Superintendent Brian Garverick and Denny Snyder, career tech director at Mansfield Senior High School, talk with Debra Bey of the Culliver Reading Center at Friday’s student intern program at the Renaissance Theatre.
More than 60 area business and education leaders gathered Friday morning to discuss the benefits of creating opportunities for high school and college students to serve business and industry internships.
Superintendent Brian Garverick and Denny Snyder, Mansfield City Schools’ career tech program director, participated in the session at the Renaissance Theatre. It was sponsored by the Richland Community Development Group.
John Brown, president of Richland Bank, said employers who create internships can help to change a major misperception about Richland County.
“Many young people in high school and college want to go far away because they believe there are no jobs here,” Brown said. “That’s just not true. There are jobs to be filled. Employers are looking for bright young people.”
Brown, who grew up in Newark, said misperceptions can stifle community growth.
“When I moved here four years ago I found this to be a wonderful place to live and work,” he said. “But those who have lived here their entire lives don’t always see the positives.
“If there is one thing we could do collectively to change perceptions and keep young people here, it’s the opportunity for internships in business and industry. It can have a profound effect on the local economy.”
Garverick, who grew up in Mansfield, agreed with Brown’s assessment.
“We have had students at Mansfield Senior High School whose successful internships led to post-secondary and career successes,” he said. “We have students now who could benefit as interns for local business and industry.”
Garverick mentioned Jeff Cramer, who began working at MKC Associates in Mansfield while a senior in the computer-aided drafting (CAD) class at Senior High. Cramer went on to work 12 years at MKC, attended North Central State College and the University of Toledo and now teaches the CAD class.
Ashland University professor Khushwant Pittenger, coordinator of AU’s business and economics internship program, advised employers to “keep it simple” when implementing an internship.
“Just get started; that’s the most important thing. Don’t worry about a detailed design,” she said. “You do need a job description. What can this student do? That’s your No. 1 priority.”
Pittenger said two other essential elements of an internship are a safe, effective work environment and effective mentoring and supervision.