Columbia City High School celebrated the success of work-based learning internships and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs with an Internship Showcase with hundreds of students and community members.
On May 24, 2023, at Columbia City High School, 130 interns representing 186 internship experiences during the past school year presented their projects to the entire Indian Springs eighth-grade class, high school students, families, Whitley County Consolidated School administration, the school board, and internship mentors.
Internship students partner with area businesses and organizations to participate in intentional, meaningful career exploration experiences. Students can be with their partnering business for a couple of weeks, a full semester, or even a full year. These intentional experiences are coordinated with the courses students have taken through the CTE program at CCHS.
Students work with WCCS Talent Development Director, Lori Heuer, and teachers from their respective CTE programs to determine the best experience for their future goals. “In meeting with the students, we work to find an internship opportunity that will help them navigate their future path. Students benefit from these experiences in many ways, including career pathway guidance, professional networking, practical application of employability skills, and learning about future opportunities.”
During the day, 19 seniors chose to have a signing with their employers. These signings indicated future full-time employment or part-time employment while students further their education.
Signing seniors included:
Jonathon Briones with Bowen Center
Chantry Bryan with Bercot Excavating
Dominic Chacon with Plumber's & Steamfitter’s Local 166
Brenden Cook with Reeg Automotive
Marcel Harris with Novae
William Harris with Impact CNC
Andrew Hill with Microtech Welding Corporation
Alex Kelley with City Auto Mall
Cody Kessler with Ottenweller Company, Inc.
Hunter Kyler with R & R Manufacturing
Antonio Martinez with American Landmaster
Jonathan McMahon with Novae
Sam Mullett with Plumber's & Steamfitter’s Local 166
Eli Platt with J&K Communications, Inc.
Kaden Schnorr with Be Adaptive Equipment
Ethan Sievers with the Columbia City Parks Department
Ben Vogely with Microtech Welding Corporation
Klayton Warner with STAFCO
Andrew Winterrowd with Custom Home Designs
In addition, before the event, three seniors signed their intent to continue with their industries with the Indiana Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (INFAME). The partnership aims to implement career pathways, and apprenticeship-style educational programs that will create a pipeline of highly-skilled workers. The program accepts 15 applicants each year. Those seniors are:
Allen Archbold with Micropulse
Logan Dunnuck with Omnisource
Samuel Joseph with Fort Wayne Metals
Chris Brown, a business agent from Local 166 Apprenticeship, questioned how many more students he could have from Columbia City High School.
“The work ethic and dedication displayed by these students [Sam and Dominic] has been exceptional and we are the talk of our peers with this internship experience,” Brown said. “I just want to know how many more you can give us.”
Students choose internships based on their interests and classes and often find their true career interests through the experiences of the program. Student Jonathon Briones started his high school career interested in education and then found a passion at the Bowen Center.
“When I was in fourth grade, I wanted to be an architect and then junior year I chose Education Professions because I knew I wanted to work with people but I didn’t know in what capacity,” Jonathon said.
Jonathon had internship experiences in both the classroom and at the Bowen Center and signed on as a Patient Services Representative for Bowen Center upon graduation.
“My internship showed that Bowen would help with college and help me overall. I knew after a few weeks this is how I wanted to help. I love the people, I love the co-workers and I really love the job,” Jonathon said.
Businesses are invited to partner with Columbia City High School to host interns next year. Contact Lori Heuer at heuerla@wccsonline.com and learn more about our programming at wccsonline.com.
# # #
Media Contact: Dr. Laura McDermott, mcdermottla@wccsonline.com
