This summer, interns across the greater:SATX network are gaining firsthand experience in the industries, organizations, and careers helping shape the future of the San Antonio region.
For many, it is their first opportunity to work in a professional setting, collaborate with colleagues, contribute to meaningful projects, and see how classroom learning translates into real-world impact.
Those experiences are part of a broader effort to develop the region's next generation of talent. Through initiatives like the SA WORX High School Summer Internship Program and other work-based learning opportunities, greater:SATX helps connect students with employers, organizations, and mentors who can provide early exposure to the workplace and potential career pathways. Since 2015, SA WORX has served more than 53,000 young San Antonians, engaged more than 1,200 employers, partnered with 19 school districts, and generated more than $7 million in cumulative youth wages through internship programming.
While the numbers tell an important story about scale, the impact is often best understood through the experiences of the students themselves. From workforce development and economic opportunity to operations, research, advanced industries, and business engagement, interns across the region are gaining practical skills while developing a clearer understanding of where they want to go in the future.
We asked the interns at greater:SATX to reflect on their experience so far, including what they have worked on, what they have learned, and how the experience has shaped their view of potential careers.
Emma Baugh, greater:SATX Intern
“My favorite part of the internship has been experiencing the workplace environment for the first time and seeing how different teams collaborate. I’ve been working on projects like developing tours of San Antonio, one focused on the city’s history and culture, and another designed to introduce college students to different industries across the region. I’m looking forward to continuing that work and helping connect students to opportunities across San Antonio’s workforce.”
For Emma, the experience has offered a firsthand look at how organizations connect people, places, and opportunities throughout the region while helping students better understand the industries driving San Antonio's growth.
John De Hoyos, Operations Intern, greater:SATX
“One of the most valuable parts of my internship has been working behind the scenes and seeing how different teams contribute to the organization’s mission. I’ve had the opportunity to support onboarding, assist with application and interview review, and contribute to HR-related projects. It’s given me a better understanding of how an organization operates day to day and how that work connects to advancing economic opportunity in the region.”
While Emma’s experience focused on industry exposure and regional engagement, John’s internship provided insight into the operational side of an organization and the work required to support employees, programs, and long-term goals.
Julie Phan, Business Retention & Growth Intern, greater:SATX
Through her internship with the Business Retention & Growth team, Julie Phan has gained a clearer understanding of how business investment, workforce development, and industry growth shape the region's economy.
“As an intern with the Business Retention & Growth team, I've enjoyed gaining a deeper understanding of how economic development extends beyond business attraction to include business retention, strategic investment, workforce development, and long-term regional growth,” Phan said.
During her internship, Phan has contributed to business engagement research, analyzed industry trends, supported the SA Business Signals Report, and explored growth opportunities using tools such as Lightcast, D&B Hoovers, and SEC filings.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience has been learning how finance, engineering innovation, commercial real estate, workforce development, and market trends all influence regional growth,” she said. “I'm excited to continue contributing to meaningful projects and learning how greater:SATX helps position the San Antonio region for long-term economic success.”
For Phan, the experience has helped connect what she's studied in the classroom to the realities of economic development while providing a deeper understanding of the factors that influence business growth and investment decisions.
Ty Tran, Insights & Enterprise Systems Intern, greater:SATX
Ty Tran's internship has provided a behind-the-scenes look at how data and technology support economic development efforts across the region.
Working with the Insights & Enterprise Systems team, Tran has helped organize and validate data within Salesforce, support data management initiatives, and contribute to projects that strengthen the organization's business intelligence capabilities.
“Despite my role, I've found it easy to see the different facets of what economic development really encompasses,” Tran said. “Learning about the many moving pieces involved in supporting and growing businesses has given me a broader perspective on what I may want to pursue in the future and the impact that work can have.”
One of the biggest takeaways has been seeing how people, systems, and technology work together to support larger organizational goals.
“My favorite part has been seeing the human side of the work and how different roles contribute,” he said. “It's exciting to see all of these systems working together and understand how they help shape the bigger picture.”
For Tran, the experience has highlighted how data, technology, and collaboration support the work happening behind the scenes at organizations across the region.
While some interns are gaining exposure to economic development, operations, and technology, others are building professional skills and gaining a firsthand look at the relationships and partnerships that help drive growth across the region.
Syncere Sanchez, Investor Relations Intern, greater:SATX
For Syncere Sanchez, the internship has provided an opportunity to learn more about investor relations while gaining experience in a professional office environment.
“I've enjoyed learning about the field of investor relations and experiencing what it's like to work in an office setting,” Sanchez said. “One experience that stood out to me was attending the Q2 Investor Meeting, where I had the opportunity to see firsthand the impact the greater:SATX team has had across the San Antonio region and their dedication to creating more opportunities for the community.”
Through her work as an Investor Relations Intern, Sanchez has gained a deeper appreciation for the relationships and partnerships that help support economic development efforts throughout the region.
“I hope to continue gaining valuable experience and developing skills that can help me in my future career through the work I am contributing here at greater:SATX,” she said. “I'm excited to continue growing in my role throughout the rest of the summer.”
For Sanchez, the experience has provided exposure to a side of economic development that many people never see, offering insight into how organizations build partnerships, engage stakeholders, and support long-term growth across a region.
“One of the most rewarding parts of this work is seeing students gain confidence as they move through these experiences,” said Trisha Garza, Workforce Development Manager at greater:SATX. “Whether they're exploring a career for the first time, building professional skills, or returning for additional opportunities, internships help students better understand what's possible and how their interests connect to future careers.”
While the impact is often most visible in the experiences of individual students, the benefits extend beyond the participants themselves.
“The value of work-based learning goes far beyond a single summer. These experiences help students build skills, expand their networks, and gain a better understanding of the opportunities available across our region,” said Josh Scott, Senior Vice President, Talent & Workforce at greater:SATX. “At the same time, employers have the chance to engage future talent early and help shape the workforce they'll depend on in the years ahead.”
Looking Ahead
While each intern's experience looks different, they've all gained something beyond the work itself, a better understanding of the opportunities available to them and the paths they may want to pursue in the future.
For students, those experiences can build confidence, create new opportunities, and provide greater clarity about future educational and career decisions. For employers, they represent an opportunity to engage emerging talent early and help shape the workforce San Antonio will depend on in the years ahead.
As the region continues to invest in work-based learning opportunities, these experiences remind us that talent development is not just about preparing students for future careers, it is about helping them discover what is possible today.