Education for Tomorrow Alliance programs shape the workforce of tomorrow

For 35 years, the Education for Tomorrow Alliance has opened doors for students across Montgomery County by introducing them to careers, developing leadership skills, and supporting curiosity through real-world, hands-on experiences. Deep partnerships with area schools, employers, and volunteers power the organization, according to President Monica Bomkamp Enia. Spring is the season for securing internships for high-school seniors through the Student Internship Program. However, the organization supports education year-round with additional programming.

Education for Tomorrow Alliance history 

Founded by local scientists and researchers, the EfTA was born from a service perspective with the initial committee and working group hosted by the Houston Advanced Research Center. The early vision of ensuring the best science education possible was available in the community led to the growth of a robust non-profit serving students in transformative ways. 

“Our best resource is an amazing volunteer corps,” Enia said. “Everything we do engages community members and engages people in these professions and these fields to share what they’ve learned along the way with kids.”

Today, EfTA provides a wide array of programs blending career exploration with leadership and STEM education. From STEM competitions and science festivals to in-class career panels and mock interviews, students at all grade levels receive early, informed glimpses of what’s possible after completing their education. 

Student Internship Program introduces students to workforce

One of EfTA’s flagship initiatives is the Student Internship Program, which is offered to area seniors each summer. EfTA matches students with employers based on interest level and fit. Matched students work two weeks during the summer in fields ranging from engineering and healthcare to marketing and law. STEM roles are the most popular opportunity.

“Last year, we placed 174 students,” Enia shared. “Yes, it’s competitive depending on the field, but we try to work with students and employers to find the right fit. And when students are flexible, they typically get placed.”

Enia explained EfTA will often report back to students with different available opportunities to find a suitable alternative or work with companies to expand positions when possible.  
These internships often extend beyond resume building and plant the seeds for lasting professional students. Success stories include a student whose internships provided access to more lab opportunities in college, which led to a first job and so on. The student is now a quality engineer for a major medical technology company in California. Another former intern eventually took over the chiropractor’s practice where they completed their internship. 

Community collaboration drives success

Internship success stories are only one example of the culture of responsiveness defining EfTA’s work in the Conroe community. 

“This is the beautiful thing about being a local organization,” Enia said. “If a school comes to us and asks, ‘Hey, can you do XYZ?’ If we can make it happen, we want to do so.” 

Whether it’s launching a Youth Leadership Academy for younger high schoolers due to parental interest or adapting science-based competitions to align with junior high school curriculum, EfTA consistently evolves to meet student and community needs.

“Everything we do is in partnership,” Enia explains. “That’s why we’ve been successful – because we can adapt, and we have great partners who say, ‘ Let’s make that happen.’”

For businesses in Montgomery County, EfTA offers a meaningful way to give back and invest in the next generation. Hosting a student intern doesn’t require a massive time investment, but it can be life-changing for students, particularly when they receive meaningful projects and assignments while interning. 

Any business interested in joining EfTA’s network of mentors, volunteers, or internship sponsors can visit www.efta-us.org to learn more. 

To explore workforce opportunities in Conroe, visit the Conroe Economic Development Council website.