West Roxbury Educational Complex Grads Working in High-Tech Places

Two recent graduates of the West Roxbury Educational Complex went from working in the classroom to working in the real world thanks to technology internship program.

Shanetta Holder graduated from Media High this past spring and was placed in a paid internship thanks to the Boston Public Schools' TechBoston program.

Yomaira Garcia, who graduated from the Parkway Academy of Technology and Health this past spring too, also got her feet wet in the tech industry thanks to the program.

Garcia and Holder were two of 100 advanced technology students who were honored recently after completing the seven-week internship program.

Through the Tech Apprentice program, the students worked with computer software like Microsoft Access, Sharepoint, and learned about web development, help desks and Q&A testing.

In Boston this summer 28 employers brought on the tech apprentices who worked on developing databases for financial service companies and other projects.

To gain these positions, Holder and Garcia endured a rigorous process managed by the Boston Private Industry Council. 

"I'm so grateful to these companies for stepping up and being positive corporate citizens," said BPS Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. "This program highlights the talents our students hold and gives them real world experience that will serve them well for years to come."

State Street hired 20 tech apprentices to work in a variety of IT positions. BPS hired 14 high school students to be trained as Cyber Mentors, who conducted Internet safety presentations for students participating in summer programs throughout the city. The Cyber Mentors gave 50 presentations for more than 4,000 children.