IGS Partners with Cristo Rey Columbus in School’s Professional Work Study Program
On Monday, August 31, IGS welcomed a team of four students into the building as part of a new partnership with Cristo Rey Columbus High School and its Professional Work Study Program.
Each student has been assigned to a specific department, spanning the likes of Marketing, Operations, Home Services, and IT. Until the end of the school year in mid-June, the students will join their team once a week, and on Fridays, they will alternate who comes in to help manage the Front Desk and other Facilities’ duties. The rest of their week will consist of rigorous college preparatory classes at the Cristo Rey High School in the heart of downtown Columbus.
The students will do real work during their time here at IGS, contributing to their own tuition expenses. It’s an innovative but proven model that is changing the lives of those who participate by helping them learn about the corporate world, connect their academic coursework to real world applications, and gain valuable skills that will serve them the rest of their lives. This is one of four years of corporate work experience that the students will have the chance to accumulate during high school.
The mission of Cristo Rey is to make a college-preparatory education accessible to students of all faith denominations in some of the most challenging economic circumstances. The Columbus location is the 26th of 30 high schools in the Cristo Rey network, and last year, 98% of its seniors graduated. All of the graduates were accepted into college, a reality that would have been almost impossible to achieve without the work-study program.
“Our students will be learning to work and working to learn,” said Jim Foley, Cristo Rey Columbus High School President. “By earning their own education, they will learn first-hand its value. By working in a professional setting, they will learn first-hand the importance of a college education.”
The IGS employees will also be positively impacted by these students as they will be able to share in their learning and development. The Cristo Rey-IGS partnership is just getting under way, and we look forward to the invaluable experiences it will afford both our employees and our group of sponsored students.
About Cristo Rey
Cristo Rey High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school with a Professional Work Study Program empowering young men and women of all faiths, from economically challenged families, to graduate from college and achieve a lifetime of success. Cristo Rey Columbus targets under-served youth in central Ohio.
About IGS
Founded in 1989, IGS has been a leading advocate for change in the energy industry with the goal of offering innovative energy choices to commercial, industrial, and residential customers. Through our dedicated companies, we expertly advise and help consumers make smart energy decisions that fit their individualized needs as they play a vital role in creating a sustainable energy future. Recently, the company was recognized by J.D. Power for ranking “Highest in Residential Customer Satisfaction with Retail Electric Service in Ohio”. For more information, visit us online.