51在线

Three 51在线 seniors are putting their classroom knowledge to work this fall as interns with the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council through a new internship program backed by the Genspiration Foundation. The initiative helps elevate future prospects for the community by engaging students who bring unique skills and perspectives to meaningful projects. 
 
Finance major Diego Pardo, public relations and advertising major Gema Ramirez de la Cruz, and business analytics and information systems major Emma Scuderi are each working on initiatives that directly connect to their academic and career goals. 
 
The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council (EDC) is the lead economic development agency for Hillsborough County. Its mission is to attract and retain high-wage jobs and capital investment in the county and the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. The EDC has been key to the region鈥檚 growth trajectory, generating more than $3.7 billion in capital investment and nearly 42,000 jobs in Hillsborough County over the past 15 years. 
 
The Genspiration Foundation was founded by USF President Emerita Judy Genshaft and her husband Steven Greenbaum to support innovative community projects throughout the Tampa Bay region. 
 
鈥淭he Tampa Bay Economic Development Council was a natural fit for Genspiration Foundation to support because, like our foundation, it strives to improve life in our community so individuals, families, and businesses can thrive,鈥� President Emerita Genshaft said. 
 
Originally from Lima, Peru, Ramirez De la Cruz is focusing on communications and storytelling projects for the EDC. She said she looks forward to creating social media content and interviewing students and professionals to showcase what draws people to Tampa. 
 
鈥淲hat excites me most about working with the Tampa Bay EDC is the chance to be part of a team that is helping Tampa grow and become one of the best cities in the United States,鈥� she said. 

鈥淎t this internship, my creations are also published for the world to see. The Tampa Bay EDC is giving me the opportunity to contribute to the city鈥檚 development and teaching me many skills I would never learn in class.鈥� 

Pardo, who grew up in Tampa and is also pursuing a minor in economics, said he was drawn to the opportunity to work with the EDC鈥檚 Community Development team because of its projects in opportunity zones, community redevelopment areas, and other underserved regions. 

鈥淭o me, having President Emerita Genshaft鈥檚 support means being seen as a direct reflection of the impact she has made in Tampa Bay and in shaping student leaders.鈥� 鈥� Diego Pardo

鈥淚 wanted to be in a position that would allow me to see how change is made in the community where I grew up,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his internship connects with my career goals in several ways, but the biggest connection has been giving back. I have always wanted to work in the business world while being able to positively affect everyday people鈥攏ot just focus on profits. The EDC has shown me what that looks like.鈥� 
 
Scuderi, who grew up near Orlando, is supporting the EDC鈥檚 business development team through data analysis and research for reports that help the organization recruit companies to the area. 鈥淚 think this internship is a perfect fit for what my future career might look like,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his opportunity has allowed me to deliver real data in support of clients and to network with so many businesses and individuals in Tampa, which to me is far more valuable than classroom experience.鈥� 
 
All three interns agreed that being inaugural Genspiration Foundation interns added an extra measure of significance to their experience. 
 
鈥淭o me, having President Emerita Genshaft鈥檚 support means being seen as a direct reflection of the impact she has made in Tampa Bay and in shaping student leaders,鈥� Pardo said.