OCHS’ work-based learning program offers experience, impact for students
Even as a junior, Victor Ross said he knows exactly where he is headed.
The Oglethorpe County High School work-based learning program gave him that clarity.
“This has made me relook at some of the hardware aspects of computers instead of just straight programming and computer science,” Ross said.
Ross spends seventh period and time after school working in the OCHS IT department, where he troubleshoots problems on student laptops. He said he joined the program this year to continue his summer internship.
“It’s great to be able to become familiar with having a job and working,” Ross said.
The work-based learning program at OCHS allows students to do either paid work or internships throughout the school day at various locations around and outside of Oglethorpe County. Then, a work-based learning class meets once a month as a career tech agriculture education class, so students also receive high school elective credit.
The program, with its flexible six-period schedule and various work options, is growing. The district has always had some sort of work-based program, but it has increased from about 30 participants to more than 100 in the past three years.
The students gain a variety of experiences, from working in the service industry to interning at the Oglethorpe County Elementary School as teaching assistants — and even interning in the county’s Board of Commissioners office.
Senior Kylie Peoples said her path in the program has changed to adapt to her interests.
“I really wanted to work with my teacher, be her intern, and I’ve had so much fun doing that,” she said. “Then, I really wanted to gain experience in the workforce, too.”
Now an employee at B&T’s Food Fresh Market, Peoples works five- to six-hour shifts during the week and six- to eight-hour shifts on weekends. She said the job has taught her about managing her time with schoolwork and other commitments.
“Sometimes it’s been hard, but I’ve learned to manage it,” Peoples said. “I’ve learned a lot about responsibility, and it’s helped that in that way.”
The program is run by Sara Hughes, the work-based learning coordinator at Oglethorpe County Schools, who explained that the impact on students is multifaceted.
“Some of our families depend on their high school teenage students to earn a wage and help support the family,” Hughes said. “Sometimes, they try a job or an internship, and they really love it, and it solidifies the direction they want to take for college or career.
“Then sometimes, it’s just the opposite, and they realize, this is not for me, and I love that just as much for the students.”
A few students have started their own businesses while being part of the program.
“Some of them come with a seed of an idea, or maybe a foundation, and then when they’re enrolled in work-based learning, it gives them more time to devote to that and to expand their business,” Hughes said. “We’ve been able to get them partnered with other professionals in a similar business, and students kind of branch out from there on their own as well.”
Regardless of the aim, Ross said he advises anyone considering joining the program to do so.
“Definitely do it,” he said. “It can be a great experience if it's like an internship in your field or even if it's just working in fast food.”