In the News

Junior Class interns from the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders (ARS), Eliud Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez-Gonzalez, spent the past week gaining “real work” experience at O’Connell Robertson in Austin. The pair were introduced to the architecture, engineering, construction, interior design, accounting and marketing divisions of the firm.

“Our Ann Richards School interns provided first-hand insight and great ideas for the final finishing touches on the interiors plan for the Senior Loft of the new campus during their time working at O’Connell Robertson.” — Jayna Duke, Associate Principal

On Monday, Eliud and Jennifer listened in on a career-path panel involving women leaders at O’Connell Robertson representing the firm’s service areas and business operations. The leaders provided advice on the best steps to take in order to achieve the students’ long-term goals. During the week the students toured two different education projects. On Wednesday, they explored the new Menchaca Elementary School, a newly finished Austin ISD school representing the latest in 21^st century learning environments. On Friday they saw the construction of the new Ann Richards School, designed by O’Connell Robertson, where the two students will be among the first graduating class of the new campus, set to open in January 2021. Each day Eliud and Jennifer were treated to a lunch outing with some of O’Connell Robertson’s staff with Tuesday’s outing including partner construction firm, Rogers O’Brien, and their ARC interns.

This is the second consecutive year O’Connell Robertson has participated in the ARC Internship Program. They are among 31 organizations participating in 2020.

 

About the ARC Internship Program:
The ARC Internship Program is a well-defined, short-term work/learning experience designed to help students prepare for their chosen career fields. Students apply the skills they have learned in the classroom to a specific career field and work on projects alongside practicing professionals.

It provides students with:
• Relevance and meaning to learning experiences through hands-on application of skills
• Contextual and integrated learning experiences
• Connections between school and work
• Career awareness and exploration
• Lessons on relevant employability skills and what employers want

At the end of the internship, students are evaluated by their assigned on-site supervisors, receiving a grade, and then present their week’s work to a panel of professionals and their pathway teachers.