Birmingham's Premier High School Internship Program
Real-World Corporate Work Experience
Holy Family Cristo Rey is where education meets experience. Our students graduate with both a diploma and a résumé. Through our Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), students gain four years of real-world experience, while companies engage in transformational change by investing in Birmingham’s future workforce.
How It Works:
- Professional Internship Experience: Students work four full days per month in entry-level roles at top companies, connecting education to professional success
- Corporate Partners Fund Education: Students earn a third of their tuition, ensuring affordable access to a high-quality private school education
- A Mutually Beneficial Model: Students gain professional skills, networks, and career exposure, while companies build a pipeline of committed, motivated talent.
As Cristo Rey founder John P. Foley, S.J., would say, the Corporate Work Study Program is the "secret sauce" that makes our model work—students take ownership of their education and their future, while companies play a direct role in shaping the next generation of leaders.
CWSP Staff
Hire Cristo Rey Student Associates
Build Talent. Strengthen Communities.
Why Partner with Cristo Rey?
- Advance Opportunity: Make college-prep education accessible while closing opportunity gaps through hands-on professional experience
- Develop Birmingham's Workforce: Early engagement builds talent pipelines, boosts long-term retention, and helps shape students' career interests
- Develop Your Team: Supervisors grow through mentoring—sharpening their leadership, communication, and evaluation skills with support from the CWSP team
How Your Company Benefits
- Workplace-Ready Talent: Students participate in intensive technical and soft skills training before they ever step into your office and arrrive ready to contribute
- A Smart Investment: A four-student team provides the value of a $36,979 entry-level employee at just $32,000—saving your organization nearly $5,000 annually
- Purpose Meets Performance: Students grow into confident, capable professionals while your team gains support, fresh energy, and makes a lasting impact
Partnering with Cristo Rey isn't just an investment in students—it's an investment in your company's future.
Learn More
Corporate Work Study Program Information
Four Students Per Full Time Job
How Does It Work?
At Holy Family Cristo Rey, the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) provides students with real-world work experience while offering companies a cost-effective way to build a committed and motivated workforce.
A Full-Time Job, Shared by Four Students
- Each work-study team consists of four students (one per grade level), rotating through a four-day week to cover a full-time, entry-level position
- Students work four full days per month, ensuring consistent coverage for the employer without missing academic instruction
- Corporate partners contract with CWSP for a competitive annual fee, covering student work from mid-August to mid-May
A Seamless Experience for Employers
- No HR Headaches: Students are employees of the Corporate Work Study Program, not the corporate partner, eliminating payroll, tax, and liability concerns
- Fully Trained & Workforce Ready: Throughout the school year, students participate in soft and hard skills training as part of our Professional Skills Academy
- Meaningful & Productive Work: By handling the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep teams moving, students allow professionals to focus on strategic priorities—all while developing real-world skills in the process
The Cristo Rey Network's CWSP model is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, ensuring full compliance with work-study regulations.
What Do Student Associates Do at Work?
Student associates make a real impact. HFCR students work in a variety of industries, handling professional tasks that contribute to daily operations. Select a job category below to see examples of student responsibilities.
Office Services
HFCR student associates support daily office operations with key tasks, including:
- Sorting, delivering, and preparing mail
- Maintaining schedule for appointment rooms
- Preparing rooms for meetings
- Scanning, organizing, copying, and filing documents
- Auditing and shredding files
- Tracking inventory and restocking office supplies
Information Technology
HFCR student associates provide technical support and assist with IT operations in key areas, including:
- Providing basic technical assistance such as troubleshooting hardware/software issues and answering questions
- Tracking equipment inventory, allocation, and reallocation
- Imaging devices, installing new software, and removing viruses from hard drives
- Helping with the setup, installation, and maintenance of computer hardware, peripherals, and networking equipment
- Creating and updating technical documentation and user manuals
Human Resources
HFCR student associates assist HR teams with onboarding, employee records, and administrative tasks, including:
- Compiling new hire packets and assisting with orientation paperwork
- Filing HR information, including preparing files and filling boxes for archiving
- Scheduling training/initiative sessions, tracking participation, and organizing materials
- Distributing company announcements, providing information about HR policies and procedures, administering employee surveys, and gathering feedback
- Helping clean up and organize transitional workspaces
Finance & Accounting
HFCR student associates support finance and accounting teams with data entry, document management, and financial processing tasks, including:
- Entering data of financial transactions into accounting software and reconciling accounts
- Coding, scanning, and batching documents for shipment
- Invoice processing, data organization for AP/AR, e-filing
- Preparing check deposits and filing check confirmations
- Reviewing documents for compliance, conducting audits, or assisting with reporting
Legal
HFCR student associates support legal teams with case management, contract administration, and document processing, including:
- Tracking inventory, checking-in, and distributing materials within a law library
- Indexing and closing legal records for long-term storage
- Assisting with research related to legal compliance, regulatory requirements, and applicable industry standards
- Managing calendars, scheduling meetings, and organizing files and documents
- Assisting with case management tasks such as maintaining case files and tracking deadlines
Healthcare
HFCR student associates support healthcare teams with patient coordination, administrative tasks, and compliance tracking, including:
- Maintaining patient medical records including organizing files, entering data into EHR systems, and ensuring accuracy and confidentiality of patient information
- Performing front desk duties such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, and checking in patients
- Assisting in clinical laboratory settings by preparing specimens for testing, restocking lab supplies, and data entry
- Assisting with patient transport such as escorting patients to and from appointments, procedures, or diagnostic tests
- Preparing and delivering supplies, records, and other items throughout the facility
Marketing & Business Development
HFCR student associates support marketing and sales teams with content creation, client engagement, and digital strategy, including:
- Assisting with social media management tasks such as creating and scheduling posts, responding to comments, and identifying engagement opportunities
- Supporting email marketing by assisting with list management, creating email templates, and drafting email content
- Assisting with marketing events including the table set up, dispersal of materials, and preparing nametags and folders
- Supporting CRM activities by assisting with data entry, updating customer records, and segmenting email lists
- Preparing collateral and presentation materials
Development & Philanthropy
HFCR student associates support non-profits and fundraising teams with data entry, donor engagement, and administrative tasks, including:
- Maintaining databases by entering new donor information, tracking volunteer hours, updating records, and ensuring accuracy
- Assisting with communication efforts by drafting internal newsletters and thank-you letters
- Supporting the processing of donations including issuing donation acknowledgments and receipts
- Assisting with program implementation by organizing materials, filing documents, and managing calendars
- Assisting with the preparation of impact reports through data entry, documentation efforts, and conducting audits
Not seeing your department or industry? Let's build a custom plan
Cristo Rey students have successfully contributed to roles in non-profit outreach, event planning, education, research, logistics, and more. If you're unsure how a student associate might fit in with you team, we can help.
Let's talk about your goals. Our Corporate Work Study staff will work with you to develop a custom placement plan that aligns with your department's needs while giving a student meaningful, real-world experience.
Call us today at (205) 201-1171, email bciger@hfcristorey.org, or fill out our interest form at the link below.
What are the advantages of partnering with the Corporate Work Study Program?
Partnering with Holy Family Cristo Rey’s CWSP is more than a staffing solution — it’s a strategic investment in your company and in Birmingham’s future workforce. Benefits include:
- Cost-Effective Task Support: Student Associates are employed by CWSP, not your company — saving you time and money on recruiting, payroll, and benefits
- Workforce Development: You help train and mentor future professionals while gaining support with essential, day-to-day tasks that keep your team moving
- Early Access to Committed Talent: First-generation college students are more likely to return home than other college graduates, so HFCR students bring back experience, loyalty, and institutional knowledge of Birmingham-based organizations
What are the responsibilities of a corporate partner?
As a CWSP partner, your role is to provide students with a professional, supportive environment where they can learn, contribute, and grow. Specifically, partners are asked to provide:
- A Clear and Structured Workplace: Set expectations, establish routines, and offer a welcoming space where students can thrive
- A Dedicated Supervisor: Assign a point person to mentor the student, provide feedback, and serve as a consistent guide throughout the year
- Meaningful Work: Offer real tasks that support your operations—especially those that free up your staff to focus on higher-level responsibilities
Who supervises the student associates at work?
Each Student Associate is paired with an on-site Supervisor selected by the corporate partner. This Supervisor provides daily guidance, sets clear expectations, and mentors the student throughout the year.
CWSP staff supports supervisors every step of the way—offering onboarding, monthly check-ins, training resources, and 1:1 coaching to ensure a smooth, successful experience for both the student and the organization.
How does CWSP ensure a successful experience for both students and partners?
CWSP takes a hands-on approach to support student growth and partner success. We stay closely connected through:
- Weekly Digital Timecards: Students reflect on performance and supervisors provide feedback
- Monthly Check-In Calls: Quick, personalized conversations to address questions and celebrate progress
- Regular Site Visits: CWSP staff visit each partner twice per year to observe, support, and strengthen the partnership
- Performance Evaluations: Students receive formal feedback twice per year to guide professional growth
- Academic Credit: Participation in CWSP is built into students' coursework—reinforcing the value of workplace learning.
If a Student Associate's performance does not meet expectations, CWSP staff will work with the company to resolve concerns or arrange a replacement if necessary.
What kind of work can Student Associates perform?
Student Associates support a wide range of entry-level tasks that keep your office running smoothly. Their contributions are tailored to your team’s needs and may include administrative, organizational, or project-based work.
Whether it’s managing documents, assisting with internal communications, supporting department workflows, or helping with translation, students take on the essential tasks that free your staff to focus on higher-level priorities — ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks.
Need a customized job role?
Before each school year begins, CWSP staff meet with every partner to plan meaningful, age-appropriate job responsibilities for their Student Associate. These collaborative meetings ensure that tasks align with your organizational needs while providing students with valuable, skill-building experiences. We work with you to create a clear, structured role that sets everyone up for success from day one.
Can student associates work during school breaks?
Yes! Student associates can work during Christmas and summer breaks through special employment arrangements with CWSP. Contact CWSP staff at 205.201.1171 for details.
How do student associates get to work each week?
CWSP provides transportation for all scholars to and from their job placements.
What if we don't have a full-time position available but still want to participate?
No problem — CWSP is built to be flexible. Our team will work with you to create a job structure that fits your workplace needs. Options include:
- Part-Time Positions: One or two Student Associates, rather than a full team of four, can come in on only the days that extra help is needed
- Department Rotations: Student rotate between departments, gaining broad exposure while supporting multiple teams
- Non-Profit Placement Partnerships: If you'd like to sponsor a student but can't host them onsite, we'll place them at a local non-profit of your choice
Interested in partnering with us?
Contact CWSP at 205.201.1171 for more information or complete the Corporate Partner Interest Form at the link below.
Corporate Partner Interest Form
