During the 2019-2020 school year seven students interned at Texas Children’s Health Plan as part of Project Search, a national organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities find employment. And although challenged with a global pandemic, they each persevered to complete the hands-on training.
They will enjoy a virtual graduation on Thursday, June 4. The graduates and their accomplishments are as follows:
Brian Buckingham
Ross Shaw Sterling Aviation High School
What were the main responsibilities of your internship?
I worked in the Marketing department, mainly in the warehouse. My main responsibilities were filling orders, loading the docking truck, and keeping the maintenance up on the trucks.
In what ways did the internship make you stronger?
The internship has helped me to be more confident. I no longer have a problem asking for help.
What are your future plans or desired profession?
I’d like to get a job within the warehouse industry.
Do you have any advice for students coming to Project Search at TCHP?
My advice to incoming students would be to finish what you start, follow directions and be on time.
From the Project SEARCH team:
It has been a great pleasure watching Brian grow into a mature, responsible, hard-working man. He is a fast learner who excelled at his internship in the Marketing Warehouse. He was able to move inventory, load and unload trucks, operate a pallet jack, take and fill orders, and make deliveries throughout The Health Plan. Brian has a calm demeanor and has expressed his interest in working in a warehouse or being a delivery driver assistant. With the ability and leadership he has shown during his internship, I know Brian will be successful in that job environment. Brian, we wish you all the best on future endeavors! We know you will be successful!!
Stacy Calvo
Sharpstown International School
What were the main responsibilities of your internship?
I worked in the Marketing department, as well as the Claims department. My main responsibilities were using Excel, making copies, shredding papers, organizing the Managed Care binders and other clerical duties.
In what ways did the internship make you stronger?
The internship has made me a better communicator and more confident. I am now more willing to make eye contact when speaking to people.
Future plans or desired profession?
I would like to work in a hospital in housekeeping or as a patient escort.
Do you have any advice for students coming to Project Search at TCHP?
My advice to incoming interns would be to follow directions and make eye contact when speaking to others.
From the Project SEARCH team:
Stacy has proven to be one of the most responsible, trustworthy, and dependable interns the Project SEARCH program has ever had the honor to work with. Not only does Stacy comply with rules and policies, but she exceeds expectations of integrity and professionalism. She is a fast learner and always has a smile on her face and a friendly word for others. It has been a pleasure working with Stacy and watching her grow and bloom into the professional woman she is. Stacy is anxious to enter the world of work and there is no doubt that she will be very successful in the path she chooses. We wish you well Stacy, and we look forward to hearing about all the accomplishments you will achieve!
Josseline Lopez
Northside High School
What were the main responsibilities of your internship?
I work in the StarKids department. My main responsibilities are assisting with the preparation for the TCHi orientations, organizing and sorting, and putting packets together for everyone that is hired at TCHP.
In what ways did the internship make you stronger?
I have become more independent and a lot more self-sufficient.
Future plans or desired profession?
I would like to work in a hospital.
Do you have any advice for students coming to Project Search at TCHP?
I would tell the incoming students to follow the rules and instructions. Everyone is here to help you.
From Josseline’s Mentor, Aracely Olmeda:
Joselin has blossomed from a shy and timid intern to a bold and vivacious coworker. She was celebrated as a coworker in Care Coordination and it has been my honor to mentor her. She has excelled in time management and developing education training materials for new hires. She also has conquered the daunting task of organizing the 14th floor storage room and has taken an active role in managing inventory for new hire equipment. She is a quick learner and is adaptable to anything thrown her way! Congrats Josseline
Kirk Cole
Westbury High School
What were the main responsibilities of your internship?
I managed the TCHP Concierge Service. I worked on all floors, delivering supplies, mail, cleaning the common areas, and I made sure that each printer was stocked with paper on every floor.
In what ways did the internship make you stronger?
The internship has made me more responsible in many ways.
Future plans or desired profession?
My internship improved my job skills so much that our job coach was able to secure a job for me at my home church. I love working in my church and would hope that I am promoted to full-time soon.
Do you have any advice for students coming to Project Search at TCHP?
My advice to incoming interns would be to work hard, do your best and be honest.
From Kirk’s Mentor, Shamera Beckham:
Mr. Kirk, I am so proud of you! It was amazing to watch how you’ve grown throughout the duration of your internship. You did an awesome job in managing the Concierge Service at TCHP, and everyone looked forward to working with you. I am certain that you will be a great asset in working at your church and I hope that you keep in touch. We are always here rooting for you!
Christopher Batiste
Ross Shaw Sterling Aviation High School
What were the main responsibilities of your internship?
I worked in Claims, Member Services, and Contracts. My main responsibilities in Claims were data entry and quality improvement. In Member Services I was responsible for receiving and sorting mail. In Contracts, I was responsible for entering all information into Excel.
In what ways did the internship make you stronger?
The internship made me more confident and more comfortable working with others.
Future plans or desired profession?
I’d like to work in a grocery store or in an office setting.
Do you have any advice for students coming to Project Search at TCHP?
Be honest and be on time. Enjoy Project Search and make good friends because everyone is helpful.
From Christopher’s Mentor, Ann Miller:
I would like to say it has been a great pleasure to work with Chris throughout this year. Even though it ended sooner that we wanted it to, I could not have asked for better help. Chris was very polite and never hesitated to accomplish anything ask of him. I would like to end with “Be bold, be courageous, be your best.” … I hope to see you again soon!
Bryan Barrera
Lamar High School
What were the main responsibilities of your internship?
I worked in the Finance and Control/Compliance Department. My main responsibilities were working together with my mentor, Ms. Donna, entering data into excel, sorting, printing, and other clerical duties.
In what ways has the internship made you stronger?
The internship has made me more independent and confident to do things on my own.
Future plans or desired profession?
In the future, I’d like to work in a grocery store, checking expiration dates, sorting things, etc.
Do you have any advice for students coming to Project Search at TCHP?
I would tell an incoming intern to follow instructions from your mentor and the Project Search Teacher, Ms. Lisa.
From Bryan’s Mentors, Donna Jackson and Tzaddi Yanez:
Bryan, you will be dearly missed by us all on the 14th floor. Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication. All the best and keep in touch – Donna Jackson
Congratulations, Bryan! Thank you for all of your help this past year. Keep your head up and stay determined! Prayers and blessings for all of your future endeavors! – Tzaddi Yanez
George Barrientos
Wisdom High School
What were the main responsibilities of your internship?
I worked in the IS department. My main duties were imaging computers and helping to deliver passwords and logins to new hires. I also installed replacement equipment, like a mouse or keyboard.
In what ways has the internship made you stronger?
It taught me what a real job is like. Like taking lunch, being on time, and being prepared.
Future plans or desired profession?
My goal is to be a video game creator. I want to get a job in store with a game department like Best Buy or Target.
Do you have any advice for students coming to Project Search at TCHP?
I would tell them to take all these opportunities. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
From the Project SEARCH team:
It has been a pleasure getting to know George and watching him learn new skills. He was friendly, well-liked by all his coworkers, was a fast learner, and very independent. The IT department was a good fit for George, as he enjoyed working with computers and had a good understanding of technology. He learned quickly how to reimage and configure computers and was a great help to the IT department. George has expressed his interest in getting a job in the computer field. We wish you all the best George, in your future endeavors!
