GE’s Hispanic Affinity Group, the GE Hispanic Forum (HF), today announced an agreement with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to launch a pilot internship referral program for Hispanic students. The program will pair selected students to GEÂ internships in their current field of study, offer leadership training and expose them to role models working in the science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and finance fields.
The HF hopes that the pilot program will help better prepare Hispanic students for successful careers in STEM and finance and possibly help GE identify future talent for the company or one of its leadership programs.
Seven internship positions have been identified for students in GE’s energy, health care, oil and gas and capital divisions. The program will begin in 2014.
“Encouraging young Hispanics to develop a deeper interest in the exciting world of science, technology, engineering and math, and preparing them for great careers are the primary goal of the new program,” said Beto Casellas, National co-chair of GE’s Hispanic Forum and vice president and general manager for GE Capital Retail Finance. “With Hispanics underrepresented in STEM fields, the GE Hispanic Forum has also developed the new educational training program to share our passion for these careers to help cultivate lasting interest in STEM careers among Hispanics across the country.”
Interested students can request more information about the program through the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ website at www.hacu.net. Candidates are reviewed and selected by GE Hispanic Forum members.
“Engaging Hispanic students early in STEM careers will deepen their understanding of the opportunities and expectations in various STEM fields and provide hands-on experience to make them more career ready,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores, Ph.D. “We are delighted to work with GE on this program and believe it will help encourage the next generation of young Hispanics to pursue careers in STEM.”
The GE Hispanic Forum was established in 1996 as an employee-based affinity group created to attract, retain and develop Hispanic talent within GE. GEHF currently has more than 3,500 members in the U.S. and globally who work to engage and support Hispanic communities around the country.
Source GE