Many local and national organizations are facing increased workloads in the midst of budgetary cutbacks. Questions are beginning to surface of how to actually get the work done in these confusing economic times.

 That's the beauty of PRO (Pursuing Real Opportunities). PRO is designed with the intent of placing Interns, Externs, and Job Shadowing students in your organization to learn firsthand what your organization is all about. Amarillo ISD and Amarillo College both have students that are looking for "real world - real work" experience while they complete their educations. Your organization can provide the setting for students to learn how to apply the skills they are getting in school to a real work environment. The cost of an intern can be minimal, with high school students working as a part of their high school educational program and Amarillo College students working for various wage ranges. The true cost is in your organizations time investment in these students, helping to develop them into qualified employees. Externships and Job Shadowing opportunities are shorter term opportunities that have little if any financial renumeration to the student, just the opportunity to apply their education in a real work experience.

 Internships are the cornerstone of professional development in most fields of study, offering students an opportuntiy to gain hands-on skills and learn more about your industry while providing you with additional workforce support. Internships make for rewarding experiences, both for the students and the organization, and provide potential cost savings. In many cases, such as the City of Amarillo, organizations hire directly from their student Interns because they have already proven to be a good fit and have been trained on organizational process. As one organizational executive said, "it is kind of a try them before you buy them approach to the workforce, both for the student Intern and the organization."

 If you would be interested in providing Internship (or other opportunities) to Amarillo ISD or Amarillo College students through the PRO program please contact Shawn M. Fouts at Amarillo College Workforce & Economic Development, 371-2903.