disadvantaged high school students.

Career and College Coordinator and Career Technical Education (CTE) director Kara Mueller said she coordinates Genesys Works at the high school. She said the program provides students who overcame obstacles in their lives with paid internships.

“(Genesys Works) is a program for students to be trained and put into Fortune 500 companies their senior year,” Mueller said.

Junior Lindsey Prestholdt said she recently applied for the program and will hear about her acceptance status in the coming months.

“I thought it would be great experience and thought it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Prestholdt said.

Mai said students interested in the program should take advantage of the opportunity.

“It’s all about the experience that you will gain,” Mai said. “You will have a unique experience most seniors won’t have.”

Mai said another benefit to Genesys Works is the opportunity to make money through the internships.

“If [the experience gained] still doesn’t interest you, you’ll also have fun throughout the process while making $10,000 on the side,” Mai said.

Prestholdt said the the application process was not difficult for her.

“It was mostly basic questions like name, contact information and emergency info but at the end they asked for three to five sentence responses to questions,” Prestholdt said.

Prestholdt said she would like to intern in the fields of business or industrial engineering because she envisions herself having a career in those areas.

“I look forward to learning valuable business skills and witnessing what having a professional career would be like,” Prestholdt said.

Mueller said Genesys Works internships bring students out of their shells. Mueller also said she sees transformations in students’ confidence.

“(Interns) know their voice matters and they’re goal-driven. I see pride. And they should be proud,” Mueller said.

According to Mueller, interested juniors have until Mar. 2 to apply. Interested juniors can attend the meeting at 8:15 a.m. Feb. 7 in B225 to work on their applications.