Rebecca's Summer Internship

Hands-on experience for an aspiring social worker

With historically low unemployment across the state, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Education Agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board are asking employers and students to accept the Texas Internship Challenge.

Summer internships offer young adults an opportunity to gain paid work experience while continuing to pursue post-secondary educational goals, giving participants a competitive advantage after graduation when compared to peers without real-world work experience.

This year, Workforce Solutions expanded its efforts to provide paid internships to students around the region. In Houston, for example, Rebecca Monsivais accepted the challenge and began a summer internship with Adaptive Construction Solutions, Inc. ("ACS"), a provider of registered apprenticeship programs.

Rebecca graduated from high school earlier this year where she enjoyed learning about robotics and computer software. She will begin college in the fall to earn a degree in sociology as part of her path to become a social worker. Her vision will carry on her family's tradition of helping others in their community - her father is a teacher, and her sister is a therapist with a focus on helping children with autism.

Working as a Career Development Intern at ACS allows Rebecca to learn database and case management in preparation for her career in social work. According to Rebecca, this experience will sharpen her communication, organization, and critical thinking skills. All of these skills serve as a foundation for professional success in any occupation.

"Workforce Solutions has greatly assisted us in meeting our goals to staff and train our workforce," said Nicholas Morgan, President of ACS. "In addition to identifying candidates, Workforce Solutions assist in supporting and mentoring our interns as they gain experience."