EXP Insider: Warming up to Spring Activities

For more information about the internship program, please contact Alesha Walker, Program Manager, Internship & Outreach, at alesha@expfuture.org.

EXP Internship Program needs YOU

The EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis kicked off in January and our 180 internship candidates need all the support we can give! Here's how you can help: 

Host an Intern

Attention businesses in the LA Harbor area, South Bay, Tustin, and Barstow! Please join us at our FINAL intern host informational session on Thursday, March 21, at 12 p.m. PST via Zoom to learn how hosting an intern can benefit your business and the ins and outs of becoming an internship host employer this summer.

Donate to the Internship Program Fund

Every dollar counts to ensure interns receive economic support during their summer internship. Fuel student access to future careers today!

Samantha Huerta, #LatinaGeeks Los Angeles President

EXP's Women in STEM Career Day

We are thrilled to welcome Samantha Huerta, #LatinaGeeks Los Angeles President and Digital App and Innovation Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, as keynote speaker at EXP's Women in STEM Career Day on February 29 at LA Harbor College.

As a first-generation college graduate and Latina Tech Professional, Samantha wants to give her time back to her community, share her story and lessons learned, and inspire the next generation to strive for more. Read her bio here. We look forward to watching Samantha inspire the next generation of STEM professionals!

Velinda Meza '04
Phineas Banning High School

Alumni Spotlight: Velinda Meza '04

Reliability Engineer for Boeing
Phineas Banning High School, International Trade

Velinda Meza’s journey to becoming a STEM professional “all started with that one summer internship.” She participated in EXP’s summer internship program and did her internship with the Port of Los Angeles. After graduating high school, Velinda accepted an offer to return to the Port and work in the Engineering Division. This experience inspired her to pursue a degree in Engineering.

Velinda now works as a Reliability Engineer for Boeing, supporting their Defense and Space programs and is an active EXP volunteer. We’re excited to have her return as our panelist at our Women in STEM Career Day next week!

“I feel like I owe my career to EXP,” she said. “If I could help even one student on their path to success as someone has helped me, then I have truly succeeded and passed on the torch to the next generation to do the same and succeed and help out the next group.”

Hey, alums! Connect with us through our Facebook and LinkedIn groups, sign up for an exclusive alumni email list, or email us at alumni@expfuture.org to get involved.

Oceans of Opportunity: Ignite the Future

Please join us to honor the dedication of our partners and volunteers and celebrate the achievements of our students and alumni at the 24th Annual Oceans of Opportunity Awards & Scholarship Celebration on Thursday, April 25, at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach.

  • Keeper of the Flame Award: DCLI

  • The Bill Stein Memorial Leadership Award: The Honorable Lawrence Dale, former Mayor of Barstow

  • Plus…The Carol Rowen 180 Degree Student Award and EXP Scholarship Recipients

For more information, please contact Jessica Ureña, Director of Development, at jessica@expfuture.org.

Say Hello to the Orange County Advisory Council

Special thank you to Orange County Fire Authority for hosting our first Orange County Advisory Council (OCA) planning meeting in January! As part of our initiative to expand, the OCA will provide key support in strategic planning, networking, and building our programming in Orange County high schools. 

The OCA members include:

  • Michael Amy, Engineered Industrial Products

  • Lisa Duylea, Director of Institutional Giving, Community Action Partnership of OC and Anaheim Commissioner, Housing & Community Development

  • Paxton Bowman, EDRAY

  • Maria Hernandez, Orange County Fire Authority

  • Stephanie Holloman, Orange County Fire Authority

  • Dr. Michelle Yanez, My Workforce Solutions

To learn more about the OCA, please contact Daisy Boeckmann, EXP Program Manager, Strategic Initiatives, at daisy@expfuture.org.

Save the Date: The Future is Working – March 21

Mark Thursday, March 21, on your calendar! The Future is Working Giving Day is a 24-hour fundraiser to develop a stronger workforce for Orange County. You can help us spread the word or start your own campaign today. EXP staff and board members are jumping in to get us to the $30,000 goal. $15,000 in matching grants has already been secured!

Gardena High School students at Loyola Marymount University Job Shadow Day.

Your Support in Action

Job Shadow Day at Loyola Marymount University

Earlier this month, 23 students from Gardena High School’s Global Business Magnet pathway explore college and career possibilities at Loyola Marymount University’s (LMU) Center for International Business Education (CIBE).

Guest Speaker Spotlight: Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes

79 students at Carson High School in the Global Business, Law, and Government pathway had the honor of having Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes as their guest speaker. She shared about her educational path and career choices that led to her leadership position. The students were so excited and inspired, they stayed after the session was over for more Q&A, photo opportunities, and hugs!

Would you like to host a job shadow day or guest speak at an EXP-supported high school? Learn about our volunteer opportunities here. Contact Devyn Dupree at devyn@expfuture.org for more info.

EXP Insider, Events, GeneralGuest UserEXP Internship Program, Women in STEM Career Day, OC Advisory Council, alumni spotlight, the Future is Working Giving Day, Oceans of Opportunity, Job Shadow Day, Guest Speaker