INTERNSHIPS LEAD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE

February 23, 2023

Anna Grace Roberson, Celebrating her acceptance to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. (Photo from Facebook)

written by Emily Prichard, Duncan High School Internship Instructor/Coordinator

Imagine your high school senior coming home from a day at school and telling you that she has found, without a doubt, what she wants to do for the rest of her life. That is exactly what happened when Anna Grace Roberson, a senior at Duncan High School, got home after her first day as a speech language pathology intern.

Anna Grace, along with 45 other Duncan High School juniors and seniors are currently participating in the Pathways to Future Careers Program for 2022-2023 school year. This program provides training and internship opportunities for students at local businesses and organizations in and around Duncan. Students spend the first few weeks of school in the classroom learning career readiness basics such as team building, resume creation, writing cover letters, researching careers, learning how to successfully interview, and other basic soft skills.

Once the students determine in what career path their interest lies, students are matched with corresponding local businesses and organizations. Students then go through the interview process, are presented job offers, and begin internships. They spend an hour and half, four days a week with these industry partners. Students learn hands-on, as they ask questions and help where needed. This process gives students an opportunity to make an informed decision about a college major or post-graduation career long before most students their age. The program is different from
many across the state, as internship sites are based on students’ interests.

Over the past six years, more than 350 students have interned with more than 150 businesses/organizations in or around the Duncan area. The opportunity Duncan High School students have to use local industry partners as non-traditional teachers is invaluable. As the program continues, the hope is to increase the number of students participating, further bridging the skills gap between secondary education and the workforce.  Duncan High School students are this community’s future and experiences like this program help ensure it will be a bright one.

Article featured in the 2022-2023 WORKFORCE UPDATE - READ the update HERE.