High school course gives students real-world job experience

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Fifteen Aviano High School students have been getting some valuable first-hand work experience this school year, thanks to the High School's career practicum course and the assistance of several base units and organizations.

The course, now in its 35th year, affords seniors and juniors the opportunity to intern with base units that feature the student's career field of interest, ranging from vehicle maintenance and metals technology to education and medical-related fields.

"This is such a valuable program to our students," said Kimberly James, career practicum course instructor and ninth grade counselor. "To get this kind of exposure in the field of their interest this early on really puts them ahead of the game. They go through all the experiences of getting a job in the real-world, from the interview process to clocking in and out and getting quarterly evaluations. This experience can really give them a competitive edge depending on their field. I've had students call back and tell me they've been selected for programs over their peers because of their involvement in this course."

During the course, the students spend the first two weeks conducting a field survey to see which career fields they are most suited for, as well as learning how to write a resume and preparing for an interview.

"Based on what they've learned, I have the students contact those offices on base that they wish to intern at to explain their situation and set up an interview to see if the office is willing to 'hire' them for the school year," said Ms. James. "They bring their resume and dress up for the interview just as though they were an adult in the real-world applying for a job."

It is then up to the office as to if they can handle taking on an intern or not, but more than not, base units have been extremely accommodating, said Ms. James.

"We've had students interested in a broad spectrum of career fields," she said. "We've had students accepted into vehicle maintenance, civil engineering, the medical group in pediatrics, family practice, OB-GYN and orthopedics, the Health and Wellness Center, lodging, multimedia, Armed Forces Network, the post office, barbershop, metals technology, elementary school and the La Dolche Vita for culinary skills - you name it, they've done it."

Once accepted, the students work out a schedule with the supporting unit, averaging about two to three hours a day, two to three days a week, depending on the student's course load.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Gonyea, 31st Maintenance Group metals technology section chief, said the experience of taking on a high school intern this year has been a unique and valuable opportunity.

"We treat the interns as we would a technical school graduate," said Sergeant Gonyea. "They're indoctrinated into the shop and schooled on all safety aspects required. From that point, they begin manufacturing and welding support equipment, locally manufactured items and so on."

"This program is extremely beneficial to both our shop and the interns," the sergeant said. "It's a great tool for my three-levels to hone their skills and what better way to ingrain what you learn than to teach it to someone else. The students really benefit from the real-world experience too. We treat them as we would any member of the shop and expect the same performance out of them as we would a regular machinist. It can be a good lesson on how the real world can be."

Staff Sgt. Todd Kabalan, NCO in-charge of radio for AFN Detachment 8, said the program has also been beneficial to Det. 8 and its intern, Tyler Leahy, son of Capt. Timothy and Monica Leahy, 31st Comptroller Squadron.

"Tyler was really interested in possibly pursuing a film career in college and wanted to see how our mission incorporates shooting and editing video and the tricks we use to get the military story out to our audience," said Sergeant Kabalan. "In the couple of weeks we've had him so far, we've given him the rundown of broadcasting and how it relates to what he wants to do. He helps with producing the 'Aviano News Minute' that airs multiple times daily. He's also helped me interview CE after the recent storm to discuss the damage and cleanup and we've had him edit one of our TV spots on a regular basis to get him used to using complex computer editing software, which is something he will use in college if he chooses the film/TV route."

"I think this course is a great way for students interested in this career field to really see what its like behind all the 'glitz' and 'glamour' and to see all the work that goes on behind the scenes," the sergeant added. "It's also nice for us to have someone so interested in what we do and to be able to teach them. It makes our job worthwhile. Plus, we have a large high school-age audience, so having interns like Tyler, brings a fresh perspective in finding out what our younger audience wants to see or hear on the radio and TV."

During the school year, each student is given a quarterly evaluation from their worksite supervisor and by Ms. James that grades their work-related behavior, general development and specific job-related skills. Ms. James also does site visits every few months to see how the students are conducting themselves.

"These visits are always a great chance for me to really see how things are going," said Ms. James. "The students are usually pretty excited too to show me all the things they've learned and are doing."

Aviano High School senior Austin Cooper, son of Master Sgt. Scott and Rachel Stewart of the 31st Maintenance Group, said he has learned a lot in just a short time working with Tech. Sgt. Richard Cole and other members of the 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance flight.

"I've always been into fixing vehicles, having watched my stepdad work on cars and trucks growing up," Austin said. "I'm really glad I took the career practicum class this year. I've already learned how to change a transmission, about the fuel emissions system, how to install a radiator and of course, all about safety. It's been a great experience so far."

Aviano High School senior Drew James, brother of Tech Sgt. Lesley Seaton and Eadskel Caul, said he has also enjoyed his internship at the barbershop located in Area 1.

"I've been cutting hair for about three years now, but never in a barbershop," Drew said. "Working in this environment has been a great experience. They've taught me a lot and it's been a lot of fun."

At the end of the semester, each student is required to make a 10-minute presentation with visuals to Aviano Middle School students about their experiences in the course, said Ms. James. The presentations must include information on what they've learned, training requirements, schooling, salary and their likes and dislikes of the job.

"This is a great way to bring it all together," said Ms. James. "It 's also a great recruiting tool for future high school students to become involved in the program when they become juniors or seniors."

For more information on the career practicum course, contact Ms. James at 632-5919.