Higher Up Giving Students a First-Hand Experience with the Help of Business Internships
Published April 10, 2025 at 9:15 PM
HIGHTSTOWN, NJ – They say it just takes a spark to start a fire. The same can be true when it comes to starting a fire in a young person looking for their start in a successful career. That is what Hightstown-based Higher Up is working to do for area students looking for that spark to light the way to their career path.
Higher Up, a non-profit organization founded by Wendy McDade and Rosa Prada-Rodriguez in 2024, strives to help students at the East Windsor Regional School District‘s Hightstown High School and in college consider their possible career opportunities through hands-on experiences in internships. These students are often underrepresented and underprivileged but are placed in meaningful summer jobs and career-essential internships.
Last year, Higher Up placed 30 students in meaningful internship programs. The participating students are between the ages of 15 and 24. They are in high school, college, or trade school. Now, as Higher Up heads into their second year, they have set a goal of providing internships for at least 40 students.
The students who have previously participated in Higher Up internships show interest in a range of careers, including art, architecture, business, cosmetology, education, finance, graphic design, hospitality, human resources, law, music, outdoor preservation, psychology, social media, and veterinary science. These paid internship placements also incorporate resume building, interview coaching, business etiquette, wardrobe basics, and engagement with motivational speakers and affinity-building mentors and cohorts to help students prepare for their future jobs.
The summer internship lasts between six and eight weeks. Students are expected to work 25 hours per week – 22 hours on the job and three hours of training – to perform meaningful tasks at the business while learning about related career responsibilities.
TAPinto East Windsor/Hightstown recently attended Higher Up’s recent volunteer recruitment session. A group of about 25 local residents who own businesses and have volunteered before shared their experiences in the initial 2024 program. One former intern shared his story about his experience and how it had launched him into considering his future career path in social media.
Business owners who attended expressed their full support of the program after having positive experiences last summer with their interns. In addition, previous volunteers shared stories of their experiences that helped guide the student interns through the program.
How are student interns and businesses matched through Higher Up?
Higher Up is currently in the process of recruiting Mercer County-based businesses and local students who want to participate in the program.
McDade and Prada-Rodriguez are hands-on in the process. They work with the Hightstown High School staff and students directly looking to intern and ask what they are passionate about or what career paths they are considering. They then work to match students and businesses who have already signed up to participate in Higher Up; or McDade and Prada-Rodriguez go into the community to find possible matches, even if it means knocking on doors directly.
In the first year, some of the businesses that have brought interns into their businesses include, but are not limited to, Allen & Stults, Inc. Insurance.; HomeFront; Westerberg Law; Gittings Associates; Plainsboro Preserve; DFG Financial Group; Kynice Designs; Princeton Animal Hospital; Dcruz Agency; Cranbury Inn; and many more!
How can you get involved to help Higher Up?
Higher Up is currently recruiting businesses, skilled trade organizations, non-profits and other interested entities who are looking to bring an intern into their fold. While there are grants available to cover the cost of the paid internship, businesses are asked to make an investment in the interns by paying them $16 per hour, equivalent to $3,200 for the duration of the summer program.
In addition, Higher Up relies upon the support of volunteers to make it work successfully.
They are currently looking to fill a range of volunteer positions. The volunteer opportunities are: student/partner coordinators; transportation coordinators; student enrichment program coordinator; volunteer coordinator; storytellers; and general support positions. The time commitment for these positions can vary depending upon the task and even when the positions are more active. McDade and Prada-Rodriguez support the volunteers as the team works together to provide a positive experience for students and businesses.
For more information about providing an internship for a student, participating as a student intern or volunteering with Higher Up, email info@higherupnj.org or call (609) 469-4942.
How can you support Higher Up?
Support also can be provided by participating in the upcoming fundraiser for Higher Up! The Hightstown Cultural Arts Commission is co-hosting a fundraiser between 6:00 p.m and 8:00 p.m at Old Hights Brewing Company to support themselves and Higher Up. The event will include food by Triton Pizza and live music by Shoebox Chateau (featuring members of Prism.) Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by CLICKING HERE.
For more information about Higher Up and how to get involved, visit them online at www.higherupnj.org or follow them on Facebook.
Looking to promote your business or organization in our community or around NJ? Email Editors Elizabeth Meyers and Kristin Antonello
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