The future workforce of Santa Clara Valley flocked to San Jose City Hall’s rotunda for internship opportunities on June 13.

An estimated 200 students sat across from more than 100 representatives from local businesses to interview for paid internships this summer.

This is the second year the Silicon Valley Organization has held the Strive Summer Internship Program. The organization partnered with San Jose Works and work2future Foundation and Campbell Union High School District, East Side Union High School District, Metropolitan Education District and the San Jose Unified School District.

“The goal is to continue to grow this program,” said Matthew Mahood, Silicon Valley Organization president and CEO. “It requires a village, and it requires a lot of organizations to come together.”

Students interviewed with five businesses in fields they found interesting. Each business, depending on the number of interns they were taking, were matched with students they felt fit their job description.

Last year, approximately 41 students from the East Side Union High School District and 30 businesses met to match students to internships in fields they were interested in, according to Mayra Flores De Marcotte, vice president of communications for Silicon Valley Organization.

This year the Campbell, San Jose and Metropolitan high school districts joined in the program.

There were 14 students from the Campbell Union High School District interviewing.

“It’s been really great to see how well these young people are prepared,” said Derek Distenfield, the CEO of 360 Payments, a Campbell business located on Railway Avenue. “They are prepared; they’ve researched us. They’ve got great resumes.”

Weeks prior to their interviews, students in career pathway courses at their schools were encouraged to apply for the available internships.

“This is a great opportunity to give these kids their first job opportunity, a professional job opportunity and to expose them to the workplace,” Mahood said. “It’s their first step in a career, and we’re excited to be a part of it.”

A week before sitting across from prospective employers, students were prepped by LinkedIn professionals during mock interviews and resume workshops. They were also given tips on proper interview attire.

“It really gets me excited because I feel like this is something that can help me now and in my future,” said Branham High School junior Andre Nassar, who interviewed for technology and engineering internships with tech businesses and also his own school district. “I don’t want to stay home and watch TV or stuff like that.”

Students will complete 100 to 120 hours of paid work during the summer.