For high school students figuring out their next steps, transitioning from the classroom to a career can feel like a massive leap. That is exactly why the Central Rivers AEA work-based learning program bridges the gap by building partnerships between schools and local businesses. Instead of just sitting in a classroom, students get early, hands-on experience in real workplaces that match their interests.
Take Grady, for example, who did his placement at Amperage Marketing, jumping straight into professional video production. Grady didn’t just learn technical skills; he learned how a professional team communicates to bring a project to life. He quickly became involved in daily projects, realizing that the work he contributed was actually going out to real clients.
“Partnering for this internship experience was incredibly rewarding,” noted his mentor, Brian Foelskeat, at Amperage Marketing. “I truly enjoyed working with a student who was so eager to learn about a career I’ve spent nearly 30 years in. Grady jumped right in, asking great questions and immediately helping our team produce both internal promotional videos and client work that actually aired on broadcast TV. It provided our team with an invaluable extra resource while giving Grady hands-on experience with the exact tools he’ll use if he pursues video production.”
This experience completely solidified his future path, giving him the confidence to know exactly what he wants to study in college and pursue as a career.
Similarly, another student, Taylor, joined the program to get experience at Steege Construction Inc. Working directly alongside experienced professionals allowed Taylor to explore parts of the trade he never knew existed while gaining confidence and learning how the working world operates.
“Partnering for this experience was incredibly rewarding, especially being able to work with a student who shares a genuine interest in the trade I’ve been proud to work in for over 20 years,” said his supervisor, Serena Zwanziger, at Steege Construction.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for our field employees to step up and share their construction expertise, while also helping raise awareness for our business within the community.”
What makes this program truly successful is that local businesses benefit just as much as the students. Mentors at Amperage Marketing noted that having young people in the office challenged their full-time team to think differently and look at their own work with fresh eyes.
Meanwhile, in hands-on fields like building and contracting, students provide vital help. Instead of pulling a second full-time worker away from a project, supervisors at Steege Construction Inc have been able to rely on Taylor to help with two-person jobs, allowing the business to finish tasks they otherwise wouldn’t have the extra hands for.
On top of the daily help, businesses get their name out in the community and introduce local youth to great job opportunities right in their own backyard.
Both mentors strongly agree that other organizations should jump at the chance to get involved. As Brian at Amperage Marketing shared, “I highly encourage other businesses to support work-based learning and internships. It is a massive benefit for students to see the day-to-day reality of these jobs, allowing them to work through projects from start to finish and truly discover if it’s a career path they love.”
Serena at Steege Construction echoed this sentiment, adding, “I would strongly encourage other companies to participate. It gives students invaluable, hands-on, real-world experience in industries they are curious about – and for some, it might even introduce them to a rewarding career path they hadn’t considered before.”
Ultimately, our work-based learning program gives students a head start that helps them stand out when applying for jobs or scholarships later on. Whether a placement helps a student find their dream career or realize a certain path isn’t the right fit, the real-world exposure is incredibly valuable. The program thrives because local business owners and workers – remembering those who showed them the ropes years ago – are proud to give back and guide the next generation.
To learn more about how you can support a student’s journey, please reach out to Heather Gould, Executive Director of Educational Services at Central Rivers AEA. Your partnership could be the moment a student like Grady or Taylor discovers their path.