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BUSINESS PARTNERS INVEST IN MIAMI – This summer, 120 National Academy Foundation (NAF) students participated in a paid summer internship program. NAF is a network of career academies within Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) and other schools across the country that focus on rigorous, career-themed curricula in the areas of Finance, Hospitality & Tourism, Information Technology, and Engineering. Juniors who have completed coursework in Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ NAF programs are eligible to apply for the program. This extension of the learning environment enables NAF students to see first-hand the connections between what they learn in school and the world of business. Students develop professional skills, gain self-confidence, and receive exposure to many different facets of the business world. This year, 61 businesses provided students a summer internship experience. When employers were asked what they liked best about the program, Nigel Whyte, Nova Southeastern University, Fischler School replied: “the opportunity to give a young, aspiring person the chance to learn new things, meet professional people and show them some of what the real world is about.” Frankie Bravo, Carnival Cruise Lines, adds that he appreciates “the ability to work with self-motivated individuals that take the initiative to work and learn; the intern pool looks very promising in the future.” Students appreciate the opportunity afforded to them. Rafael Anare, a student at Coral Reef Senior High School who completed his internship at John Hancock Financial Services says, “the internship opportunity is great in giving students a real life outlook on how businesses operate and it expands your knowledge about the intricate field of business.” The NAF Internship program was established in 1987, with the opening of the first NAF Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) at Miami Springs Senior High. Currently, there are 39 NAF career academies in 24 high schools, with M-DCPS ranking number one in the nation, offering the largest number of NAF academies in a school district. NAF students receive career-focused curriculum as well as real-world work-based learning, such as paid internships with experiences tied to a career theme. # # # 09-JJS/013/AP
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