MT. GILEAD, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)–High school students in Morrow County are getting a head start on their future careers, thanks to paid internships offered by local employers. The internships, available to students in grades 9-12, are part of the Ready for Hire Program, a grant-funded initiative coordinated through Marion Goodwill and facilitated by the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center (ESC).
The program, devised in partnership with the SPARC Council and the Mid-Ohio ESC Business Advisory Council, aims to increase student professional and technical skills needed for workplace success. Currently, students are gaining valuable experience interning at various locations including the Selover Public Library in Chesterville, Goodwill in Mt. Gilead, and Mt. Gilead High School.
Chenee Hart, a Mt. Gilead High School student interning at the Goodwill Store in Mt. Gilead, shared her positive experience, stating, “The internship is helping me figure out what I want to do with my future.”
Other local businesses, including The Capitol Theatre, Morrow County Office, E.D.S. The Sauce Guys, The Purple Indian, and Woodside Village Care Center are seeking interns to fill a variety of roles. Participation in an internship not only provides students with valuable work experience for their resumes and college applications but also helps them work toward earning their OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal, a credential that applies toward graduation. In some cases, students may even receive full-time employment following their internship.
Students interested in these opportunities can contact Becky Nolen, the Morrow County Site Coordinator, for more information or to apply for an internship.