The internship became the ‘proper launching pad for a fantastic career’

Employers across the united states of America have hired or are hiring summer season interns. For agencies like AT&T, internships are all approximately turning ‘students into day after today’s leaders’ via giving them ‘the right launching pad for an awesome career.’

fantastic career

Almeria Simmons (status left inside the image) is now a senior network planning engineer. She started painting as an intern at AT&T all through the summertime of 1986. Through the internship program, she met numerous experts who have become her mentors. After graduating from college, Simmons landed a full-time position at AT&T with assistance from those mentors.

“I started my career with AT&T within the summertime of 1987. With education supplied through the business enterprise, I could stay hired with AT&T,” she informed US Black Engineer magazine.

Through an AT&T non-stop gaining knowledge of software with Udacity, Simmons recently finished introductory coursework in records evaluation. She additionally plans to refresh her mastery of data.

“The destiny lies in these areas, and I would like to maintain my career for several extra years,” she stated.

During the BEYA STEM Conference in February, Simmons acquired the Dr. Lydia W. Thomas Legacy Award, named for the 2003 Black Engineer of the Year, the second girl to earn this prestigious award. As a former president and CEO of Noblis, Thomas becomes responsible for the route of the employer’s new and rising technologies.

The presenter of the 2019 Lydia W. Thomas Legacy award turned into Theresa Spiraling (status right), associate director for diversity and inclusion at AT&T, and chief executive of Women at AT&T. More than 17,000 individuals are strong; the countrywide worker aid institution inspires girls in the telecommunications agency to acquire their goals.

“Almeria Simmons has spent 31 years at AT&T,” Spiraling said in her speech. “She gives returned thru AT&T, her church, and sorority.”

Growing up the oldest of four kids, Simmons stated her single-discern Mom stressed the significance of education. After graduating as valedictorian of magnificence, younger Almeria’s difficult work opened doors to possibilities with a full-experience scholarship.

“I knew I desired an exciting activity,” Simmons told US Black Engineer. “But extra importantly, I wanted to earn money to help my family. I studied numerous articles and decided (on) math or engineering.”

Simmons graduated from Jackson State University with a bachelor’s degree in arithmetic and a minor in pc technology. She is the mom to twin sons and a daughter, all of whom have attended university.

Through AT&T’s community outreach programs, she volunteers to serve at local colleges. She also helps her alma mater because she would like to peer them hold to provide schooling for next-technology college students. Simmons is energetic in the East Point College Park alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a sorority of more than 200,000 college-educated women devoted to the carrier in programs focusing on the African American community.

“I currently serve as co-chair of our Educational Development Committee,” Simmons stated. “With this ability, I can even initiative packages for middle and high school college students. I am also concerned aboutout several activities with my churwn family,” she said.