Dave Smith, director of aftermarket operations for Connecticut-based Pratt & Whitney, and a member of Sustainable CT’s Board of Directors, is being nationally recognized by NAF (formerly the National Academy Foundation) for making virtual internships and other career preparation opportunities available to Hartford students, most notably during the pandemic. NAF is a national nonprofit bringing together education, business and community leaders to transform the high school experience. Smith was presented with the Advisory Board Champion Award at the annual NAF Next conference.
Smith leads the Advisory Board for the NAF Pathways Academy of Technology and Design and chairs the Academy of Engineering and Green Technology at Hartford Public High School (HPHS). Amid the pandemic, at a time when internship and career preparation programs were extremely limited, Smith collaborated with other board members to oversee virtual internship programs, mentoring, guest speaker events and other career preparation opportunities. Smith’s advocacy and commitment led to countless introductory and career advancement opportunities for local students, while also providing stability during an otherwise tumultuous school year. Under Smith’s leadership, companies from around the Hartford area hosted 68 local student interns during the summer of 2020.
Joa Marquex, Class of ‘20, Hartford Public High School, is a NAF HPHS pathway alum, and today she is part of the Class of ‘24 at University of Connecticut. Of her experience, Marquex said, “Without this internship I would not have gotten a feeling of what it is to be a part of a huge company. Not many have that chance, so it’s amazing to me.”