DCHS career programs; one new, one revamped
By Jenna Buehler Comet writer-intern

Experiencing it all Carroll County Prosecutor's office secretaries Beth Morrison and Deb Stevens, intern Shane Evans and county prosecutor Tricia Thompson break from tedious court and office work. Comet photo by Jenna Buehler

There are now two ways for Delphi Community High School junior and senior students to gain job experience during school. In one, students receive financial compensation, but in each students are directed toward future aspirations.

The new class titled Inter-Cooperative Education (ICE), permits students to gain class credit while earning wages at the workplace.

ICE students receive three credits, one from classroom work and two from job experience.

According to Barb Broedel, first year ICE teacher at DCHS, while in class students are taught how to manage health wellness, goal setting, career planning, taxes and budgets. Outside of class students gain hands-on experience, learning not only about careers but about themselves as well.

"Some of these students are seniors and still don't know what they want to do after school," said Broedel. "It's a really tough question and that is what this experience is all about figuring out."

Broedel explained forming the class and finding area employers willing to work with the ICE program was challenging.

"I've made connections with other ICE teachers in the area," she said. "I hope to have as strong as a program as Carroll and Twin Lakes each have one of these days. I hope to get more jobs like what students want to do. It takes a lot of work."

Broedel claims students are challenged yet rewarded with positive results and greater responsibility from the class so far.

"We lost a lot of students in the beginning of the year. As a result the enrollment process will be different next year and students will be interviewed for class openings," explained Broedel. "I hold them at higher standards in here. When students go out into the community they are representing the school. This is a great student opportunity where students are able to hold a paying job while gaining class credit."

The internship class of twelve years, in which students gain class credit but no financial compensation, has undergone changes in the recent year. According to DCHS teacher of 27 years Beth Theobald, the DCHS internship program is more advantageous than ever with the school's new block scheduling. It allows for the class to meet alternating days and for longer periods of time.

"We had to revamp the class for block scheduling," explained Theobald. "This year the kids got hit hard the very first week. But by the third week most of them were already out gaining experience in the field. Block scheduling has given us a lot of options to work with."

Theobald begins each year by taking an "interest inventory." Once students select where they want to gain experience, she begins what she calls the "matchmaker process."

"We have a few kids each year who want to intern as travel agents or graphic designers. In our small community, it's sometimes hard to find flexibility in those areas," she said. "But I tell them no matter where they are they'll find something that is applicable and will ultimately become further directed towards a career path that is right for them."

Theobald contacts area businesses generally within Carroll County for class recruitment. She makes sure the workplace understands class requirements. Once students are accepted at a site, the business, school, parents, and students are required to sign a liability contract.

Theobald led two internship classes this semester, one each blocked day. Students interned in a variety of fields including animal science, law, health services, business and education. When students meet with her, paperwork is submitted and workplace issues are discussed.

"I tell them at the beginning of each year, they are going to see it all - the good, the bad, and the ugly," she said. "It's fun to see what each student experienced. I love it. It's a great class."

DCHS senior Natalie Garrison held an internship with Dr. Lawrence Stauffer at the Carroll County Veterinary Clinic. According to Natalie, she has completed nine weeks at Stauffer's office and has interned more than 50 hours.

"I was really nervous the first day," Garrision said. "I didn't know what to expect, but Dr. Stauffer is really good at answering any questions during surgery. I've got to see some neat stuff, like the amputation of a cat's leg, and the usual weighing, cleaning, spaying and neutering. In the beginning I would just stand back and watch, but I've become more involved each time."

Garrison has recently been accepted to Purdue University's pre-veterinary program.

"Growing up on the farm and showing animals in 4-H has really helped me decide what I want to do," said Garrison. "It's the farm life that has made me want to pursue the veterinary field. The internship program has really helped me to do that."

DCHS senior Shane Evans currently holds an internship with Carroll County Prosecutor Tricia Thompson. He says he learned various things about the profession from Thompson and deputy prosecutor Christine Smith.

"I've learned that there are many rewarding things about being a prosecutor," said Evans. "But, at the same time there are some negatives to the profession like higher stress levels. It's a demanding job that is worthwhile in the end. I'm glad they've given me the opportunity to experience it all."

Thompson claims she would host an intern again, because it provides a change of pace to office routine and is a beneficial experience for students.

"We get caught up in the office day to day, having an intern makes us stop and think about the outside perspective," she said. "We've tried to give Shane a glimpse at every part of an investigation. We just want him to experience various aspects of a case and to have fun while learning about it."