Tech Apprentice Interns at SmartBear Build Transferable Skills

Through their summer internship at SmartBear Software, rising seniors Bao Nguyen and Jayden Ramirez gained hands-on experience in the field of technology. Not only did Bao and Jayden hone their technical abilities this summer, but they also built transferable skills that will set them apart in any future career.  

Bao and Jayden were part of a larger cohort of PIC interns in the Tech Apprentice program. Starting in 2006, the Tech Apprentice program was created to encourage BPS students to enter the field of technology by providing early-career exposure and experience. The program was championed and driven by industry leaders like Jim Whalen, former Chief Technology Officer of BXP, whose longstanding commitment to creating alternate tech talent pipelines and connecting Boston Public Schools (BPS) students to technology careers helped shape the initiative. Since its inception, more than 1,800 students have participated in technology internships at private sector companies and community-based organizations in Greater Boston.  

 For employers, participating in Tech Apprentice is more than simply hiring a summer intern. The program is designed specifically to introduce BPS students to careers in technology through hands-on work experience, technical skill-building, career and college exposure, networking, and mentoring and leadership opportunities. Students receive preparation and support throughout the program, while employers gain access to a prepared cohort of emerging talent and the opportunity to help diversify and strengthen Boston’s future technology workforce. A broad network of employers and industry partners, including SIM Boston, with whom the PIC collaborates as an official outreach partner, work together to support and expand the Tech Apprentice program.  

Through the help of the PIC, SmartBear has welcomed summer interns to their Somerville-based office since 2022. William Ma, SmartBear’s IT Service Desk Team Lead, encourages students who have an interest in the technology sector to start gaining work experience early. He said, “It’s important for students in the tech field to get a head start since having more exposure to technology and computer skills is crucial to career success.”   

As student interns, Bao and Jayden worked closely with William to support the IT Service Desk. One of their main responsibilities was responding to IT tickets; they troubleshot technology problems, collaborated with William to solve harder fixes, and communicated with respondents over email.  

“I really enjoy the hands-on work and being able to learn about what people in the tech industry do in an interactive way,” shared Bao, a rising senior at Boston Latin School. “I’m learning in ways I never had before in school.”  

In addition to responding to IT tickets, the students learned and applied essential technology tools, such as Microsoft Office and AI programs like Claude. Rising Boston Latin Academy senior Jayden said, “I’ve developed a ton of Microsoft skills, as well as [learned] how computers work and how they’re built. The tech industry is huge and always wants people, so I think everything I’ve been learning so far will help a lot in my future.”   

Beyond technical skills, William encouraged Bao and Jayden to practice professional communication and networking, transferable skills that are essential for any career. While Jayden hopes to pursue a career in technology, Bao wants to enter the field of finance. Regardless of where their next steps take them, Bao and Jayden will take with them the foundational professional and technical skills that they developed during their SmartBear internships. 

William knows firsthand how impactful a PIC summer internship is for students—he was once a PIC intern himself. As a high school student at John D. O’Bryant, William worked as an intern at Fidelity Investments and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Now, he feels that sharing his expertise as an intern supervisor is a way to give back to the community. “It definitely feels like I’m making change in Boston by helping these interns figure out what they want to do in their future,” he shared. “I hope I have interns for the next 30+ years!” 

This summer, 103 Tech Apprentice interns worked at 23 companies and community-based organizations across Boston. The PIC would like to thank SmartBear and all Tech Apprentice hosts for providing BPS students with meaningful early experiences in technology. 

Interested in hosting a Tech Apprentice? 

Employers don’t have to create an internship program from scratch to participate. The PIC works with companies and community-based organizations to identify meaningful opportunities, connect employers with BPS students, and support the internship experience. Hosting Tech Apprentice interns is a practical way to invest in Boston’s future workforce while giving students the opportunity to learn, contribute, and explore what’s possible in a technology career. 

For more information, contact Employer Engagement Manager Cara Brooks at Cara.Brooks@bostonpic.org. 

 

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