Parsons announced that its participation in the City of Los Angeles’ HIRE LA’s Youth summer program recently drew to a successful close. Through the program, which is spearheaded by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Parsons employed eight interns who are pursuing college degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). For five weeks, the interns shadowed Parsons engineers, information systems professionals, human resources staff, and project managers to gain an understanding of the types of projects the corporation is engaged in as well as its operational structure.
“We are pleased to be able to offer internships to local students in several of our offices throughout the United States,” said Debra Fiori, Parsons’ Corporate Vice President of Talent Management. “Programs like the City of Los Angeles’ HIRE LA’s Youth summer program have a real impact on industry and young people alike, and we hope that our employees in Pasadena have inspired these eight students to continue their pursuit of STEM degrees.”
The HIRE LA’s Youth summer program was first brought to Parsons’ attention by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce in 2007, and this summer marked the sixth year the corporation has supported this initiative. The five-week program culminated with the interns presenting their experiences to a number of Parsons’ technical managers and executives.
Of his experience, one student stated, “Being able to intern with Parsons was one of the best experiences of my life. I am very grateful for the opportunity provided by the City of Los Angeles and to Parsons for making this possible. Shadowing a project manager allowed me to get hands-on experience on what it is like to be in charge of a project. This has been a great learning experience, the people at Parsons were very helpful and welcoming, and I feel like this job has made me a more responsible and mature person.”
As a global engineering, construction, technical, and management services firm, Parsons understands the importance of introducing students to STEM and has supported educational organizations and initiatives since its founding in 1944.
“Parsons is a longtime supporter of our HIRE LA’s Youth summer program,” said Maria Dolores Nieto, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Director, Education & Workforce Development. “The corporation’s employees encourage our students and provide them with opportunities to improve their critical thinking skills in a collaborative, professional environment.”
Parsons, celebrating more than 70 years of growth in the engineering, construction, technical, and professional services industries, is a leader in many diversified markets with a focus on defense/security, industrial, and infrastructure. Parsons delivers design/design-build, program/construction management, and other professional services packaged in innovative alternative delivery methods to federal, regional, and local government agencies, as well as to private industrial customers worldwide. For more about Parsons, please visit www.parsons.com.
