Columbus County Schools expands internships; students report job offers and clarified career paths
Summary
The district's new career development coordinator described a growing internship program (five current interns, four paid) and student testimonials that included a job offer and clarified career direction; the board praised the program and staff outlined plans to double internships next semester and add college credit.
Tina Little, CTE director for Columbus County Schools, introduced Angela Zockel, the district's new career development coordinator, who outlined the district internship program and plans to expand it next semester. Zockel described how internships connect students to local employers, provide employability skills, and in some cases include pay and potential college credit.
Zockel said five students are participating this semester (four from South Columbus High School and one from East Columbus). Two students spoke to the board: Brian Gonzales, a South Columbus senior interning at McLeod Health, said the internship changed his plan from military service toward a 2-year electrical engineering path and that McLeod planned to create a position for him after he impressed supervisors; Anna Hernandez, also a South Columbus senior interning with Dr. Martin at Southern Veterinary Hospital, said the experience helped her learn she might pursue a different path than becoming a veterinarian after seeing day-to-day realities.
Zockel told the board four of the internships are paid and the program is pursuing college credit opportunities through Southeastern Community College for next semester. She is expanding outreach to more employers and expects the program to grow beyond its initial goal of 10 interns for the second semester. Board members praised the work, noting its alignment with workforce and Grow Your Own initiatives and the district's goal to keep students in Columbus County.
Next steps: the CTE office will continue outreach in the community, recruit more host employers, work on college-credit articulation, and report back on internship placements and outcomes.
