This is always an exciting time of year at Genesys Works. College acceptance letters for the class of 2019 are pouring in and hundreds of students are closer to making their dreams a reality. Collectively, the current Genesys Works cohort has been awarded over $2M in scholarships, including 5 Dell Scholars, 2 Posse Scholars and 1 Beat the Odds Scholar. Even more impressive is that 80% of them will be the very first in their family to attend college, charting a path for the generations that come after them. 

As the class of 2019 begins to prepare for life after high school, the GWH team is busy preparing for the incoming class of 2020. This year we received a record-breaking 1,171 applications to our program. In March, 520 rising seniors from 34 high schools spent their spring break interviewing for the opportunity to become a Genesys Works young professional. In the next few weeks, almost 400 of these students will be invited to summer training. We say this every year, but we think this will be the best year yet. 

Intern Spotlight: Kaliyah

Meet Kaliyah, a member of the Genesys Works class of 2019. If she looks familiar, it’s because she’s featured on the cover of our 2018 Annual Impact Report. Kaliyah is a senior at East Early College High School where she has been taking dual-degree courses.
This means that in May, she’ll receive her high school diploma as well as her associate’s degree from Houston Community College. Her internship in the engineering distributions and materials department at CenterPoint Energy has exposed her to the engineering field and connected her with professionals who inspire her everyday. Between her academic successes and the meaningful internship experience she’s had at CenterPoint, we’re sure she’ll do great things at Prairie View A&M University this fall. Way to go, Kaliyah!

Corporate Partner Spotlight: Cheniere

At Genesys Works, we are fortunate to have over 55 incredible corporate partners, including Cheniere. Since 2012, Cheniere has been a committed partner of Genesys Works, helping us fulfill our mission by providing meaningful work experiences and mentorship to more than 20 Houston-area students.

Raul, a current GW intern with Cheniere, will have worked 1,000 hours there by the end of his internship. “Working at Cheniere has been an eye opening and unforgettable experience,” said Raul. “During my time here, I’ve learned so much that I can take with me to college and into my future work. Genesys Works and Cheniere have truly given me an experience that I’ll never forget.” Genesys Works works because of great partners, like Cheniere.

Staff Spotlight: Da’neisha

Program Coordinator, Da’neisha Reed, is building and fostering strong relationships across Genesys Works Houston. Da’neisha has a great relationship with her cohort of Genesys Works interns. Her ability to connect with her interns while encouraging them to reach for their college and career goals is inspiring. As a graduate of the University of Texas, she is able to share her personal experiences and coach her interns on the culture shock many students feel at the start of college. As a member of the Relationship Building Committee, Da’neisha has piloted an Accountability Partner program for staff looking for extra help in achieving their health and wellness goals! A fun fact about Da’neisha is that she’s extremely handy, and enjoys putting things together and tackling projects around her home.

In Case You Missed It!

• The 2018 Annual Impact Report is now available! Learn how our program opened doors for over 1,000 students across Houston last year here.
• Friends from across Houston came together for Cocktails and Conversation, a casual evening of networking and celebration, on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Read more about the evening here.
• Centerpoint Energy is charting an innovative course for what an energy delivery company can be in the 21st century. Read more on how the organization is working to close the skills gap in Houston while building their own talent pipeline here.
• This year, Halliburton is celebrating their 100-year anniversary and 100 Genesys Works interns. Read what Myrtle Jones of Halliburton had to say about the value Genesys Works’ young professionals bring to her teams and to the community here.