Exploring STEM Careers: A Unique Summer Program for High School Students
From a tender age, Amy Viettry discovered the key to success in both her personal and professional life was to depend on her own grit and determination. She knew that to forge a path in the corporate world and in life, she would have to rely largely on herself. This early lesson shaped her character and laid the foundation for her remarkable achievements.
“My parents came here to America to create opportunity for me,” said Viettry, a Senior Program Manager at T-Mobile, “and they’ve pushed me to be successful on my own because they knew they couldn’t line up all the ducks for me.”
Growing up as the daughter of refugee immigrants from Vietnam, Amy faced numerous hurdles, with language being just one of them. From a young age, she bore the weight of responsibility when it came to her education and career aspirations. However, she never forgot the sacrifices her parents made to provide her with a better life in America.
Fast forward to today, armed with both a bachelor's and master's degree, Amy is on a mission to pave the way for others like herself. As a leader of a company program focused on high school students seeking support for their STEM career and educational goals, Amy is dedicated to helping others succeed. She believes that with hard work, determination, and a little bit of guidance, anyone can blaze their own trail and achieve greatness.
“We talk about networking all the time and it’s hard when you have to start with zero network,” she explains. “I don’t have parents who can say I know someone at this college to meet with you or someone at a company I can get you an interview with. I come from a low-income family that’s supporting me and my three siblings. I couldn’t afford college, so I started working right away at 18.”
In line with T-Mobile's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, the T-Mobile Explorer Prep Program provides a unique opportunity for early career talent. Over the course of two 8-week summer internships, students can gain invaluable on-the-job experience and earn a professional certificate in their field of interest.
But that's not all - the program sets students up for long-term success by offering eligibility for a full-time employment development role that unlocks tuition assistance for higher education. It's a pathway that not only jumpstarts careers but also provides access to higher education for those who may not have had it before.
As T-Mobile's first program manager for the Explorer Prep Program, Amy Viettry sees this initiative as a game-changer. She knows that the traditional route of going to college after high school isn't always accessible or equitable for everyone. That's why she's passionate about providing an alternative path for students to succeed and achieve their dreams in the technology industry. With the T-Mobile Explorer Prep Program, the sky's the limit.
“There are so many students that might be the first to try to go to college or who come from households that can't afford to pay for college and are fearful of going into debt from hefty student loans,” she says. “This program is there to support them. For me, this is obviously very close to my heart. I’m living proof this can work, even if it is untraditional.”
The T-Mobile Explorer Prep Program is currently available at select partner schools near the company's headquarters in Seattle and Kansas City. However, as the program's first manager, Amy Viettry is determined to expand its reach to benefit even more students in need.
We sat down with Amy to discuss the program's inner workings and her approach to ensuring it's as inclusive as possible. Through her experiences, Amy has gained valuable insights into the unique challenges that students from diverse backgrounds may face when pursuing careers in STEM fields. She's using this knowledge to create a program that offers opportunities and resources to all who need them, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Amy's passion for the Explorer Prep Program and her commitment to its expansion is a testament to T-Mobile's dedication to diversity and inclusion in the technology industry. Together, they're making a difference in the lives of young people and paving the way for a brighter future.
Amy Viettry's childhood was shaped by her parents' immigrant experience. Her mother is Chinese, and her father is Vietnamese, both of whom fled Vietnam as refugees during the Vietnam War. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood, Amy attended school in a more affluent, predominantly white neighborhood. Despite financial struggles, her parents worked tirelessly to provide for Amy and her three siblings.
Amy had to take on many responsibilities on her own that others' parents were handling for them, including filling out her own FAFSA and registering for school programs. Although challenging, these experiences taught her the importance of self-reliance and determination.
Despite her family's financial constraints, Amy started working at the age of 18 and joined T-Mobile in 2012. It wasn't until 2016, when she realized the benefits of her company's tuition assistance program, that she pursued her bachelor's degree. In 2020, after a decade of hard work, she finally achieved her goal.
Through her own experience, Amy understands the challenges that students from diverse backgrounds may face when pursuing higher education and career opportunities. As the first manager of T-Mobile's Explorer Prep Program, she's using her insights to create a program that offers support and resources to all who need them. With her determination and drive, she's paving the way for a brighter future for students of all backgrounds.
Introducing the Explorer Prep Program, a groundbreaking opportunity for high school students interested in pursuing a career in STEM. Developed by T-Mobile, this two-consecutive summer program offers students a chance to gain valuable exposure in the industry while earning a professional certificate in software engineering, cyber security engineering or user experience design.
We understand that choosing a career path can be daunting, especially for students who may not have the means to attend college. That's why we're committed to providing inclusive opportunities for all students, regardless of their background. Our program is designed to cater to both those who have a clear career goal in mind and those who are still exploring their options.
Our program provides a pathway to a successful career in the tech industry, even if the traditional path of attending college may not be an option. And with the help of our partner schools, we aim to build a pipeline of diverse, top talent at a younger age.
The application process is simple. We work closely with our partner schools to identify top student candidates who will participate in our Manager Match Event. Selected students will receive a paid summer internship during their junior and senior year of high school, as well as a two-year certification in their desired career track.
At T-Mobile, we know firsthand the value of investing in our employees' education and career growth. Our program manager, Amy, is living proof that this approach works. She's just completed her master's degree after taking advantage of our tuition assistance program. With the Explorer Prep Program, we're giving students the chance to jumpstart their careers and achieve their dreams.
Introducing a groundbreaking new approach to jumpstarting your career! Say goodbye to the traditional path of spending four years in university, only to cross your fingers for a job afterwards. Our program turns the usual model on its head, by offering a clear and focused path towards a fulfilling career that starts right in high school.
With our program, students take college courses in their senior year of high school and get a head start on internships during their summers. But this is no ordinary internship - it's a comprehensive summer experience that sets students on the right track for their future. Not only will you earn a specialized certification in your chosen field, but you'll also receive an exclusive interview for full-time employment with T-Mobile. And once you're part of the T-Mobile team, we offer tuition assistance for those who still want to pursue their bachelor's degree.
Our program is not just innovative, but it's also inclusive. We understand that not everyone has the means to go to a four-year university or accumulate large amounts of student loan debt. That's why we're committed to building a pipeline of diverse, top talent at a younger age. Our program is open to anyone with the drive and passion to succeed.
As the program manager, I'm proud to have implemented a new recruiting strategy that involves the whole family. We understand that parents play a pivotal role in their children's decisions, and we want to show them that there is another way. By attending our campus and meeting our team of professionals, we can help you find a pathway to career success that doesn't involve a traditional university education.
Join us today and see how we're disrupting the status quo of education and career paths. It's time to take control of your future and pave your own way to success!
“My parents came here to America to create opportunity for me,” said Viettry, a Senior Program Manager at T-Mobile, “and they’ve pushed me to be successful on my own because they knew they couldn’t line up all the ducks for me.”
Growing up as the daughter of refugee immigrants from Vietnam, Amy faced numerous hurdles, with language being just one of them. From a young age, she bore the weight of responsibility when it came to her education and career aspirations. However, she never forgot the sacrifices her parents made to provide her with a better life in America.
Fast forward to today, armed with both a bachelor's and master's degree, Amy is on a mission to pave the way for others like herself. As a leader of a company program focused on high school students seeking support for their STEM career and educational goals, Amy is dedicated to helping others succeed. She believes that with hard work, determination, and a little bit of guidance, anyone can blaze their own trail and achieve greatness.
“We talk about networking all the time and it’s hard when you have to start with zero network,” she explains. “I don’t have parents who can say I know someone at this college to meet with you or someone at a company I can get you an interview with. I come from a low-income family that’s supporting me and my three siblings. I couldn’t afford college, so I started working right away at 18.”
In line with T-Mobile's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, the T-Mobile Explorer Prep Program provides a unique opportunity for early career talent. Over the course of two 8-week summer internships, students can gain invaluable on-the-job experience and earn a professional certificate in their field of interest.
But that's not all - the program sets students up for long-term success by offering eligibility for a full-time employment development role that unlocks tuition assistance for higher education. It's a pathway that not only jumpstarts careers but also provides access to higher education for those who may not have had it before.
As T-Mobile's first program manager for the Explorer Prep Program, Amy Viettry sees this initiative as a game-changer. She knows that the traditional route of going to college after high school isn't always accessible or equitable for everyone. That's why she's passionate about providing an alternative path for students to succeed and achieve their dreams in the technology industry. With the T-Mobile Explorer Prep Program, the sky's the limit.
“There are so many students that might be the first to try to go to college or who come from households that can't afford to pay for college and are fearful of going into debt from hefty student loans,” she says. “This program is there to support them. For me, this is obviously very close to my heart. I’m living proof this can work, even if it is untraditional.”
The T-Mobile Explorer Prep Program is currently available at select partner schools near the company's headquarters in Seattle and Kansas City. However, as the program's first manager, Amy Viettry is determined to expand its reach to benefit even more students in need.
We sat down with Amy to discuss the program's inner workings and her approach to ensuring it's as inclusive as possible. Through her experiences, Amy has gained valuable insights into the unique challenges that students from diverse backgrounds may face when pursuing careers in STEM fields. She's using this knowledge to create a program that offers opportunities and resources to all who need them, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Amy's passion for the Explorer Prep Program and her commitment to its expansion is a testament to T-Mobile's dedication to diversity and inclusion in the technology industry. Together, they're making a difference in the lives of young people and paving the way for a brighter future.
Amy Viettry's childhood was shaped by her parents' immigrant experience. Her mother is Chinese, and her father is Vietnamese, both of whom fled Vietnam as refugees during the Vietnam War. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood, Amy attended school in a more affluent, predominantly white neighborhood. Despite financial struggles, her parents worked tirelessly to provide for Amy and her three siblings.
Amy had to take on many responsibilities on her own that others' parents were handling for them, including filling out her own FAFSA and registering for school programs. Although challenging, these experiences taught her the importance of self-reliance and determination.
Despite her family's financial constraints, Amy started working at the age of 18 and joined T-Mobile in 2012. It wasn't until 2016, when she realized the benefits of her company's tuition assistance program, that she pursued her bachelor's degree. In 2020, after a decade of hard work, she finally achieved her goal.
Through her own experience, Amy understands the challenges that students from diverse backgrounds may face when pursuing higher education and career opportunities. As the first manager of T-Mobile's Explorer Prep Program, she's using her insights to create a program that offers support and resources to all who need them. With her determination and drive, she's paving the way for a brighter future for students of all backgrounds.
Introducing the Explorer Prep Program, a groundbreaking opportunity for high school students interested in pursuing a career in STEM. Developed by T-Mobile, this two-consecutive summer program offers students a chance to gain valuable exposure in the industry while earning a professional certificate in software engineering, cyber security engineering or user experience design.
We understand that choosing a career path can be daunting, especially for students who may not have the means to attend college. That's why we're committed to providing inclusive opportunities for all students, regardless of their background. Our program is designed to cater to both those who have a clear career goal in mind and those who are still exploring their options.
Our program provides a pathway to a successful career in the tech industry, even if the traditional path of attending college may not be an option. And with the help of our partner schools, we aim to build a pipeline of diverse, top talent at a younger age.
The application process is simple. We work closely with our partner schools to identify top student candidates who will participate in our Manager Match Event. Selected students will receive a paid summer internship during their junior and senior year of high school, as well as a two-year certification in their desired career track.
At T-Mobile, we know firsthand the value of investing in our employees' education and career growth. Our program manager, Amy, is living proof that this approach works. She's just completed her master's degree after taking advantage of our tuition assistance program. With the Explorer Prep Program, we're giving students the chance to jumpstart their careers and achieve their dreams.
Introducing a groundbreaking new approach to jumpstarting your career! Say goodbye to the traditional path of spending four years in university, only to cross your fingers for a job afterwards. Our program turns the usual model on its head, by offering a clear and focused path towards a fulfilling career that starts right in high school.
With our program, students take college courses in their senior year of high school and get a head start on internships during their summers. But this is no ordinary internship - it's a comprehensive summer experience that sets students on the right track for their future. Not only will you earn a specialized certification in your chosen field, but you'll also receive an exclusive interview for full-time employment with T-Mobile. And once you're part of the T-Mobile team, we offer tuition assistance for those who still want to pursue their bachelor's degree.
Our program is not just innovative, but it's also inclusive. We understand that not everyone has the means to go to a four-year university or accumulate large amounts of student loan debt. That's why we're committed to building a pipeline of diverse, top talent at a younger age. Our program is open to anyone with the drive and passion to succeed.
As the program manager, I'm proud to have implemented a new recruiting strategy that involves the whole family. We understand that parents play a pivotal role in their children's decisions, and we want to show them that there is another way. By attending our campus and meeting our team of professionals, we can help you find a pathway to career success that doesn't involve a traditional university education.
Join us today and see how we're disrupting the status quo of education and career paths. It's time to take control of your future and pave your own way to success!
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