After only two weeks on the job, Cristo Rey Jesuit students are making an impression on the working world. On September 15, 2009, Cynthia Cisneros, ABC Channel 13 newscaster, visited two Cristo Rey Jesuit students at their workplaces (The Methodist Hospital System and UHY Advisors) to see how the students were faring. In a cubicle with his name plate visible, Daniel Presas was busy entering data on to his desktop computer in the audit department of UHY Advisors in Greenway Plaza. Ms. Cisneros asked Daniel if he felt prepared for his work-study job after completing the 4-week training camp. Daniel replied that he “was very nervous at first, but everyone has been so nice that I don’t feel stupid when I have to ask questions.” Milton Frankfort, Managing Director and co-founder of the firm, told Ms. Cisneros that Daniel and the other Cristo Rey Jesuit students are gaining valuable corporate work experience that will give them an advantage as they seek jobs after college graduation.
The Methodist Hospital System was the next stop, where Ms. Cisneros dropped in on Ayanna Ross in the Human Resources department. With a big smile on her face and a pink ribbon in her hair, fourteen year old Ayanna showed Ms. Cisneros around her office. Ayanna said that her workday is her favorite day of the week. “We just love the students and feel fortunate to take part in providing this wonderful opportunity. Their energy, enthusiasm, and optimism are great enhancements to our team” said Mr. Willie French, Director of Talent Acquisition and Recruitment Strategies.
Each day at approximately 7:30 am, twenty students board two school buses and are transported to their jobs around Houston. The students are dropped off at locations near their offices and begin their workday. At the end of the day, the students are picked up and brought back to the school to be greeted by their parents or guardians. The days are long, but the satisfaction is great as students like Daniel and Ayanna realize that they are gaining amazing work experience while helping to pay for their education.
Much of the success of Cristo Rey’s students in the working world has been the result of a four-week long training camp in which the students received a wide variety of instruction. In August, Ms. Cisneros and her camera crew first came to Cristo Rey Jesuit to learn about this innovative new school. They sat in on the Business Etiquette class. As students filed into the classroom, the instructor, Dr. Patricia N. Lewis, Executive Director of CFP Foundation and The Tapeats Fund, stopped each one with an outstretched hand and a greeting, “Good Morning, I’m Patricia Lewis.” Waiting for a firm handshake, eye contact and an in-kind greeting from each student, her greeting was repeated until the desired response was reciprocated by each student. Nervous responses improved as the final students caught on to the lesson. Dr. Lewis then began the class by giving examples of what was appropriate conversation for the office and what was not. “Use of profanity or slang is never acceptable” advised Dr. Lewis. “Leave your troubles at the door, and have a smile on your face.” For the Cristo Rey Jesuit students, this brisk class was a preview of what will be expected of them in the workplace.
Ms. Cisneros noted the transformation of the students as remarkable in the weeks since her first visit. She was greeted by both Daniel and Ayanna with a firm handshake, eye contact, a clear introduction of their name and, most importantly, a smile.
