Cristo Rey Jesuit students earn the majority of their tuition by spending four days a week in college preparatory classes and one day in a professional, entry-level job through the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). Recently faculty and staff had an opportunity to shadow students at their jobs, meet their supervisor and coworkers, and get a better understanding of students' work experience on Teacher to Work Day.

CWSP job partners Northern Trust, CME, GTCR, Collins Engineers, Chicago Title, Senior Lifestyle, Catholic Extension, and the Cristo Rey Network hosted teachers and staff members for an afternoon to see firsthand how skills at the workplace connect with lessons in the classroom.

The CWSP vans took teachers and staff downtown, where each group visited two job partner offices. At each company, the senior students gave tours, introduced their co-workers, and gave presentations on their jobs to their teachers.

Upon return, the Cristo Rey adults gathered with the CWSP team to reflect on the afternoon. The teachers and staff were overwhelmingly impressed by the presentations given by the students, as well as the tasks and projects they are currently undertaking. 

We are grateful to the seniors for their remarkable presentations, and also to our job partners who provide our students with meaningful and valuable work experiences.