Five Local University of Texas at Austin Students Participated in 2024 “Home to Texas” Summer Internship Program
By: Coral Cantu, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2024
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas and the University of Texas at Austin collaborated for the fourth annual “Home to Texas Summer Internship Program” during the summer of 2024 with five local students who just completed their first year of undergraduate studies at the university participating in the program, including Kelly Alvarez, Nathalia Chavarria, Clarissa Martinez, Zenaida Rodriguez, and Yanitza Reyna.
The City of Eagle Pass and UT at Austin hosted on Monday, July 15, 2024, a “graduation ceremony” of the five local college students for successfully completing the summer internship program at the Eagle Pass International Center for Trade, presenting each student with a certificate of completion at a ceremony attended by their respective summer internship employers, City officials, parents and family members, and local citizens.
The “Home to Texas” is a summer internship and workforce development program that facilitates UT at Austin undergraduates with well-paid internships and research experiences designed to help them understand the underlying values of their home communities such as Eagle Pass. During their experience, students enroll in a summer online course at the UT at Austin College of Liberal Arts that requires local community research and analysis. Participating students develop a greater appreciation of their hometown communities, increasing the chance they will consider returning after graduation.
The five Eagle Pass students were assigned to an internship with a local employer including the Maverick County Hospital District, United Medical Centers, Eagle Pass International Bridge System, Eagle Pass Economic Development Department’s Main Street Program, Eagle Pass Parks and Recreation Department, and the Eagle Pass Water Works System.
The five Eagle Pass students were able to develop a strong professional foundation early in their college experience, build career connections for future employment in their hometown, and develop their leadership skills as future leaders of their community.
The students are required to conduct interviews and research as part of their summer college on-line course during the internship. The students write and present an analytical research paper of their findings as well as provide recommendations to their employers.
At the July 15th graduation ceremony, Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. recognized each student for successfully completing the summer internship program and invited them to return to their hometown after graduating from UT at Austin or completing their graduate or professional school studies. Mayor Salinas presented each student with a certificate of completion and a small memento gift on behalf of the City of Eagle Pass.
Following the ceremony, refreshments were provided to all the students and guests at the event.
