UTSA Students Participate in Prestigious H-E-B Corporate Internship Program

In just a short time, the Center for Student Professional Development already has several success stories in support of its mission of finding internships and employment opportunities for business students. UTSA students have interned with companies such as H-E-B, JPMorgan Chase and Merrill Lynch, to name a few.

Candyce Cantu, who graduated this May with an undergraduate degree in marketing, and Johnny Rios, a senior majoring in management, utilized the services of the center and received positions in H-E-B's corporate internship program working directly with Suzanne Wade, president of the San Antonio Food/Drug Retail Division. This 10-week internship involved more than just making coffee. Both have ridden on H-E-B’s corporate jet and have had the chance to meet top executives such as Charles Butt, chairman and CEO of H-E-B.

"The H-E-B internship program is a structured work/learning experience designed to let students get a realistic look at the retail industry and more specifically, H-E-B," said Wade, who serves on the executive committee of the college's Advisory Council.

Cantu hails from Harlingen as the eldest child in her family and the first to attend college. "Opportunities like this don't come along that often," said Cantu, whose dad worked for H-E-B for 15 years. "Working with the center, I did mock interviews and helped practice for my first serious interview."

Rios, a member of the Business Student Council, transferred to UTSA from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. Through his business fraternity, he received valuable training in professional development.

"Both Candyce and Johnny had the qualities we look for in management potential," added Wade. "Candyce is very organized and has great follow-up. Johnny had demonstrated leadership ability with his business fraternity and a genuine concern for others well-being."

"This is what an internship really should be," said Rios, who is new to the grocery industry. "It is a good opportunity to learn about the company, the industry and see if it's a good fit."