NAF event highlights student opportunities, business partnerships

A recent NAF Dallas Partner Engagement Event kicked off the internship planning season and celebrated the achievements of the Dallas business community in supporting youth as they prepare to enter the business world.

More than 60 business partners and corporate executives from across Dallas attended to learn how they can hire NAF interns and conduct Future Ready Labs. The event was hosted by Capital One and included guests from ATamp;T, Verizon and Hilton, among other major companies.

In partnership with Dallas ISD, NAF has had a strong presence in the city for the past decade. This school year alone, there are 10,676 NAF students enrolled in 47 academies. In 2018, 99 percent of NAF seniors in the Dallas area graduated and 82 percent plan to go to college.

“On my most recent visits to Conrad and Adamson high schools, the impact of NAF academies was readily apparent," Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said. "You could feel the enthusiasm and support for the NAF program immediately.”

Dallas is just one of the many cities where business partners provide internships to NAF students.

“We are thrilled to work in a space like Dallas that has such great support from the business community, as well as other organizations that have the same goals as NAF,” said Brenda Barry, NAF Chief Program Officer.

NAF awarded Capital One, one of the nation’s Top 10 largest banks, the first-ever Internship Champion Award. Introduced this year, the award celebrates a company that goes above and beyond to provide internships to NAF high school students. Capital One has been a partner with NAF for ten years, helping shape the future workforce. Marc Reed, Executive Vice President amp; Chief Administrative Officer of Verizon and NAF Board member, presented the award at the annual NAF Dallas Corporate Partner Engagement Event.