Over 10 years ago, Cor Jesu Academy established its innovative Corporate Partners Initiative (CPI). CPI enables students to explore beyond classroom walls and open doors to hands-on learning and future career discovery. Reflecting a wide variety of career areas, this initiative supports both current students and Cor Jesu alumnae.
In addition to enhancing and expanding Cor Jesu’s classroom and curriculum goals, CPI provides a dynamic offering of programs, scholarships, internships and academic support exclusive to Cor Jesu Academy students.
High School is the Time
As the cost of college tuition continues to rise, exposing high school students to a variety of career paths:
• Helps them discern the right fit for their gifts and passions
• Allows them to make informed choices about the college and major(s) they wish to pursue
• Provides a springboard to other self-directed opportunities
• Opens doors for internship and employment offerings
“If I had to capture one word to describe the Corporate Partners Initiative, it is exposure. Through hands-on engagement in career settings, these young women form a practical picture of how their strengths and interests translate to career paths, based on what careers look like inside real-world organizations. Just as they are trying to figure out their future, CPI is planting practical and insightful seeds, along with a robust network of professionals, to prudently guide next steps. This program is innovative, priceless and yet another factor that sets Cor Jesu and its students apart from other schools.”
–
ANN COOPER, PARENT
NOTE: Essential to the CPI mission, all programs are free of charge, ensuring that all Cor Jesu students have access to the opportunities offered.
Elizabeth Schimpf ’16, SBE Coach
exp3:
exposure, experience, exploration
Open to students at every grade level, the exp3 program allows Cor Jesu students to spend a day immersed in a career experience of their choice, interacting with professionals on-site and participating in hands-on activities at one of over 30 locations.
“I participated in multiple exp3 days while at Cor Jesu, and gained incredible exposure to and insight into potential career paths. Exploring possibilities in law, medicine and the sports and entertainment industry, I not only learned about each, but also discerned my own interests and strengths. The contacts I made through these experiences have directly led to internships now that I’m in college. It is amazing to gain so much professional guidance and ongoing career support from my high school!”
– JOSIE KEYROUZ ’21 PRE-LAW, ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY
LEFT: Anne Schweitzer ’06, exp3 Government & Politics site host
ABOVE: Kelly Wiese Niemeyer ’95, exp3 Marketing & Communications site host
“We had a another wonderful day with the students from CJ this year! It is always a pleasure to host these young women, who are exceptionally engaged and asked many questions throughout the day. My colleagues and I are extremely impressed with their curiosity and participation!”
– REBECCA TULLBERG, PFIZER
“For young individuals, experiencing the day to day of a potential career is essential. It’s in these moments that they can truly explore and discover their right fit. I cherish the opportunity to share our work at Mackey Mitchell with the young women from Cor Jesu Academy.”
– CHRISTINA BROWN, MACKEY MITCHELL ARCHITECTS
Summer Experiences
As the school year ends, the opportunity for in-depth discovery and exploration is just beginning for Cor Jesu students interested in learning more about careers in business, engineering or medicine.
Students are invited to participate in one of Cor Jesu’s Summer Experiences, which take place the first week of June and provide valuable experiential learning opportunities. Working closely with professionals, students gain exceptional career insights through handson activities that simulate real-world experiences and are then guided to apply learnings in relevant and meaningful ways that help direct their future.
Summer Medicine Experience (SME)
Cor Jesu’s exciting Summer Medicine Experience (SME) is an experiential learning adventure designed for students interested in pursuing careers in medicine. A team of physicians from various backgrounds and specialties offer students valuable information about the road to medical school and what lies beyond. Individual and small-group shadowing opportunities are built into the week to provide hands-on learning and valuable personal engagement with professionals in specific areas of interest. Group sessions include candid insights and engaging activities to aid students in discerning their future. This exciting week concludes with a Q&A panel and time for conversation and networking with professionals over lunch.
“SME gave me a unique opportunity to immerse myself into the world of medicine as a young high schooler. I was able to review films with a radiologist, observe surgical procedures close-up, and speak with physicians of all kinds. Everyone I had the privilege of observing or speaking with was so knowledgeable and so excited to help me. I gained insightful knowledge into the world of medicine as a whole, while also having individual shadow experiences picked for me. I know I couldn’t have gotten this experience at any other St. Louis area high school!”
– JOSIE O’BRIEN ‘26
Summer Engineering Experience (SEE)
Corporate partners from the engineering industry collaborate to provide students a five-day immersion in the field of engineering. Innovative activities and presentations promote student discovery and exploration across a variety of industry disciplines. Each day highlights a different engineering discipline through hands-on activities and in-depth interactions with professionals, allowing students to discover and explore all that being an engineer can mean. Students debrief with an accompanying program moderator throughout the week, applying program content to real-world challenges. The week concludes with student presentations and discussion to help distill the week’s learnings.
“I went to SEE week at Cor Jesu as a rising senior, trying to decipher my future. The unique career experience I had that week helped me confidently decide to study civil engineering, which allowed me to immediately dive into opportunities in college, including two internships, a director position in the Engineers Without Borders club, and research with my professors as a sophomore. Now, as a college graduate, I am starting my career with a company I explored during SEE week—an amazing full circle for which I am so grateful! ”
– NICOLE DEUTSCHMANN ’19
ASSISTANT DISTRIBUTION ENGINEER, BURNS & MCDONNELL
Summer Business Experience (SBE)
Corporate partners from various areas within the business sector team up for this exciting five-day immersion into the study and practice of business. The week actively engages student participants as it illuminates understanding about what majoring in business at the college level looks like, and how individual majors apply to eventual careers.
Each of the first four days of the week is hosted by a
targets key focus areas. Hosts utilize experiential learning techniques, allowing students to engage with professionals through the lens of realworld business scenarios.
Throughout the week, student teams are mentored by professional coaches who help apply daily content and guide students’ explorations and discovery. The week ends with team presentations and lively discussion to aid students in drawing conclusions about themselves and the week’s learnings.
“For me, SBE felt like a perfect next step after my exp3 visits, allowing me to dive deeper into the learning and true experience of what business careers look and feel like, and to get a better sense of specific areas I’d like to pursue. And we were given insights and advice from professionals that I feel will be super important in life, no matter what my future holds!”
– FIONA DURNIL ‘25
“SBE was one of my favorite things at Cor Jesu. It was an all-encompassing view into the business world and the experience played a large role in my college major choice. I learned so much from the business leaders who participated and have already applied what I learned during SBE in college and the interview process!”
–
ANNA MOEHN
‘22 ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE MAJOR, THE WHARTON SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Internships
&
Externships
St. Louis Pain Consultants
St. Louis Pain Consultants, one of the leading and most trusted pain management facilities in the St. Louis area, specializes in treating the causes of chronic pain. Passionate about helping their clients become whole again and committed to supporting education, St. Louis Pain Consultants offers several paid summer internships for Cor Jesu rising seniors or recent graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Interns work closely with medical professionals to assist in updating client medical records and transcribing client voicemails, while also engaging directly with clients and observing clinicals.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity than this! I was stretched to realize potential beyond what I imagined I was capable of, while also gaining invaluable knowledge and insights into what a career in medicine entails. This experience was life changing!”
– NAIDA REITENBACH ‘25
Blue Stars Therapy
Blue Stars Therapy provides early intervention services, including occupational therapy, speech language therapy and behavioral therapy for young children, aged 0-5 years, with autism and other developmental delays. Guided by the belief that each of their clients is a “star” and possesses unique strengths and qualities, BST’s mission is to unlock the developmental potential of each child through a positive,
The International Companies
The International Companies, a local, family-owned, multimillion dollar corporation with numerous research, manufacturing and distributing divisions within the food
sustained connection between caregiver and child. As a Cor Jesu partner, BST offers several summer internships to rising seniors and recent graduates interested in pursuing early childhood studies or therapy fields related to their practice. Committed to supporting development and growth, BST internships provide Cor Jesu students the opportunity to gain experience in an early intervention setting, working alongside a variety of professional therapists.
“The student interns bring a fresh perspective and youthful energy to our organization, while we have the privilege of guiding and supporting their personal and career growth. Our partnership creates a transformative experience for all involved.”
– BRIDGET HORMBERG ’09, OWNER, BLUE STARS THERAPY
“Our relationship with Cor Jesu is one of the most rewarding experiences our professionals enjoy. They love engaging with the future and getting to make a positive impact on it!”
– TONY ARMITAGE, VICE PRESIDENT OF PURCHASING, THE INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES
industry, offers paid summer internships for graduating Cor Jesu seniors. Learning modules within key subject areas are supported by various International Companies’ teams through instruction, independent study, handson activities and reporting.
Business and Entrepreneurial: Specifically designed to provide practical professional business exposure, entrepreneurial insights and hands-on experience to young women interested in pursuing the study of business at the college level.
Food Science: Provides students the opportunity to probe deeply into the field of both human and animal food science, working side-by-side with industry professionals
Kersting Veterinary Clinic
Established by Dr. David J. Kersting in 1992, the Kersting Veterinary Clinic provides exceptional health care for exotic animals, including birds, small mammals and reptiles, as well as canine and feline patients. Committed to the support of students interested in pursuing a veterinary education, Kersting Veterinary Hospital offers one summer externship for a rising Cor Jesu senior. During the externship, the selected student follows a veterinarian during clinical
appointments with patients, hospital treatments, diagnostic testing and surgery, and learns patient restraint in order to assist with clinic appointments.
MSMF Wealth Management
MSMF Wealth Management partners with clients in a personal way, gaining a true understanding of their life goals and then applying financial insight and experience to successfully guide them through life’s transitions. Committed to both supporting women professionals in the industry and to student mentoring, MSMF offers a
“The students enjoy the variety of exotic animals we see in addition to the loving dogs and cats. They are able to see behind the scenes into the life of a veterinary professional. We get to enjoy the youth, energy and enthusiasm of a student wanting to soak up the knowledge of veterinary medicine.”
– DR. DAVID J. KERSTING, FOUNDER, KERSTING VETERINARY HOSPITAL
paid summer internship to a rising Cor Jesu senior or a just-graduated alumna interested in pursuing a career in finance/business or financial
planning. Interns work closely with the MSMF team, gaining valuable insights about the wealth management industry and working with clients.
“My time at MSMF was an amazing opportunity to learn about both the client-facing side and behind-the-scenes activity within financial advising. The professionals with whom I worked were so welcoming and willing to share information and insights with me about their roles and professional certifications. I also had valuable exposure to their financial advising software. As I consider a finance degree in college, I now have such a better sense of what that looks like and feel I will be much better prepared for it!”
– MAGGIE SCHER ‘24, FINANCE MAJOR, ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY
Career Conversations
Career Conversations are offered weekly at Cor Jesu during the spring semester. Hosts from across a wide variety of industries and roles lead these onehour sessions, sharing information about their
professional journey they have traveled and suggestions/helpful insights they’ve gathered on the way. Students register in advance with attendance capped at 10 participants in order to keep a relaxed the room. Q&A happens throughout. Established in 2020, the Career Conversations program offers current students an accessible way to consider and explore career options while making valuable
CENTER: Julia Merlo Downey ’11, CRNA and Career Conversation host
Career Day
Bi-annually, Cor Jesu Academy welcomes over 40 professional alumnae back to campus to participate in Career Day. Leading up to the event, our current Business Marketing students work behind the scenes as internal promoters, getting the entire student body excited for the event. In parallel, students from the Business Leadership class are nominated by their
teacher to serve as Career Day Liaisons. The Liaisons communicate information with the panelists before the event, facilitate the panels, and then share lunch and network with alumnae participants to conclude the event. Day of, alumnae panelists are grouped by areas of expertise, representing specialties ranging from Animal Science to Creative Design. Each student has the opportunity to select the panel
they would like to attend.
During the 50 minutes of interactive discussion, alumnae highlight their education and career journeys after CJA while inviting students to ask questions along the way.
This day is a tangible representation of the power of Cor Jesu alumnae supporting and mentoring those Chargers who will one day walk in their shoes outside the halls of Cor Jesu.
L-R: Fiona Gannon ’18; Melissa Vanost Clendenin ‘99; Kayla Hall ‘07, Career Day panelists
The Alumnae Internship Networking Connections (INC)
Event facilitates connections between Cor Jesu’s college-aged alumnae and CJA corporate partners. Held annually at Cor Jesu Academy, it is specifically designed to connect CJA alumnae with substantive internship and employment opportunities. During the event, alumnae also have access to professional coaching and can sit for a complimentary professional LinkedIn profile photo. INC is a fantastic opportunity for recent CJA alumnae to begin networking and jump-start their careers.
“It’s fantastic to see how much CPI has grown, even since I graduated! As I work each day with my physicians and collaborate with inhouse R&D product launches, I attribute so much of where I am today to the early career discovery and professional contacts made possible by Cor Jesu.”
