Trystan Wright, a 17-year-old senior at Dysart High School in El Mirage, keeps busy.

He volunteers frequently, played basketball at Dysart until suffering an injury then joined DECA, a club preparing leaders and entrepreneurs for careers. He traveled across the country with DECA, ranking top three in a national competition, and is now the club president at DHS for 2023-24.

Despite these accomplishments, Wright struggled to land his first job.

“I’ve applied to six jobs and had three interviews but didn’t get any so that’s a little bit frustrating,” Wright stated in a press release.

His Dysart business and marketing teacher, Leslie Palombo, recommended a virtual internship offered through Center for the Future of Arizona’s Arizona Pathways to Prosperity in partnership with Work Based Learning Alliance.

The virtual paid internship connects high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with Arizona-based companies. The students work in teams guided by mentors and WBLA’s Practera to complete projects.

Wright was one of 27 students in the spring 2023 cohort, which worked for six employers from healthcare, economic development, energy, and more. Wright interned at Tucson Electric Power under Joanne Kingman, training supervisor for transmission and distribution operations.

During the six-week internship, Wright and fellow team members developed an updated retention and training program for TEP. They utilized artificial intelligence to formulate life-like scenarios and simulators to digitize on the job tasks.

Wright’s team stretched across the state, with some students in Tucson and Tempe.

“Not just in college but in the real world or any kind of job, it’s important to know how to work with different people,” Wright stated.
Virtual also eliminates other barriers to entry. An employer might not be able to house five interns in-person and students in rural areas might not be able to travel for internships.
According to the Arizona Progress Meters, 48% of Arizona residents ages 25-64 have completed a two or four year degree or have an active professional certificate or license. Yet, as of 2020, nearly 65% of all jobs in Arizona require more education after high school.
“Young people need to have an awareness of an education plan leading to careers in high-demand sectors with livable wages. Those jobs are usually aligned with high-demand sectors in regions that spur economic development in those regions and across the state,” stated Aaron Ball, CFA college & career pathways director, in a press release.
Wright stated that he feels relieved to complete the internship,
He stated that the internship helps him on his career pathway. After graduating from high school, he plans to study as a business major in hospitality and tourism, potentially at the University of Arizona.
“It was definitely an eye opener since I had never worked before.” Wright stated.
Arizona Pathways to Prosperity plans to host additional cohorts and hopes to reach more students and employers. To date 105 students and 15 employers participated.
Learn about the organization at www.arizonafuture.org/programs/workforce-programs/.

Chloe Ranshaw is the manager of marketing & communications at the Center for the Future of Arizona.