This past summer, Charles River Associates (CRA) was proud to once again partner with KIPP Massachusetts (KIPP MA) to welcome a talented and motivated group of Rising Freshman Interns—high school students preparing to make the leap from the classroom to college.
Through this paid internship program, students gain hands-on experience in a corporate environment, guided mentorship from CRA professionals, and skill-building opportunities that help bridge academic learning with real-world applications.
“Our goal is simple: to broaden what students see as possible,” said Paul Maleh, CRA President & CEO. “For many, this may be their first time navigating a corporate environment. For others, it’s a meaningful chance to understand how their emerging academic interests connect to real careers. Exposure like this can shape the trajectory of a young person’s future.”
Real Experience, Real Growth
Each summer, CRA places Rising Freshman Interns across departments including Finance & Accounting, Information Technology Services (ITS), Human Capital, and Marketing, Business Development & Coaching (MBDC). Under the mentorship of supervisors like Eli Nelson, CRA’s Social Media & Engagement Coordinator, interns participate in weekly training sessions, lunch-and-learns, and curated LinkedIn Learning courses designed to build confidence, professionalism, and independence.
“This internship has allowed me to gain experience,” shared Julianna Ho, who interned with CRA’s Human Capital team before beginning her first year at Bentley University. “It helped me be more open, more comfortable asking questions, and more independent. I also learned how to balance getting things done while having fun with others. I think it made me realize I might want to explore new paths.”
This balance of learning, exploration, and self-discovery is exactly what the partnership aims to cultivate—helping students uncover new interests, broaden their perspectives, and build the confidence to pursue them.
“It’s a rare opportunity to be paid to learn while being exposed to people from all different walks of life,” said Nikki Barnes, Executive Director of KIPP MA. “It’s a powerful opportunity.”
“It’s a game changer,” added Raquel Tamez, CRA’s Chief Inclusion & Engagement Officer, who oversees the program. “These students have shown resilience and how nimble and eager they are to learn. That’s refreshing—and exciting—to see.”
Meet Our 2025 Rising Freshman Interns
- Yarib Arriaza Erazo – IT | Boston University
- Brenda Betances – Finance | Northwestern University
- Christian Garcia Bermudez – MBDC | Babson College
- Julianna Ho – Human Capital | Bentley University
- Aisha Ndiaye – IT | Syracuse University
- Angelina Ream – Human Capital | UMass Amherst
- Rasha Rogti – Finance | University of Pennsylvania
- Soumaya Sougrati – MBDC | Simmons University
Expanding Horizons Through Partnership
Founded in 1994, KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) is a national network of free, open-enrollment college-preparatory schools serving underserved communities. Its mission is to prepare students for success in college and beyond.
CRA’s partnership with KIPP Massachusetts includes a half-day corporate tour at CRA’s Boston headquarters, where students connect with firm leaders and analysts to explore what it’s like to work in consulting, economics, and related fields. Eligible high school seniors are invited to apply for paid summer internships that offer meaningful exposure to corporate life before their first year of college.
These experiences are more than résumé builders—they’re launchpads. They empower students to translate academic learning into real-world environments, discover new possibilities, and spark curiosity about their futures.
Creating Pathways Through CRA’s All-Access Initiative
The Rising Freshman Internship Program is a cornerstone of CRA’s All-Access Initiative, our firmwide commitment to expanding educational access and strengthening pathways into business, economics, and STEM.
All-Access includes several structured programs designed to support students throughout their academic journeys and prepare them for future opportunities:
- KIPP MA Rising Freshman Internship Program
Open for and delivered in partnership with KIPP Massachusetts.
This paid internship provides high school seniors with early exposure to corporate life before their first year of college. - Rising Junior Research Scholar Program
Open for and delivered in partnership with QuestBridge.
Scholars engage with CRA researchers and consultants to build foundational skills in economics, data analysis, and applied research. - American Economic Association Summer Training Program (AEASP)
Open for and delivered in partnership with Howard University.
This highly selective program prepares rising juniors for graduate study in economics through rigorous coursework, mentoring, and hands-on research. - CRA All-Access Scholarship Program
CRA provides financial support to students pursuing studies aligned with business, economics, and STEM—reflecting the firm’s belief that potential should never be limited by circumstance.
Together, these programs demonstrate CRA’s deep commitment to opening doors, advancing equity, and cultivating the next generation of leaders and thinkers. By investing in students’ journeys, CRA strengthens its culture of inclusion, innovation, and lifelong learning.
Looking Ahead
We believe that when curiosity meets opportunity, mentorship becomes meaningful, and learning is shaped by lived experience, students gain more than college readiness—they gain clarity, confidence, and a sense of what comes next.
Together with KIPP MA, CRA is helping young people unlock their potential—building essential skills, exploring new possibilities, and shaping the workforce of tomorrow.