UHCL awards Internship Scholarships to seven students, enhancing career development and easing financial strains
Internships offer invaluable real-world experience, helping students apply classroom knowledge in professional settings, explore career paths, build professional networks, and enhance their resumes. Recognizing the dual benefits of practical experience and financial support, the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Office of Strategic Partnerships has introduced ‘ The Internship Scholarship Program .' This initiative aims to mitigate financial challenges for students engaged in unpaid, credit-based internships within their respective fields, ensuring they can focus on their professional growth without the burden of financial stress.
This spring, seven UH-Clear Lake students were each awarded $1,300 through the 2024 Spring Internship Scholarship. These scholarships affirm UHCL’s commitment to supporting students' academic and professional development through financial assistance. The recipients are Erick Chavez, a Spanish therapist intern at Mine Counseling; Jacqueline Golz, interning at Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Management; Karla Gutierrez, counseling intern at League City Counseling & Education Center; Shatori Langham, crime lab analyst intern at Texas Department of Criminal Justice; Joanna Mendieta, clinical teaching intern at Barbers Hill Independent School District (ISD); Jessica Serrano, clinical teaching intern at Clear Creek ISD, and Courtney Brown.
Courtney Brown, a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education , is currently gaining hands-on experience as a Clinical Teaching Intern at La Porte ISD. With over 16 years of experience working with children, Brown’s passion for education is deeply rooted in her personal journey as a child who felt the impact of inadequate academic support. As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, she is driven not by financial incentives but by a profound desire to enhance the educational experiences and lives of children. “I was that child and I know what it feels like,” Brown said. Her commitment is fueled by the belief in making a tangible difference in the lives of her students.
“W e live paycheck to paycheck. It's not easy handling life while struggling to make it through the day, but I have learned how to keep going,” she said.
Brown added that when she received the scholarship, she was in the middle of financial hardship and didn't know how she would make it. But when she was selected as a recipient, she was surprised.
“I was able to get the supplies I needed for my classes, get the supplies I needed to teach lessons at my assigned school, and get the necessities I needed for myself,” said Brown. “ Here I am, a straight A student. Based off my academic progress, I know I made the right choice attending UHCL,” she explained. “I was recently invited to join UHCL Chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi for the 2023-2024 academic year.”
Brown hopes to change the lives of children and the field of education by using the skills she has acquired at UHCL to be a great teacher to her students and further her education. She also recommends students apply for the Internship Scholarship Program.
“ I would also take the skills I have learned and further my education by getting my master's degree in counseling. UHCL has taught me everything I need to know to excel on my teaching journey. I would recommend other students to apply for this scholarship. This scholarship has helped me in so many ways and I believe it could help the next eligible person.”
Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships Natalie Pecknold said one of its core purposes is to increase participation in internship opportunities to help students achieve academic and professional success.
“We support several internship initiatives in partnership with industries and external organizations such as the Boeing Student Development Partnership and the KBR IMOC Internship Program,” Pecknold said. “The Intern Scholarship Program is another important initiative that focuses specifically on unpaid internships and reducing the financial barriers associated with participating in such opportunities.”
Furthermore, Pecknold mentioned that UHCL has recently received a generous corporate gift from Wellby Financial to establish an endowment for unpaid intern scholarships, that will enable the university to award additional intern scholarships and in perpetuity of the endowed funds, which means this scholarship opportunity will sustain for many years to come.
“We know that internship experiences can greatly improve the career trajectory of college students —from higher starting salary to an increased number of job offers — but there are also many known barriers to pursuing them such as family obligations, transportation costs, and even attire,” said Pecknold. “UHCL recognizes these hardships and will continue to seek solutions for increasing student access to internships — whether paid or unpaid.”
Intern Scholarships are awarded every semester. The Intern Scholarship application for Summer 2024 will be open April 1 through May 31. To qualify for the Intern Scholarship, students must complete an unpaid internship for academic credit towards degree requirements. Students can apply through the UHCL Financial Aid Office and online scholarship application portal (log into E-Services and click “Financial Aid” to apply for UHCL scholarships). For more information about UHCL’s Office of Strategic Partnerships and internship opportunities, visit www.uhcl.edu/strategic-partnerships/ .
