Together, KIPP DC College Preparatory (KCP – a Title I school in Washington DC) and Highstreet (an IT services company in Rockville, Maryland) have launched their first-ever high school Internship program designed by Nick Magliato, Highstreet’s CEO, and KCP’s College & Career Coordinator, Alice Li. This six-week summer internship program for KCP’s students supports KCP’s mission that each of their students will successfully go onto college and a fulfilling career. From idea to launch, the program was up and running in a mere two weeks. We hope this outreach becomes mainstream in the DC business community and beyond. This partnership is the first of its kind for both KCP and Highstreet. Let’s write the next chapter!
This summer of 2020, Highstreet is pleased to welcome two rising-seniors, Sha’Monie Rose and Maurice Douglass, as the first interns to initiate the program Sha’Monie, has been primarily working with Highstreet’s HR Department, but has also been gaining experience with the Accounting & Finance Department. This experience has been invaluable because she plans on going to college and majoring in Early Childhood Education and minoring in Business & Finance. As a cinema and TV buff, Sha’Monie enjoys watching Netflix in her spare-time. Sha’Monie was excited to have been exposed to so many new aspects of business throughout her internship with Highstreet.
Maurice, as an IT Intern, has been gaining valuable experience while working with our Lead System Analyst, Chris Cox. Aside from playing football, Maurice is a passionate musician who plays Piano, Drums, and Guitar and dreams of teaching music at his own business. He believes that through music, kids and teens can better express themselves and help eliminate the violence his community experiences. To help reach this long-term goal of his, Maurice is excited to go to college and major in Business Economics. During his final Internship presentation to the Highstreet team, Maurice shared his excitement with the overall experience saying:
“I got a once in a lifetime chance, out of the whole school, to work with Highstreet, and it was challenging but I learned a lot.”
– Maurice Douglass
A decade from now, we’ll remember that Sha’Monie and Maurice started something that didn’t exist. That’s cool!
Highstreet’s focus is driving digital transformation outcomes for our customers. This journey into the future produces the necessary systems and abilities to thrive in the tech-driven 21st century. We’re applying our focus in new ways in the communities where we live to help them better prepare for the digital age. Magliato has encouraged the entire Highstreet team during all-employee meetings to brainstorm ways where we can further partner with communities and help prepare them accomplish this vital goal. It’s clear that the Highstreet focus can be used to drive all sorts of outcomes!
“The Highstreet team loves looking back on a week of work and seeing the progress we made on our goals. We talk internally about paving new paths for our customers, our partners, and our teammates. Turning our company culture traits toward action within our communities feels like a responsibility we need to address. Keep pushing team – we’re making a difference!”
– Nick Magliato; Highstreet’s CEO
With 20 schools in Washington D.C. across Wards five through eight, KIPP DC College Preparatory is a Title 1 school providing PreK3 through 12th grade students with an excellent education, nurturing environment, and a tightly knit sense of community all while best preparing them for college and life beyond. “KIPP DC College Preparatory is an equitable, diverse, and affirming learning community. We empower students to develop the 21st-century skills necessary to pursue college, career, and choice-filled lives….” Clearly, we as a business community can embrace this message. How can we be working to empower our next generation of leaders?