When the Cristo Rey Network embarked on a summer collaboration with KPMG US, Cristo Rey Boston students had an opportunity to participate in the Empower High School Experience. Corporate Work Study Relationship Managers knew one student who would be keenly interested.
Isaac Francis-Aigbe chose Cristo Rey Boston because of the Corporate Work Study program. He recalls, “I was fascinated by the opportunity to learn about the business world during high school. One of my goals in life is to be a successful business owner, so I figured I should start immediately.”
Isaac participated in an entrepreneurship program with Junior Achievement in his first year, which focused on owning and operating a business. In his sophomore year, he worked at MathWorks. This year, he hopes for a placement to expand on the skills he gained with KPMG over the summer.
KPMG’s Empower High School Experience opened his eyes to what his future could look like. “I had an opportunity to interact with all the different departments in the Boston office and explore how my interests and the needs of KPMG aligned. I left the program interested in a career in accounting. The thought of being able to help others while working in business resonated,” Isaac recalled.
He continued, “As the first in my family to attend college, my future has been hard to visualize. However, after attending the KPMG program, all the lines of my future started to cross. I can envision myself succeeding in college as an accounting major and having a successful career at a company like KPMG. The path is becoming more of a reality.”
“Cristo Rey Boston challenges you; they have pushed me to think about my future and focus on attaining my goals. I feel like my teachers have encouraged me to be the best version of myself,” Isaac noted. He pointed out that in addition to being challenged to work hard in the classroom, he has also been encouraged to pursue his other passions.
Isaac stated, “I love to draw and am looking forward to taking AP Art as a senior. I look for hidden beauty everywhere and try to capture it in my art. I’m also an avid drum player and play drums at my church. I enjoy it, and the music we perform moves me spiritually.” He’s contemplating singing in the chorus this year and taking advantage of all the opportunities in front of him.
As a junior, Isaac is looking forward to college visits this school year. He hopes to find a college that will allow him to prepare for a career in business while providing him with opportunities to explore his artistic side.
Ultimately, Isaac hopes to become a successful business owner. He said, “All my actions are motivated by my family. I’ve watched them work hard and sacrifice for us, and I look forward to the day when I can make my parents’ lives a little easier, buy them a house, and allow them to retire early. Nothing would make me happier.”