Frequently Asked Questions

Recent surveys in Memphis have shown that it has been increasingly difficult to find qualified employees in the Memphis area. The surveys have found that about 85% of the Memphis hiring pool is under-educated or under-motivated. The Education That Works program is changing that. By working with us, organizations are molding high school students into the type of employee that the company will one day want to hire. ETW students are becoming qualified in various areas and will continue to develop these skills as they go into college. With the help of our corporate sponsors, we are rebuilding the future hiring pool of Memphis with well-educated and motivated candidates. At the same time, companies are helping provide a college preparatory education to students who generally come from lower income backgrounds and might not otherwise have an opportunity to go to college or experience professional level jobs.

Students are working in variety of entry level type positions such as file clerk, data entry, runner or Human Resource Clerks. The students are capable of working in many different areas and are eager to learn the responsibilities associated with those jobs.

Each student or parent who is interested in the Education That Works Program should attend an open house in order to learn more about the school and the admissions process. Each student goes through a rigorous admissions process to ensure that the student and parent are committed to this program. Students must show that they are academically prepared by submitting transcripts and by taking standardized tests. If they pass that phase, then the student and their parents are invited to an interview. School faculty and the ETW staff interview the student and parents regarding their commitment level.

Once accepted into the program, students fill out a skill /interest form so that we know what type of industries students are interested as well as what skills they posses. Returning students will be asked to submit a resume with their interest forms. The student is then matched with the company’s skill requirements.

Students work five full days per month throughout the school year. Work begins in mid-August and concludes in late May.

The school day has been lengthened to accommodate the work/study schedule. Classes are now 55 minutes. Classes have been set up so that all core curriculum and elective classes are completed in the days the students are not at work. In addition, students begin the school year by attending a two week Business Boot Camp in late July.

For the past three years, 100% of our students have graduated from the school and approximately 98% have continued on to college.

No. Only 25% of our students are Catholic. The Catholic schools of the Diocese of Memphis, are committed to quality education regardless of a student’s faith, in an environment of spiritual, intellectual and moral formation, in which faith, culture and life are brought into harmony.

Absolutely. Students come to work on time and in business appropriate dress. Since the school is responsible for the transportation, ETW students arrive at work on time. At work, students are held accountable for their performance. In fact, mentors evaluate each student twice, once in November and the other in May. The ETW office reviews the evaluation with each student to help him or her improve in whatever areas are needed. In a recent evaluation, ETW sponsors said 87% of our students met or exceeded their expectation for both quality and quantity of work.

Every new student who attends Memphis Catholic High School goes through a two week Business Boot Camp that educates the students in a variety of professional classes, such as communications, team building, dress code, business etiquette, computers and office equipment, among others. In addition, each year returning students go through a one week refresher course. Throughout the school year, the directors of the ETW program work with the students on any skill areas that need to be developed or improved.

Since we expect our students are to be treated like employees, we encourage our sponsors to work with their interns to help correct any problems. In addition, we maintain an ongoing dialogue with sponsors, so that we can work cooperatively to address issues early. If all attempts to address problems fail, then the student can be fired. The student will then be brought back to school to work until their issues are resolved and a new student will be sent to work for the company.

We recommend you consult your tax advisor for donation requirements.

Organizations can choose their payment plans: a one time payment (September); semi-annual payments (September and January); quarterly payments (September, November, January, and March), or we can customize a payment schedule to meet your needs.

There are many ways that an organization can help even if its office cannot accommodate a student intern. Please contact Mimi Uhlmann at muhlmann@memphiscatholic.org or 901.276.1221, ext. 18.