Apr. 20, 2019

Joy-Noel Ontman, an International Studies student from Summit Technology Academy (STA) at the Missouri Innovation Campus, has been accepted to the national Pathways Internship Program at the Department of Homeland Security in the US Citizenship and Immigration Services agency. The internship consists of paid employment over the coming summer with the option to renew for the following summer.

The Pathways Summer Internship Program is highly competitive and consists of multiple elimination stages at the national level, before a local interview process at the applicant’s chosen agency, which can be located anywhere in the country. In Joy-Noel’s case, she will not need to relocate as her internship is part of a pilot program implemented at the Lee’s Summit Office of US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Joy-Noel was chosen among thousands of applicants from across the United States in a highly selective process.

Dr. Jeremy Bonnesen, Director of STA, said, “STA continually collaborates with industry partners by designing streamlined professional preparation and authentic experiential learning to create a seamless path to a high demand, high wage careers for today’s emerging workforce talent pool.”

This internship opportunity falls directly in line with the career aspirations of International Studies students at STA. According to the Pathways Program, “Employment in a Pathways Program may lead to conversion to a permanent, competitive service position.”

“Many of my students hope to work for the Department of State or Foreign Services. This internship gives Joy-Noel a significant advantage in pursuing that career path,” said Curtis Cook, International Studies program facilitator.

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