Local high school students are gaining meaningful experiences and early career training through the University of Memphis’ partnership with the City of Memphis MPLOY summer program. The program runs June 1 through July 10 where 40 students — nearly double the amount from last year — are making connections, networking with other interns and getting mentorship from supervisors.
“Through our partnership with the City of Memphis MPLOY Program for over a decade, we have provided Memphis youth with real-world experiences, professional development skills and lasting connections,” Maria Alam, chief human resources officer at the UofM said. “This program has prepared them to represent themselves, the City of Memphis and the UofM with excellence. One of the outcomes we are most proud of is being able to show these youth all the UofM has to offer not just as an employer but as an institution of higher learning which has led some of them to select the UofM as their educational choice.”
Outside of their assigned departments, MPLOY student interns meet as a group to take tours around campus and hear presentations from Human Resources, Admissions, Athletics, Residence Life, and Student Academic Success. Tours have included the Penny Hardaway Hall of Fame, the newly opened Edwards Research and Innovation Center, Shirley C. Raines Centennial Place, and more.
“Participating in MPLOY gave me the opportunity to experience the University of Memphis firsthand,” said Kingston Robinson, now a UofM sophomore majoring in sports management. “I was able to interact with faculty, staff and students who made me feel welcomed and supported. Seeing the campus environment and the opportunities available confirmed that UofM was the right place for me to continue my education.”
He still keeps in touch with many of them today. “Mr. Tim Duncan. (senior deputy athletics director for men’s basketball), Ms. Haley Prewett (executive associate athletic director/CFO for women’s basketball and men’s tennis), and Ms. Vanessa Brocks (assistant director of the Academic Advising Center) encouraged me throughout the program. I still stay in touch with some of them, and they continue to offer advice, support and guidance as I work toward my career goals.”
Christopher Clark, residence life international student services coordinator, is serving as a first-time supervisor this summer for two MPLOY students.
“I think this has been a great opportunity for high school students to get a behind the scenes look of what the college experience looks like. I have loved taking the opportunity to be a mentor to those I supervise and build an experience that supports their interest. During their first two weeks, one of them got the opportunity to work with the executive director to do a facilities walk of Victory Park, our new residence hall, and to shadow our facilities staff all because he mentioned he had an interest in construction and building repair,” Clark said.
“The second intern got the opportunity to meet different people in our department to learn about what they do and why it is important. She is on her way to start her freshman year in August and wanted to learn more about housing. We tried to equip her with the understanding of processes and help prepare her for the first-year college experience. Through this, they have both learned about the on-campus living experience.”
Robinson had a similar experience when he participated in the program, completing his internship with UofM Athletics. “My MPLOY internship with Athletics showed me how much work goes into managing athletic programs beyond what fans see on game day. I enjoyed seeing the business, operations and leadership side of sports, and it helped me realize that I wanted to build a career in that field. That experience played a major role in my decision to major in sports management.”
Pearlina Ivory, admissions counselor, gets to make a direct impact on future Tigers through the program as someone who works in undergraduate admissions and college access. “I can’t think of a better way to measure the impact of the University of Memphis than through the experiences of the young people we serve,” she said. “Through the MPLOY program, our youth have had the opportunity to go beyond simply visiting campus — they’ve experienced the University from the inside out.”
