By Dwayne Coleman
Kendall PettiesThe Birmingham Promise program continues to make a significant impact by providing local students with valuable work experience and educational pathways. Kendall Petties, a high school student with Birmingham City Schools, recently joined UAB's HR Talent Acquisition team, bringing enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to her fall internship opportunity.
"Kendall brought a lot of enthusiasm to the group,” said UAB HR Talent Acquisition manager Oscar Hunter. “She is committed and creative, always asking for more ways to make a positive impact.” Even though Petties is still in high school, “she brings us real-world experience,” Hunter explained. “We asked Kendall to help us understand today's youth, from where they want to go to what they want to do next with higher education and in the workplace."
Petties’ role involved providing insights into how young people look for jobs and what they seek in employment opportunities, Hunter said. "We asked her these questions: How do young people prefer to find jobs? Do they gravitate to searching QR codes or cell phones? Kendall gives us valuable perspectives on how younger people think and what they want in a job opportunity.”
Reflecting on her experience, Petties shared, "My biggest win is my experience of being able to work in a corporate office, because a lot of people my age don't get that experience, and they do not have the knowledge or opportunity.” Working with UAB’s Human Resources team “has influenced my career aspirations by showing me that I want to work in a fast-moving environment," Petties said.
Working with a Birmingham Promise intern
UAB departments and units interested in working with a Birmingham Promise intern should contact Oscar Hunter in Talent Acquisition and Temporary Services at oscarh@uab.edu or (205) 975-8359.
The Birmingham Promise/UAB HR Talent Acquisition alliance supports each entity's impact on the community, Hunter notes. Local high school students get real work experience and a paid internship. UAB gets to showcase its role as a community partner and, ultimately, a career destination for the best and the brightest.
“Programs like Birmingham Promise are vital in shaping the future of our communities,” Hunter said. “They help bridge the gap between education and employment, providing students with the skills and experiences necessary to thrive in their careers."
As Petties finishes her internship, UAB Human Resources acknowledges her significant contributions, and the positive impact of the Birmingham Promise Program. The experience has benefited her and reinforced UAB's mission to support and prepare students for future success, Hunter says.
"Watching Kendall grow and develop professionally has been a pleasure," Hunter said. "We have no doubt that she has a bright future ahead of her."
The partnership between UAB and Birmingham Promise exemplifies a shared commitment to fostering talent and creating opportunities for the next generation. UAB was the first academic partner to support the Birmingham Promise scholarship in providing a one-to-one tuition scholarship match to students admitted to UAB as first-time, full-time freshmen in the academic year following high school graduation from a Birmingham City School. Another aspect of Birmingham Promise is its internship program, which allows Birmingham City Schools seniors to earn $15 an hour while getting job experience and building professional networks.
By connecting Birmingham City Schools students with workforce experience as well as post-secondary opportunities, the program aims to enhance students’ economic mobility.
As UAB continues to Forge Ahead through its strategic plan, such collaborations remain integral to the university's vision of making a lasting, positive impact on the local and global community.
Learn more about Birmingham Promise scholarship requirements and eligibility at UAB.
