Dhuha Thabet, an SCSD Say Yes to Education student, interned with the Whitman School of Management’s Couri Hatchery Student Business Incubator. (Photo courtesy of Indaria Jones)
This summer, a group of high school students from the Syracuse City School District (SCSD) had the opportunity to get a head start on their futures with a paid internship at Syracuse University, where they gained hands-on experience in various fields by working across campus as part of the Office of Community Engagement’s summer internship program.
Summer interns are selected from a pool of candidates and placed in campus positions aligned with their desired career pathway. Each of the five SCSD high schools—Nottingham, Henninger, Corcoran, ITC and PSLA—were involved this year, with representation from the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, as well as students eligible for the Say Yes to Education scholarship program.
Interns spent their summer working closely with professionals at the University and learned more about the careers they hope to pursue. Aside from experiential learning, they also had the opportunity to start building their professional networks and connecting with the campus community.
Quindell Williams, workforce development coach in the SCSD’s CTE program, praised the summer internship program, saying, “The partnership between SCSD Career and Technical Education and Syracuse University is one that not only makes perfect sense, but one that we hope to continue to nurture as our CTE programs grow and expand. The program allows our students to engage with professionals, gain hands-on work experience and earn money in the process. Opportunities like this are what CTE is all about—preparing our students for success in the workforce!”
Ryan Sojewicz, a media communications CTE student from ITC High School (third from left), poses with staff from WAER-FM. (Photo courtesy of Holliday Moore)
Now in its fifth year, the summer internship program has led to successful outcomes for participants. Students who participated in the program have a near-100% graduation rate. Many of these students graduated with their high school diploma and successfully transitioned into their career field well-equipped with skills and experience from the summer program.
Others developed the desire to attend Syracuse University after graduation and have accomplished that goal. There are currently summer internship program alumni studying in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, School of Information Studies, David B. Falk College of Sport and College of Arts and Sciences, with even more interns who completed the program in 2025 and are excited to return to campus as students—all starting with their summer internship opportunity.
The program’s positive impact is not limited only to the young people who participate. Hosting departments across campus are happy to get to share their experience and expertise with passionate students who are eager to learn.
Holliday Moore, news and public affairs director at WAER 88.3, says, “Over the years in the news profession, academic and coaching arenas, I’ve noticed that many high schoolers begin developing their dreams and ambitions well before they enter high school, and some don’t. I strongly believe that it’s important we show them the opportunities and choices ahead of them before they enter college. Ryan [Sojewicz, a media communications CTE student from ITC High School] is one of those developing students whose curiosity is ignited. We enjoyed having him on staff and showing him how the news industry at an NPR affiliate gets it done. I am looking forward to him hitting the ground running wherever his ambition takes him. We hope it’s here at WAER!”
SCSD Say Yes to Education student Mia Leo (center in back row) poses with the School of Education Office of Academic and Student Services team. (Photo courtesy of Shannon Botsford)
Troy Provost, a business technology CTE student from Nottingham High School (third from left), poses with staff from the Office of Human Resources. (Photo courtesy of Kajsa Parker Kenney)
Story by Paige Altman
