Preparing Students for Success Through Real-World Internships
Philadelphia, PA, June 23, 2026 - Liguori Academy
Philadelphia, PA — At Liguori Academy, students don’t just learn about the workforce — they actively participate in it.
Through Liguori Academy’s internship program, 11th and 12th grade students work off-site part-time with local businesses and organization, gaining valuable hands-on experience while exploring potential career paths. These opportunities allow students to apply the professional skills they have been developing since 9th grade through workforce development courses, while building the confidence and preparing for life after graduation.
Thanks to funding from JEVS Human Services, Liguori Academy participates in Career Connected Learning PHL, a citywide initiative that provides Philadelphia youth with meaningful work-based learning opportunities and career exposure. This generous support enables Liguori Academy to compensate student interns for their work and assist with transportation costs, helping remove barriers to participation and ensuring students can fully engage in these transformative experiences.
Spearheaded by Liguori Academy’s Student Success and Postsecondary Team, the internship program has grown into a cornerstone of the school’s workforce development efforts. Through strong partnerships with local businesses and organizations, students are exposed to a wide variety of industries and career opportunities while developing the professional skills employers seek.
For Liguori Academy Student Success Coordinator Ms. Abby, the impact of these experiences extends far beyond graduation.
“It has been an amazing year with all of our internship partners,” she shared. “These opportunities would not exist without their generosity, hard work, and dedication to providing our students with invaluable work experiences.”
Liguori Academy also extends its gratitude to the Howley Foundation for its continued support of workforce development and certification programs. The certifications students earn during their time at Liguori Academy help accelerate learning, strengthen technical skills, and better prepare them for internships and future careers.
The success of the internship program can be seen through students like Dave, a member of the Class of 2026. After completing a two-year internship with Pincus Elevator Company through Liguori Academy, Dave received a full-time job offer with the company following his graduation in June. Upon successfully completing his probationary period, he will receive full benefits and begin the NAEC Certified Elevator Technician Training Program.
For Dave, the connection between his classroom experiences and internship opportunities played a critical role in shaping his future.
“I was enrolled in the Construction Cohort, which was by far my favorite class. I am excited to start with Pincus after graduation. Liguori has guided and prepared me for this pathway through my internship and the Construction Cohort. It taught me what it is like to be an elevator technician and helped develop my hand and power tool skills.”
Sean Flynn, Installation and Sales Professional at Pincus, had positive things to say about the internship program as well.
“Dave was one of our first interns last year. Not only were we impressed with his work ethic, but all of our team spoke very highly of him. Because of the internship program, students are prepared — whether its workforce, trade school, college, or military — students are ready to go and I think that’s super exciting.”
Dave’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible when students are provided with meaningful career exposure, hands-on learning experiences and strong support systems. His journey demonstrates the lasting impact of workforce development programming and the value of connecting education to real-world opportunities.
As Liguori Academy continues to expand its career readiness initiatives, partnerships with local businesses remain essential to student success. By opening their doors to interns, these organizations help students discover their passions, develop professional skills, and build pathways to rewarding careers.
Liguori Academy extends its sincere appreciation to all of the businesses and community partners that hosted interns during the 2025-2026 school year:
Interested in hosting a Liguori intern? Email advancement@liguoriacademy.org
Watch the video below to hear directly from members of the Class of 2026 about their postsecondary plans and how Liguori Academy internships helped prepare them for the future.
