Interns learning on local job sites

When Kirkland May opens his own construction company, he’ll have David’s Handyman Service and Reps Gym to thank for teaching him how to be a successful business owner.
“It’s great learning to manage a business,” May, a senior at Eunice High School, said as he cleaned equipment at Reps on a recent Tuesday afternoon. “I’ve been working out here (as a customer), and I suggested that I do my internship here through David’s Handyman Service.”
“I get to learn and, after I get off, I get to work out,” he added, laughing.
May is one of about 60 Eunice High students who have participated in area internships since the school joined the state’s Co-Operative Part-time Career and Technical Internship program in 2002. The program is overseen by the Department of Education and the Department of Labor.
Prior work experience is a plus for students, whether they are graduating from high school or college, and relevant work experience makes them attractive job candidates to potential employers. Students are able to gain work experience and work on their technical, communication and critical thinking skills. Employers are also providing themselves with a pool of future, qualified job candidates.
Four days a week, May provides handyman services at Reps Gym in the mid-afternoon hours, and his assignments include vacuuming, minor repairs and cleaning windows, mirrors and exercise machines.
“It’s pretty cool to learn to take care of a pool, too,” May said, laughing. “I like the people I work with and the people I get to meet.”
After graduation, May plans to join the Marine Corps and then possibly go on to a career in the production division of the oil and gas industry.
“I’d eventually like to open my own construction business,” he said. “I hope the things I learn at this internship will help me run my business.”
Rebecca Berzas, Agriscience and Future Farmers of America teacher at EHS, heads up the school’s internship program, and she sees firsthand the importance of the hands-on experience students receive in the state’s work force.
“For some, it’s a real eye opener into the job market, and many of them say they learn so much at the internships,” Berzas said. “I try to place each student in the best job for them. I ask them what they want to be when they graduate and try to find a job that relates to their job interest.”
“I also want to match the right business with right student so that it’s a good learning experience. It doesn’t cost anybody anything, but some business do choose to pay the interns.”
According to Berzas, only a select handful of students, who must be juniors or seniors and have successfully complete her Agriculture II class, are eligible to participate in the internship program each year.
“I have got to have a student who is ready,” she said. “It can’t be just anybody. They have to be mature enough to handle it.”
The internships are usually completed during the summer between student’s junior and senior year, but this year students are allowed to complete the internship during the school year to earn their credit in the Career Cooperative Internship II course. The student, his or her parents, and the business must all sign off on the internship before it begins.
“I had more businesses than I imagined open their doors to our students,” Berzas said.
Area business that have employed interns include local farmers, Miller’s Vet Clinic, McGee Rental, Sattler Supply, Eunice Animal Hospital, Northside Vet Clinic, Tan-Mar, Toepfer’s Manufacturing, Service Machine Specialties, Bayou Des Cannes Water System and several insurance companies.
“Internships at Quality Equipment are quite popular, too,” she added.
During the internship, students must do journaling on their work experiences, fill out questionnaires and upload photos of themselves working to the FFA website. Transportation to and from the internships is not provided, and students must show up on time and carry out their work duties to the satisfaction of the business owner.
“We are trying to give the students another way to learn besides doing bookwork all the time,” Berzas said.
Berzas hopes to partner with LSU Eunice in the future to keep EHS graduates involved in their internships should they decide to attend the college.
Internships have long been part of college curriculum, and the university also assists students with securing work experience prior to graduation. Some of the internships are part of a student’s curriculum while others are voluntary. The school’s Career Services Office, which assists students with finding internships, opened in 2002, and the college typically has a handful of students participate in internships -- many paid -- each semester.
“If the internship is not part of a student’s degree plan, we make sure the career is of interest to them,” said Atina Wright, coordinator of career services and coordinator of the business internship program at LSUE.
Hana Quebedeaux, a business management in accounting major from Arnaudville, started an internship at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Opelousas at the end of last spring. Things went so well during the internship, she was offered the Staple Stock Receiving Management position at the center in August.
“Ms. Stephanie Guillory (coordinator for business and technology and accounting instructor) spoke about the internship and explained the requirements for applying,” Quebedeaux said. “I decided to apply because graduating students with internship (experience) on their resumes have a much better chance landing a full-time job after graduating.”
Prior to permanently joining the staff at the distribution center, Quebedeaux planned on seeking a job at an accounting firm after she graduates this month.
“As an intern, I got to experience and gain knowledge of how fascinating the business of logistics worked,” Quebedeaux said. “I now understand the progression of how freight is received, handled, processed and shipped. I also got to be part of a great leadership and management team who showed and practiced outstanding skills that are very beneficial with my career today.”
“Understanding logistics helps me recognize the responsibility I, as a Receiving Manager of Walmart DC 6048, have that can impact Walmart as a whole company. As I continue to grow as a manager and leader, I am glad I have such immense leaders to look up to.”
Quebedeaux also enjoyed establishing relationships with mentors and gaining knowledge that will impact her future career.
“The job experience students gain at an internship is invaluable,” Guillory said. “When potential employers hear that students worked at an internship, they want their resumes.”
In addition to Walmart, LSU Eunice students have also completed internships at State Farm, Tower Loan and several local CPA firms and manufacturing and service companies.
“Walmart, State Farm and CPA firms are more popular internship choices,” Guillory said. “They (these particular business) all want interns, and they train them.”
“When we had a paralegal program, those internships were very popular, too,” Wright said. “We still have people who call looking for paralegal interns.”
“I hope one day we can bring the paralegal program back.”
According to Guillory, the internship experience sticks with students and many go on to careers in their internship field.
“One intern worked at Super One, and he went to work for the company,” Guillory said. “He got a huge promotion and now lives in Tyler, Texas (where the store is headquartered).”
“Another interned at Sam’s Club and went on to work at Walmart. Then Whole Foods offered him a job, he took it and then Walmart offered him another job and he took that one. They were fighting over him.”
“We do followups with the interns (those who complete voluntary ones),” Wright said. “We ask if they enjoyed the experience, if it was beneficial to them. It’s a win-win.”