Business student helping to advance H-E-B with management internship

July 21, 2017 | George Mattingly II

While some students are spending their summer vacation traveling, or taking a break from classes, management undergraduate Joshua Silva is learning from top business leaders about supervision and operations.

Silva is working at H-E-B as part of their Management Intern Program for 10 weeks this summer, gaining hands-on experience to further his career goals of becoming a store leader. With more than 350 stores and $23 billion in annual sales, the company is one of the nation’s largest private companies, according to Forbes.

The internship program accepts college students from all over the country to come learn about store operations through work in the various departments. Students also have the opportunity to network with company leadership and other interns to form business connections. After graduation, interns can apply for the H-E-B School of Retail Leadership. To apply, students had to meet GPA requirements, possess leadership experience and obtain a letter of recommendation. Silva applied to the internship after working at H-E-B for nine years as cashier and then Assistant Store Manager.

While at the H-E-B store in League City, Silva is working alongside store managers to learn how to oversee the store’s various departments and how they work in tandem. The second arm of the internship includes working on a special project tasked by company leaders to potentially implement at stores across Houston, a unique opportunity for area interns, Silva said.

Silva and fellow UHCL student Christopher Williams are two of the hundreds of applicants from Houston and hundreds more from universities like Harvard University, the United States Military Academy at West Point and Arizona State University, among others.

Q: How does the internship help you in your career goals?

Silva: One thing I enjoy about the internship is that new people are getting to experience the H-E-B culture. For me, I’ve wanted to develop with H-E-B for a long time and it’s one of the reasons I moved to Houston alongside getting accepted to UHCL. With this opportunity, I’m learning about the store from a new perspective. That entices me to develop that much further. This is the path I want to take and this internship is helping me get there.

Q: How has your time at UHCL helped you prepare you for your internship?

Silva: I applied to UHCL about two years ago. I’m from the Rio Grande Valley and intended to apply to the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, but I saw that not only was the education at UHCL ranked statistically higher, the tuition was roughly the same. When I coupled that with the H-E-B trying to establish a foothold in Houston, I knew it was the right choice. The education has been incredible. 

I’m going to UHCL for a BS in management. My classes have allowed me to think from a different perspective, especially my management classes. They have shown me what a leader is supposed to look like, not only at H-E-B, but as a leader of other people and that’s what I one day intend to be is a top store leader at H-E-B.

 Q: Why do you think internships are important for students to participate in?

Silva: Internships give you a platform to interact with people who you aspire to be like. They help you build relationships with people and grow as a professional. It’s a lot better than spending your summer in the Houston heat. I would definitely recommend for other students any internship in their field. It’s not just about working; if you leave a good impression with the people you’re working for, they will have your back. A strong letter of recommendation means a lot.

It’s not just building relationships, it’s also about taking what you learn in the classroom and applying it in ways that are fun and exciting. I’m a big data guy, so to see that what I’m doing is making a difference and helping the company to be successful, I take pride in that. 

Q: What was your journey like to get to UHCL?

Silva: I grew up in McAllen, Texas and attended high school in Mission, Texas. I attended a local college to learn a trade, but quickly realized that wasn’t what I wanted to do, so I started working on my associate’s degree to pursue business. I graduated from South Texas College about a year and half ago and then applied to UHCL. It’s really cool to see the diversity in Houston, that’s something I haven’t been exposed to in the past. It’s really good exposure and I really appreciate that I’m getting to know people and their cultures. 

Q: What challenges did you overcome to get to this point?

Silva: My siblings and I are first-generation college students. My parents both grew up as migrant workers, and they are more successful now, but I am grateful that they created the opportunity to get me here.

No, my parents weren’t able to give a lot of advice about college, but whatever challenges that might come my way, it’s ok because they gave me the opportunity to get here and it’s a part of my personal growth to continue building on that. 

Q: What advice do you have for other first-generation students?

Silva: The challenges of being a first-generation college student is that you have to seek advice and navigate your way without a lot of previous aid, so they have to find out how to ask the right people. It’s important for first-gen students to find the opportunities for them and to maybe find a mentor who can be a guide for them.

My dad helped me learn more about retail, but I had to learn about being a college student independently with a little help from some of my cousins. My parents may not be able to help pay for my education, but they’re there to offer moral support when I go home. They’ve made sure to let me know that I have a home with them. 

Q: What advice would you give to future students on applying or looking for internships?

Silva: For people who might not be fully aware of what kind of internship they want, I think a good place to start is figuring out where they see themselves in five years and asking what internships can help them get there. I would say to not limit yourself to applying to just one internship. Cast yourself a wide net, but make sure it’s something you’re comfortable with and satisfied doing. Also, don’t be afraid of rejection. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s something that we have to deal with. You take that feedback and use it. Maybe you didn’t get an internship this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get one the next year. You just have to continue to develop yourself and apply again.

Q: What’s next in your internship?

Silva: We’re tasked with giving presentation at the end of the 10 weeks about our initiative for the store to major H-E-B leaders, including Scott McClelland, the Houston division president. Most people know him from the commercials. Hopefully at the end, they’ll tell us to continue with our initiative, or ask us to continue working with the store or maybe even a move up to a top store leader.

Q: Any future plans after graduation?

Silva: I would love to get an MBA if it’s done in the right way and at the right time for me, but I fully intend to be a working professional by the time I graduate in 2018.