Each year, Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology (WIT) project partners with industry businesses and organizations to create summer internships for STEMworks high school students. Internships are available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and agriculture related jobs. The positions allow qualified individuals to apply their skills and knowledge in the workplace under the
guidance of mentoring professionals. WIT seeks to match the students’ interests with the needs of their partner organizations.
“WIT’s Summer Internship program provides students an opportunity to explore STEM careers,” said Denissa Andrade, WIT Project Assistant. “Interns use advanced software tools for logo, brochure and website design, app development, video production and more. As students hone their technology skills and gain confidence in their abilities, WIT augments their real-world career experience with professional development training,” she explained. Besides helping students discover their passion in a particular career field, the STEMworks program ultimately supports a resident STEM workforce. Many program alumni are now employed in the companies that hosted them, bringing fresh, innovative talent to these organizations.
“I learned a lot about communication skills,” said Maui High School graduate Racieli Andrada. “The benefi ts included on-the-job training to develop abilities, attitudes and the protocol necessary for success in the workplace, as well as the opportunity to be a contributing member of a work team.” The State of Hawaii’s Labor and Industrial Relation Workforce Development Division funded WIT’s Summer STEMworks Internship program. “The grant supported 16 high school and college interns who will be working 120 hours each at their respective host companies. The interns will also be required to participate in 12 hours of professional development training provided by WIT during the May 1 to August 29, 2015 timeframe,” said Andrade, noting the importance of developing the next generation of Maui County STEM and agriculture professionals. “The STEMworks Summer Internship brings students a step closer to the future.”