For the past 15 years, Commodore Builders has partnered with Cristo Rey Boston (CRB), a Dorchester high school, to support student growth and post-secondary success through its Corporate Work Study Program. We spoke with Cristo Rey Boston and several Commodore employees to learn more about the program and its impact.

How Does the Corporate Work-Study Program Work?

Cristo Rey Boston is part of a national network of 41 Cristo Rey schools, all of which incorporate the Corporate Work Study Program into their curriculum.

The program matches students with a corporate partner for the duration of the school year. Students head to work one day a week in a variety of placements, ranging from healthcare to office support.

According to Jessina Baker, Senior Relationship Manager at CRB and alumna from the Class of 2019, the program runs from September through June and supports students from their freshmen year through senior year.

Baker explained that student assignments are based on both individual interests and the availability of corporate partners. Incoming freshmen students complete a survey to identify potential overlaps between their interests and work opportunities.

Freshmen also participate in Aspire, a professional development course designed to teach critical workplace skills. Training modules cover topics such as email etiquette, elevator pitch development, and basic proficiency with tools like Microsoft Outlook and Word. The course also helps staff get to know students better, allowing them to make more informed work-study placements.

Baker noted that each grade level has an assigned day to be on-site. Because partners are located throughout Massachusetts, transportation can sometimes be challenging. Students working in Boston are encouraged to use the MBTA, while those placed outside the city are transported by shuttle.

One of Baker and her team’s primary responsibilities is supporting both students and supervisors throughout the placement experience. They coordinate logistics, answer questions, and serve as a liaison between students and their managers.

Questions from students can range from what they should bring for lunch to appropriate workplace attire. Companies often seek guidance on the types of tasks students should be assigned or the hours students are expected to work. Baker and her team are there to help every step of the way.

Commodore’s Cristo Rey Experience

Commodore has partnered with Cristo Rey Boston for 15 years, with some students staying for several years and others participating for just one. Regardless of their tenure, Commodore is proud to play a small role in the success of the Corporate Work Study Program.

Colleen Carr, an Executive Assistant at Commodore, was among the first supervisors to work with students through the program. Her favorite part was the connections she built with the students she mentored. Carr was even able to attend a Cristo Rey Boston graduation ceremony.

“It’s really a special connection that goes beyond supervising them during their time at Commodore,” she said.

Kathleen MacInnis, Executive Business Partner, has supervised a number of students throughout Commodore’s partnership with Cristo Rey. While she finds it rewarding to watch students develop new skills during their time at Commodore, she says the most meaningful part is seeing how they apply those skills after high school.

“Seeing them flourish years after they leave is truly incredible,” she said.

MacInnis added that students gain exposure to the day-to-day operations of the company through meaningful assignments.

“All of the work I assigned was work that another employee would otherwise need to complete,” she explained, allowing students to make a genuine contribution to the team.

Commodore’s current Cristo Rey student, Carmelle, is supervised by our Newton Office Manager Bernardo Gubert. Gubert said Carmelle has had the opportunity to shadow many of his daily responsibilities, including restocking inventory, ordering business cards, managing office supplies, and assisting with the miscellaneous tasks that keep the office running smoothly.

One of his favorite moments is when students begin to understand the broader purpose behind their work.

“It’s amazing to see them understand their role and how they fit into the office culture.”

Although Carmelle is only the second Cristo Rey student Gubert has supervised, he looks forward to participating in the program for years to come.

For Carmelle, a junior at Cristo Rey, this is her second placement through the program after transferring to Cristo Rey from another high school following her freshman year. She said her experience at Commodore has helped her develop professionalism and gain confidence working in a corporate environment.

“It’s been easy to build relationships with people here,” she said.

Commodore is proud to be part of this meaningful program and its continued impact on students’ futures.

For more information about Cristo Rey Boston’s mission and programs, visit www.cristoreyboston.org.