De La Salle Interns Learn About the Property Management Industry at Guardian

Intern Grace performs various office tasks that keep our
business running smoothly

De La Salle North Catholic High School in Portland, Oregon places a premium on real world work as part of the high school experience. To accomplish this goal, the school partners with local business in their Corporate Internship Program. Business partners operate in a diverse mix of industries including finance, law, healthcare, and education. The Guardian Real Estate Services corporate office has been a business partner in the program for the past ten years, since the program was established. Guardian President Tom Brenneke and Senior Vice President of Development Dan Steffey were both founding board members for the school.

The mission of the internship program is to "[give] underserved young people opportunities for personal growth and workplace skill development while supporting their dreams of college." Additionally, students earn 50% of their cost of education as well as academic credit. The program has been in place for 12 years and ultimately provides 1 FTE entry level position for each of its business partners.

Grace, a De La Salle intern on the Guardian team, reports to work at the corporate offices five days each month. She spends time with staff members in each department to learn the ins and outs of their job, and more specifically, what it takes to run an effective property management company.

"I think the most surprising thing I've learned is just how many properties Guardian manages," said Grace. She routinely works with apartment communities in multiple states and cities, performing critical tasks like document scanning and filing, which keeps Guardian's records in order and running efficiently.

Although Grace has learned a lot as a Guardian intern, her career aspirations lie in other realms. "I want to go to school to be a psychologist," says Grace. "I'd really like to attend the University of Portland, the University of Houston, or the American University in Paris." 

Many thanks to Grace and interns Christian and Genevieve for their hard work here in the office!