District Five Students Gain Hands-On Learning Experience Through Valuable Internship
Internship Program Designed to Cultivate Future Success for Students
Irmo, SC – School District Five has once again illustrated its commitment towards the academic and career growth of its students by providing valuable internship and work-based learning opportunities. The goal of this initiative is to equip students with practical experience and knowledge that go beyond classroom teachings, thereby preparing them for the post-high school journey.
Building Construction Students Learn Through Internship
Six high school students from the Building Construction program at District Five’s Center for Advanced Technical Studies (The Center) recently had an opportunity to work as interns with Loveless Commercial Contracting. The interns actively participated in various stages of a commercial remodel project located in Chapin, under the supervision of Ken Loveless and Michael Diaz from the Center.
During this 8-week internship, the students— Jackson Brummage, Arely Cabrera, Luke Hilton, Cooper Jones, Kolin Kunkle, and Sidney Powers— received valuable training and insight into the construction industry, exploring numerous career paths in fields such as construction internships, apprenticeships, and higher education institutions with relevant programs.
Sharing his experiences from the internship, Sidney Powers said, “I really enjoyed visiting with the surveyor because it was really cool. The job seems very interesting and it is one of those jobs that flies under the radar.”
Connecting Classroom Instruction with Real-World Experiences
Michael Diaz, the Building Construction teacher at The Center, emphasized the importance of imbuing classroom instruction with real-world experiences. Students benefit immensely from hands-on learning guided by industry professionals to cement their understanding of the occupational landscape.
These internships are an outcome of a 2-year program at The Center, where students have the opportunity to earn credit through a 3rd-year internship class. These internships expose students to diverse experiences within the building construction arena, ranging from trade careers to more advanced post-secondary pathways.
Building Relationships and Essential Skills
Ken Loveless, the owner of Loveless Commercial Contracting, highlighted the role of internships in helping students grow and acquire critical skills. Internships, he suggests, facilitate building strong relations with employers who have vested their interest in the professional growth of their employees.
Diverse Opportunities for Students
The Center offers specialized courses in 18 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. This provides students with an opportunity to explore different fields like Aerospace Engineering, Culinary Arts, Cyber Security/Networking, Veterinary Science, and various others. This initiative is a part of District Five’s endeavor to cater to the unique interests of every student and empower them with the skills and experiences essential for their future success.
