Wendy Brooks, Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships, Genesys Works

Genesys Works thrives in Houston due to its unique blend of student need and strong industry commitment. In an interview with Invest:, Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships Wendy Brooks highlighted record employer engagement and exceptional student outcomes — 98% college enrollment versus 45% citywide. “These results demonstrate the impact of giving students the right support,” she said.

What makes Houston a great location for Genesys Works to operate and grow, compared to other markets?

Genesys Works was founded in Houston 23 years ago, and Houston remains the flagship site. We’re a workforce development organization dedicated to the mission of serving students from under-resourced communities, and for our program to work, we also need strong industry partnerships. Houston delivers both. It’s diverse not only demographically, but also economically, with many students who have the potential to succeed professionally if given the opportunity. At the same time, Houston has leaders and companies genuinely committed to helping their community through CSR initiatives.

The missing piece is a bridge, and that’s where Genesys Works comes in. We connect students with business leaders eager to invest in local economic development and talent pipelines. That balance of student need and industry commitment makes Houston a place where programs like ours can thrive.

Over the years, we’ve explored expansion and now operate in markets like D.C., New York, Twin Cities, Bay Area, Chicago, etc., and most recently, Jacksonville, Florida. When selecting new cities, we look at whether there are students who would benefit from our program, whether there’s a diverse industry base willing to engage, and whether schools and local foundations support workforce initiatives. Houston meets all those criteria.

What have been some of the key milestones and highlights for Genesys Works in Houston over the past year?

We continue to see growth in employer engagement. Last year, we onboarded more new business partners than ever, including companies in oil and gas, professional services, and healthcare. This year, healthcare engagement continues to rise.

Companies are increasingly recognizing the need to invest in talent earlier. Many traditional internship programs focus on college students, but an increasing number of industries now recognize the value of engaging students at the high school level. We’ve heard repeatedly that young people aren’t as drawn to specific career paths — finance and healthcare, for example — and companies are turning to us to help change that narrative.

Our outcomes speak volumes. In Houston, only about 45% of students enroll in college within two years of high school. Among Genesys Works students, that number is 98%. While just 27% of Houston students earn a post-secondary degree within six years, 52% of our students do. Importantly, we don’t select based on academic performance, only on whether students are on track to graduate. These results demonstrate the impact of giving students the right support.

Additionally, about 80% of our alumni earn more than $50,000 annually, compared to an average of $31,000 for recent Houston University graduates. That wage difference highlights the economic mobility our program creates.

Which industries are showing the most interest in partnering with Genesys Works, and what skills are companies looking for today?

In Houston, our largest industry partners are energy and healthcare. We also work with educational institutions like Houston Community College (HCC), Financial institutions, and professional services firms.

Across all sectors, the most valued skills are professional/soft skills, rather than technical skills. Before placing students in internships, we train them in communication, teamwork, and workplace professionalism, along with basic technical skills. Employers frequently tell us they’re impressed with how prepared our students are from day one.

Many partners have told us they wish their entry-level staff had this same training. Technical skills can be taught, but without a foundation in communication and collaboration, new hires struggle. Across every industry, communication is the number one skill employers want, followed closely by problem-solving. This consistency shows that while technical needs vary, strong soft skills are universally essential.

How do events like Cocktails and Conversations support your mission and engage current and potential partners?

After two decades of data and insight gathering, we needed a platform to share what we’ve learned. Cocktails and Conversations is one of our ways of doing that. These events allow us to present data, invite experts to speak on workforce issues, and facilitate meaningful conversations. Attendees may already be partners, have limited familiarity with us, or be entirely new, but everyone walks away learning something. These events support brand building, thought leadership, and community engagement, all while highlighting the intersection of education and business that defines our work.

What industries or partners are you targeting for growth in Houston?

We aim to create a diverse range of opportunities that align with both our students’ evolving interests and the dynamic needs of Houston’s economy. As student interests have broadened over the years, so too has the city’s industry landscape.

In response, we’re actively seeking partnerships across various sectors — including technology, aerospace and engineering, healthcare, and more. Our goal is to align student aspirations with local industry demands, creating mutually beneficial outcomes for both students and our partners.

What trends are you seeing regarding return-to-office and hybrid work, and how is Genesys Works preparing students?

Before the pandemic, in-office work was the default. Then in 2020, everything went remote. By 2022, hybrid models started to emerge, and they’ve remained the standard. We’ve adapted accordingly. Our students are trained to succeed in both remote and in-person environments. They learn how to present themselves professionally on camera, communicate effectively in virtual settings, and navigate the dynamics of in-office work. We explicitly teach the expectations of each format.

Hybrid work is likely here to stay. Many have found remote work to be more productive and time-efficient, but people still value the collaboration that comes from in-person interaction. Our training ensures students are prepared for both.

What are your top priorities for expanding Genesys Works in Houston?

Growing our network of industry partnerships is mission-critical to our work. We have a pipeline of driven, career-ready students prepared to make meaningful contributions — but the scale of impact we can achieve hinges on the number of companies that step up to partner with us. By expanding these collaborations, we not only open doors for young talent but also help shape Houston’s future workforce.

We strive to be recognized as a trusted talent pipeline for Houston’s future workforce. When companies think about recruitment and long-term workforce planning, we want Genesys Works to be top of mind — not only as a source of exceptional early talent, but as a strategic partner in driving local economic growth and community impact. The impact our partners make goes beyond the individual student. For example, one of our high school interns recently shared how proud she feels telling her classmates she’s going to work. That sense of pride — and the visibility of real-world success — creates a powerful ripple effect, inspiring peers and reshaping what students see as possible for their own futures.

We want partners to understand that their involvement creates a ripple effect. They’re not just helping one student; they’re helping shape a stronger, more resilient community.

How can new partners get involved with Genesys Works?

We encourage supporters to get involved by becoming a partner and hiring an intern, volunteering, or making a donation. We are continually seeking to expand our partnership pool and explore potential partners by visiting our website, connecting with us on LinkedIn, or reaching out directly via email. We seek partners who are committed to investing in local youth and who recognize the long-term value of cultivating homegrown talent. The impact of their engagement goes far beyond a single internship — it helps shape a stronger, more inclusive future workforce for our city.