This spring, 25 Geauga County businesses offered up 43 opportunities to High School Interns this summer. Fifty-nine (59) students applied and interviewed for those positions, and the results are in.
Through the organizational skills and professional guidance of Geauga Growth Partnership’s Internship Program Coordinator Georgia Klemencic, 59 juniors and seniors from Berkshire, Ledgemont, Auburn Career Center, Cardinal, Chardon, Kenston, Newbury, West Geauga, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin, Ohio Virtual Academy and Home schools took advantage of the opportunity to prepare resumes, interview with at least four companies each, hear feedback on their communications and interview skills, and practice how to best present their skills and talents.
During the Internship Program orientation held Tuesday, May 12 at Kent State University-Geauga, the placements were announced and students, parents and employers all had the chance to meet.
Sponsoring employers have captured the vision for this program by providing knowledge of the business world along with skills training and experience. Marianne Parker of Flambeau, who participated as a sponsor in the program for the first time in 2014, reports success. “My overall experience with our [2014] intern through GGP was fantastic. I would highly recommend this program to any Geauga County business. Our intern was an instant asset not only to our customer service team but to the company as well.”
Past years have proven success for the students as well. McCulloch LaForce, a student who completed the internship program in 2014, gave feedback after her experience, stating, “The internship has really helped me gain confidence in my ability to do challenging tasks. I was given an investigative research project that one employee had been working on as a side project for several months. It took me awhile but I completed it and actually enjoyed trying to figure it out.”
During the May 12th orientation, students were given a brief training from a series of guest speakers. Lee Imhof, president of Troy Chemical Industries, Inc., spoke on the importance of punctuality in the workplace. Erin Frank, sales and marketing manager for Fowlers Mill Golf Course, Powderhorn and Legend Lake Golf Club, addressed the importance of first impressions. Marianne Parker, human resources manager for Flambeau, Inc., spoke on professionalism; Barbara Titus, VP for Sheoga Hardwood Flooring & Paneling, addressed communications in the workplace and Steve Peter, Consultant, reminded students of the importance of enthusiasm on the job.
Interns will be employed through the summer, and gain valuable work experience. The purpose of Geauga Growth Partnership’s Internship program is to “Build Tomorrow’s Workforce Today,” by providing this real-world experience to learn not only skills required in varying trades, but more importantly the “soft skills” so critical to success in work and life.
For more information visit www.geaugagrowthpartnership.com, contact info@geaugagrowth.com or call 440-564-1060.
Not pictured: Carlton Allen (Exscape Designs); Vanessa Allen (Montville Plastics); Jonathan Anderson (Bremec Landscaping); Faith Brown (Great Lakes Cheese); McKenna Brown (Chow Down Catering); Christin Dornback ( Geauga County Maple Leaf); Margaret Kinpkof (Fowler’s Mills Gold Course); Jessica Koches (Troy Chemical); Klarissa Lipstreu (Iron Cowboy Productions); Cole Prots (Moving Water); Kyle Storm (Arms Trucking); Adam Thompson ( Sand Ridge Golf Club); Katelyn Luther (University Hospitals); Madalyn Timmons (Geauga Growth Partnership)
