Jun. 19--Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and AT&T Inc. kicked off the second year of the Mayor's Intern Fellows program on Monday by encouraging more companies and organizations to step up to provide positions for the students.

So far, 48 companies and organizations have answered his call. Students are paid a competitive wage of at least $9 per hour for a minimum of $2,880 over the eight-week period that ends Aug. 7.

"Despite challenging times, we must continue investing in our youth," Leppert said, adding that the program is "much more than just a summer job because it gives Dallas ISD students invaluable exposure and immersion into a professional workplace environment."

He also stressed that the Intern Fellows program helps students make the connection between a good education and a great career, "a critical point so that teenagers understand the long-range importance of good grades, attendance, perseverance and graduating."

Leppert and AT&T are working with the nonprofit Education Is Freedom, which is administering the program.

The companies and organizations providing or funding internships this year are Affiliated Computer Services Inc., Alliance Data Systems Corp., Allyn Partners, Alon USA Energy Inc., Army & Air Force Exchange , AT&T, Atmos Energy Corp., Austin Industries Inc., Balfour Beatty Construction, Baylor Health Care System, BeautiControl Inc., Blockbuster Inc.

Brinker International Inc., Children's Medical Center Dallas, Comerica Bank, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dean Foods Co, Deloitte, EMJ Corp., Ensco International Inc., Essilor of America Inc., Fossil Inc., Frito-Lay Inc., Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, Global 360 Inc., Haynes and Boone LLP, HKS Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase, Methodist Health Care System.

Neiman Marcus, Parkland Health & Hospital System, Perot Systems Corp., Preservation Link, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Safer Dallas Better Dallas Inc., Southern Methodist University, Tenet Healthcare Corp., Texas Instruments Inc., Texas Health Partners, Trinity Industries Inc.,

Oncor Electric Delivery Co., University of North Texas Dallas Campus, Weber Shandwick and Williams Chicken.

Four days a week, companies give the students basic office jobs. On the fifth day, companies are encouraged to be creative, allowing the students to shadow a CEO, spend time with senior managers and explore other aspects of the firm.

Companies can also support the initiative by donating the cost of one or more internships that will be created with a nonprofit organization or the city of Dallas.

For more information about the Mayor's Intern Fellows program, contact Margaret Suarez, community relations liaison at Education is Freedom, at 214-306-6706 or msuarez @educationisfreedom.org.

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