Gorton Welcomes New Cristo Rey Interns

We’re proud to welcome two new interns to our team this year through Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep High School’s Corporate Work Study Program. Meet Isaac and Janiyah, two motivated students who are spending part of their school year gaining real-world experience with us here at Gorton.

What Is the Corporate Work Study Program?

Cristo Rey St. Martin is known for its rigorous college preparatory curriculum, but what truly sets it apart is its Corporate Work Study Program, or CWSP. It’s a signature model, unique in the United States, that integrates four years of demanding academics with four years of hands-on professional work experience.

Students in the program largely self-finance their Cristo Rey education through their work placements, graduating with something a transcript alone can’t offer: real, beyond-the-classroom evidence that they’re college-ready and career-prepared. At the same time, CWSP helps address broader workforce development challenges by advancing minority candidates who bring both the social and technical skills needed to thrive in today’s knowledge-based economy.

Before students ever set foot in a workplace, Cristo Rey St. Martin hosts workplace readiness training to build foundational skills that transfer to any career. Once placed, students are supported by a dedicated CWSP staff member who works closely with the student and their site supervisor on an ongoing basis. Students arrive with a clear understanding of how they’ll be evaluated, which sets everyone up for success from day one.

We don’t just host these students – we partner with Cristo Rey St. Martin to build real relationships, matching each intern to a role where they can grow and contribute in meaningful ways. While at Gorton, interns learn a holistic view of all that goes on here, and they go deep into our marketing operations, learning applications and workflows they can add to their resume.

Meet Our Interns

Isaac, Class of 2029

Isaac is a math whiz who spends his free time at the gym playing basketball, cooking for friends and family, and playing video games whenever he gets the chance. Ask him about basketball, UFC fighters, music or WWE, and he could talk for hours. His best friend would describe him as happy, nice and friendly, though a bit shy and quiet at first. Isaac is exploring a range of career paths, from professional basketball to becoming a doctor who helps young people with cancer. He’s also interested in cooking. His recommended career clusters include business, management, IT and administration, health science, and architecture and construction.

Isaac is hoping this internship helps him build the experience and knowledge he needs to get into a good college, and we’re glad to be part of that journey.

Janiyah, Class of 2030

Janiyah’s interests span art, the brain, bike riding and music, and she lights up when the conversation turns to psychology, mental conditions or disorders. Her friends would call her funny, an ambivert, serious and creative, all at once.

Janiyah is interested in becoming a psychologist, art therapist or neuropsychologist, and her recommended career clusters include human services, law and public safety, and education and training. She’s hoping this internship opens up a new set of skills and helps her find work she genuinely enjoys, the kind of job she’ll want to come back to.

A Partnership We’re Proud Of

Isaac and Janiyah join us as part of a growing partnership between Gorton and Cristo Rey St. Martin, one built on the belief that every student deserves the chance to discover what they’re capable of, both in the classroom and out of it. We’re honored to play a small part in their journey and can’t wait to see all they accomplish this year and beyond.

If you see Isaac or Janiyah around Gorton this season, say hello. We think you’ll find them just as thoughtful, curious and hardworking as we have.

You belong here.