This summer, five students joined Grow Financial through the Think Big for Kids internship program, gaining firsthand experience in a professional environment while exploring future career paths.

Representing local high schools across the Tampa Bay area, the interns worked alongside the Grow team and Grow’s People Development Group, collaborating on a shared project to support the West River community. Along the way, they discovered that an internship is about much more than building a resume — it’s an opportunity to build confidence, make connections and see how their ideas can create meaningful impact.

For many of the interns, one of the biggest surprises was experiencing how collaborative the workplace can be.

“I expected the corporate world to feel more formal and isolated,” said Angeliz Barrios. “Grow Financial has shown me the opposite. Leaders and employees alike care deeply about one another, creating an environment that is both productive and enjoyable.”

Others were surprised by the variety of careers and teams working together behind the scenes. Emily Corvo said meeting team members from so many different departments revealed career paths she hadn’t considered, and Sebastian Estrada was surprised to learn just how many different teams contribute to Grow’s mission. Josue Ramirez also observed that while departments often face similar challenges, each approaches problem-solving in its own unique way.

Throughout the internship, the students collaborated on a project centered around the West River community, developing ideas to help residents build financial confidence and reach their goals while deepening their engagement with Grow. For several interns, the project became the highlight of their experience.

Ramirez was especially proud of bringing his ideas to life by creating an AI-assisted website mock-up for the project. Corvo enjoyed seeing the team combine different perspectives into new ideas, while John Hightower appreciated working alongside fellow interns to improve a project that could positively impact the community.

Several interns described gaining confidence in professional settings, whether through networking events, collaborating with new teammates or simply learning how to communicate in a corporate environment. Others said the experience strengthened their analytical thinking, communication skills and ability to work with people from different backgrounds.

“The internship has helped me grow both personally and professionally,” Barrios said. “Personally, it has strengthened my communication skills and increased my confidence when meeting and speaking with new people. Professionally, I have learned how important collaboration, adaptability and effective communication are in the workplace.”

When asked what advice they would give future interns, the students shared a common message: stay curious.

They encouraged other high school students to ask questions, keep an open mind, explore departments that may seem unfamiliar and take advantage of every opportunity to learn. As Estrada put it, “Always look for opportunities to learn and grow.”

Meet our 2026 Think Big for Kids interns

• Angeliz Barrios — Graduate, Lennard High School; attending Hillsborough Community College to study Management
• Emily Corvo — Graduate, Leto High School; attending Hillsborough Community College to study Business Administration
• Sebastian Estrada — Graduate, Angeline Academy of Innovation; attending the University of Tampa to study Computer Science
• John Hightower — Rising junior at Middleton High School
• Josue Ramirez — Graduate, Gaither High School; attending Hillsborough Community College to study Business Administration

As the summer ends, these students leave with more than workplace experience. They leave with stronger professional skills, new relationships and a clearer picture of what’s possible as they continue their education and prepare for future careers.

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