Breakthrough Central Texas Partners with Austin Business Community to Strengthen And Diversify Local Workforce
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2023
AUSTIN, TX – Breakthrough Central Texas, a leading Austin-area nonprofit creating paths to college for students who will be first in their family to earn a college degree, has launched its 2023 Host Company Recruitment season as part of the Breakthrough Internship Network (BIN) in partnership with Accenture. For more than 10 years, Austin-area businesses have had the opportunity to be matched with exceptional student interns. To apply to become a Breakthrough Internship Network host company, visit breakthroughctx.org/internships.
Since 2011, Breakthrough Central Texas has partnered with local business leaders, including Accenture, Aceable, Holtzman, Horizon Bank, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, and University Federal Credit Union, to offer paid internships to qualified first-generation college students from Austin’s under-resourced communities. To date, the Breakthrough Internship Program has filled more than 600 internships with more than 100 local businesses. Many BIN interns go on to earn full-time employment, helping to fill the nation’s growing labor shortage. This summer, Breakthrough Central Texas hopes to match 125 college students with local host companies.
Internships can be unattainable for students from under-resourced communities who may lack the professional networks and cannot afford to accept an unpaid position. The Breakthrough Internship Network (formerly Future Focus) arranges full-time, paid, professional internships for Breakthrough and KIPP college students, connecting them with companies who in turn host motivated, hardworking interns from diverse backgrounds. This type of internship helps college students fund their education and expenses and lays the foundation to pursue successful careers after graduation.
Breakthrough Internship Network partner Accenture, a multinational information technology services and consulting company with an Austin location, has hosted 197 interns since 2011 as part of its Skills to Succeed Initiative. Skills to Succeed provides employment and entrepreneurship opportunities globally, by equipping the next generation of workers with critical skills, empowering the innovators of tomorrow, fostering an inclusive workforce, and supporting the incoming workforce with internships, apprenticeships, and first job opportunities. To date, 23 Breakthrough Internship Network students have gone on to secure full-time employment with Accenture.
“Numerous organizations are facing a shared struggle – the continued demand for talent amidst a diminishing pool of skilled resources,” says Accenture’s market unit lead for the US South, Marty Rodgers. “We need not only talent, but diverse talent, to fuel Accenture’s future. In this ongoing battle for the best and the brightest, we have found and nurtured alternative resource pipelines including internships and apprenticeships. Accenture’s Skills to Succeed initiative and partnership with programs such as Breakthrough Internship Network has enabled us to help upskill communities, in addition to opening up additional pathways to diverse talent.”
Maria Jose Martinez, a Breakthrough Central Texas student and Trinity College alumnus became the first in her family to earn a college degree this spring. After working with Accenture as part of the Breakthrough Internship Network in 2021, Martinez secured a full-time job with the company in 2022.
Maria describes the value she gained from her internship with Accenture and is, “Very appreciative of the experience because it exposed me to corporate America and to a white-collar environment. I was able to develop some skills such as Jira, Teams, Snagit, and increase my network tremendously. I was also able to leave an impact on the project, and know that my contributions would be used as the project progresses.”
Breakthrough works with employers year-round to identify internship opportunities and match interns. Host companies interview pre-screened students and select the interns who will make the best contributions to their organization. In order to create a beneficial internship experience, host companies must provide meaningful work, regular feedback, a part-time or full-time internship, and a pay rate of $15-$25 per hour. If you are interested in hosting a summer intern, please contact Breakthrough Central Texas’ Director of Corporate Partnerships Kate Garrett at kate@breakthroughctx.org.
To learn more about Breakthrough Central Texas, its mission, vision, and programs, visit breakthroughctx.org.
ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH CENTRAL TEXAS
Breakthrough Central Texas is a nonprofit that creates a path to college for students from under-resourced communities. From sixth grade through college, the organization offers out-of-school learning experiences, leadership skills, and comprehensive advising to students. The organization makes a long-term commitment to students and their families to guide them through the process of preparing for, enrolling in, and completing college. This model ensures the success of students and families from middle school to high school graduation to college diploma and beyond. Join the conversation on Twitter @BreakthroughCTX, Instagram @BreakthroughCTX and at Facebook.com/BreakthroughCTX. To learn more, visit www.breakthroughctx.org.
ABOUT ACCENTURE
Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Technology and Operations services and Accenture Song — all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 721,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at accenture.com.
Media Contact:
Mary Green
(704) 576-5178