DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Ambassador Summer Internship Program Update
SUMMARY:
The Department of Human Services Ambassador Summer Internship Program provides currently enrolled college students with professional opportunities and innovative career exploration through paid internships, peer-to-peer networking sessions, and community service projects. Program participants are placed with government entities, nonprofit agencies, and private organizations to gain experience in high-demand occupations in an effort to attract San Antonio's graduating professionals to career opportunities within the local community.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Ambassador Program began in FY 2005 with a as a workforce initiative to connect 30 college students with paid summer employment opportunities throughout the San Antonio community. The initial intent of the program was to encourage college-educated students who attended higher education institutions outside of San Antonio to pursue their careers in San Antonio, thereby increasing the quality of the city's workforce.
Since 2005, the Ambassador Program has grown from 30 students to 172 students participating this summer. The Ambassador budget increased from $90,000 to $477,000 over the same time period through budget increases in FY 2011, FY 2014, and FY 2017.
Since 2012, the overall satisfaction rate for both students and employers has been over 90% based on exit surveys provided at the end of the program each year. The most recent alumni tracking data suggests that the majority of former Ambassadors have returned to or remained in San Antonio permanently since completing their degree. In a 2017 alumni survey completed by 142 former Ambassadors, 61% currently reside in San Antonio, the majority of whom indicated the Ambassador program influenced their decision to return or stay in San Antonio to ...
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