JVS students begin internships at ODOT

BLOOMINGDALE-Students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School are receiving real-life work experience through an internship with the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Seniors Spencer Grew, Cara Arnett, Kyle Ensell, and Zeke Roe were selected through the JVS's School-to-Work program and will work for ODOT District 11 through the summer. School Career/Work Specialist Carina Aulicino said the group will undergo orientation on Oct. 19-20 and work as mechanics and laborers, earning hourly pay above minimum wage. The orientation will introduce them to ODOT’s expectations and workplace procedures, plus they will learn about workplace safety, job responsibilities, expectations for professional conduct, attendance, and other important information they need before beginning their internships. Aulicino said orientation is an important opportunity for students to understand what will be expected of them and to begin their internship prepared to be successful.

The interns will work from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. two days a week to start, then possibly increase to three days a week following Christmas break. Aulicino said internships typically wrapped up in May, but they were extended until August to provide additional work opportunities and extra support for ODOT's workforce. However, it may also lead to permanent employment since a previous graduate joined the crew.

"This is the third year we've participated in the internship program," Aulicino said. "They take high school students in career-tech education programs related to their job descriptions."

Arnett and Roe will serve as mechanic interns at the ODOT garage along Ohio 43 in Richmond and have an opportunity to perform routine maintenance on trucks and equipment, allowing them to apply the skills they have learned in their JVS lab to real-world equipment. Grew and Ensell will act as laborer interns, serving at the county office along Cadiz Road in Steubenville and working on roadways and various projects. Their responsibilities may include holding signs, assisting with traffic control, digging, cutting grass, and performing other tasks associated with roadway and maintenance projects.

"These experiences give students the opportunity to see firsthand what it is like to work in their chosen career field," Aulicino noted.

She said school officials review students' attendance, grades, discipline record, and overall readiness for the workplace prior to making selections, plus they must meet School-to-Work eligibility requirements and receive necessary school approvals before participating.

"We want to make sure students are prepared to represent both the Jefferson County JVS and their employer in a positive and professional manner," she continued. "We are extremely excited to have our students involved in this program. It is a great opportunity for them to gain valuable, hands-on experience with an organization that could potentially provide them with a rewarding long-term career. It is also a great partnership for ODOT because they have the opportunity to introduce young people to the organization, train future employees, and help develop the workforce needed to fill positions within ODOT in the future."

The collaboration with ODOT first began when another student independently secured an internship several years ago. Since then, a relationship has formed which has proved beneficial to both sides.

"That partnership has continued to grow, and we are now able to connect multiple JVS students with ODOT internship opportunities each year. We are very appreciative of ODOT’s willingness to invest in our students and provide them with meaningful career experiences."

Meanwhile, the interns were excited about the opportunity and said they were ready to begin.

"It's going to be a good job to get into and an exceptional organization," said Grew, a student in the heavy equipment operation program who also attends Buckeye Local High School.

"I'm very excited and am still learning as I go," added Arnett, a power mechanics student from BLHS.

"I'm excited to learn new stuff," quipped Ensell, an HEO student who is also based at Buckeye Local.

"I like getting the experience and being able to jump into a job that can turn into a full-time career," commented Roe, an auto service tech student from Indian Creek High School.

Aulicino was excited about the prospect because it allows students to gain even more valuable experience and increases the amount of time they can spend learning what a career with ODOT can offer.

"We are very grateful for the partnership we have developed with ODOT. Programs like this are exactly what Work-based Learning opportunities are designed to accomplish--connecting students’ classroom and lab experiences with real-world employment. Students leave the JVS with technical skills, but opportunities like this allow them to develop those skills further while learning the importance of workplace expectations, teamwork, communication, safety, and responsibility," she concluded. "Most importantly, this gives students the opportunity to experience a career before they graduate and allows them to build relationships with an employer that could potentially lead to future employment, additional training, or a long-term career with ODOT. We appreciate ODOT’s investment in our students and their commitment to helping develop the next generation of Ohio’s workforce."