INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Be the Role Model Students Remember
The College 1st Program is seeking exceptional undergraduate and graduate students, as well as emerging professionals, who want to develop their professional skills while making a meaningful impact in communities across Texas.
Since 2013, the College 1st Team has worked alongside students and families to expand what they believe is possible for their futures.
We believe students can only aspire to become what they know. That is why our College 1st Mentors introduce PreK–12th grade students to college opportunities, fast-growing career pathways, hands-on academic enrichment experiences, and the essential skills needed for College, Career, and Life Success.
But our Mentors do more than facilitate activities. They become the role models students remember.
College 1st Team "My Experience" Video
"Your Story Could Be the Reason a Student Believes in Their Future"
Launching rockets. Operating drones and rovers. Exploring health professions. Every CAMP is a chance to show students who they could become.
At College 1st, motivation and aspiration are created by students for students.
College 1st Mentors include undergraduate and graduate college students and professionals from diverse academic and career backgrounds who serve as facilitators, role models, and real-world mentors.
During a College 1st CAMP, you may find yourself helping students launch rockets, investigate a crime scene, operate drones and rovers, explore health professions, design architectural structures, develop a business idea, discover emerging technologies, or create their own College, Career, and Life Success plan.
Through these experiences, you help students connect what they are learning today with who they could become tomorrow.
You won’t just talk about college and careers.
You’ll help students experience what’s possible.
MORE THAN AN INTERNSHIP
Build Skills That Follow
You Into Your Career
The College 1st Internship Experience is designed for students seeking meaningful, career-relevant professional experience while making a lasting community impact.
As a College 1st Mentor, you will have opportunities to:
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Develop professional leadership, creativity, and communication skills
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Strengthen your public speaking and presentation abilities
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Facilitate hands-on academic enrichment experiences
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Mentor students as they explore college and career pathways
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Practice teamwork, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving
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Gain experience working with school districts, universities, education programs, and community partners
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Build confidence working with diverse student populations
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Develop experience in community outreach and student engagement
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Collaborate with a dynamic, mission-driven team
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Build professional experience that can strengthen your résumé, career preparation, and graduate school applications
Every CAMP is different. Every group of students is different. And every experience gives you another opportunity to grow as a professional and leader.
THE MOMENT THAT MAKES IT WORTH IT
Many College 1st Team members discover that the most meaningful part of the experience isn’t something they can put on a résumé. It’s the moment a student looks at them and says:
“I didn’t know I could do that.”
That moment represents what the College 1st Program is all about. Sometimes a student simply needs to meet someone who has attended college, pursued an exciting career, overcome challenges, or taken a path they never knew existed.
Your story could become someone else’s possibility.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Our culture is built around three core values:
Integrity
Do the right thing. Be dependable, respectful, accountable, and worthy of the trust placed in you by our students, partners, and team.
Excellence
Bring your best. Prepare thoroughly, communicate professionally, pay attention to details, and help us create exceptional CAMP experiences.
Growth
Stay curious. Accept feedback, challenge yourself, develop new skills, and continuously look for opportunities to become a better professional, leader, and mentor.
We especially value candidates who are:
INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Is This Right For You?
The College 1st Internship Experience is open to undergraduate and graduate students from diverse academic backgrounds. Professionals interested in serving as College 1st Mentors are also encouraged to apply.
Students from all majors and career pathways are welcome.
Strong candidates should demonstrate:
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Excellent communication, reading, writing, and presentation skills
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Experience collaborating on team projects
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Creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities
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Professionalism and a strong work ethic
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Willingness to facilitate activities and engage directly with students
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Ability to adapt to different CAMP environments and student populations
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Interest in leadership, mentorship, education, career exploration, or community impact
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Experience with community outreach programs, school programs, social media, photography, graphic design, video production, or digital media is preferred for certain positions but is not required
Because our team works directly with PreK–12th grade students, successful completion of required criminal background checks is mandatory.
WHERE CAN THE COLLEGE 1ST EXPERIENCE TAKE YOU?
Build Their Future.
Build Your Own.
College 1st is designed to create value in two directions. You help students build their future while building your own.
Former College 1st Team members have advanced into professional careers with organizations and industries including:
SpaceX • Intel • Toyota • Samsung • Texas Instruments • Halliburton • Doctors Hospital at Renaissance • Federal and State Agencies • School Districts • Engineering and Architecture Firms • Law Enforcement Agencies • Financial Institutions
Others have leveraged their professional and leadership experience as they pursued highly competitive medical, dental, law, residency, and graduate programs, including programs at:
University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) • Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin • JPS Health Network • UTRGV School of Medicine • UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry • Baylor University • Texas Christian University • New York University • and other institutions nationwide
Your College 1st experience can help you develop the communication, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and professional confidence that employers and graduate programs value.
WHAT SELECTED TEAM MEMBERS RECEIVE
A Professional Experience, Not Just a Line on a Resume
Paid positions. Real mentorship. A network that opens doors long after the CAMP ends.
Those selected to join the College 1st Team gain access to a professional experience built around leadership development and real-world responsibility. Depending on your role and performance, your experience may include:
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Exposure to diverse career pathways and professionals
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Opportunities to expand your professional network
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Letters of recommendation, when applicable
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Experience that can strengthen future employment and graduate school applications
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Paid professional experience
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Hands-on leadership opportunities
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Public speaking and facilitation experience
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Professional mentorship and feedback
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Community outreach experience
Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to contribute to something larger than yourself.
