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Learning through work Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming Shauna Graven, 17, a junior at Ashland High, gets some friendly advice from Captain Jack, head chef at Callahan�s, at the front desk where Graven works booking reservations and checking in guests. Graven is earning a paycheck as well as class credit in the school�s Service Learning Program. Ashland students explore careers in job service program By Tony Boom ASHLAND � Do what you love, the saying goes, and the money will follow. Ashland High School students are discovering that maxim firsthand in the school�s Service Learning Program, which helps them find a career path they�ll enjoy � and sometimes a paycheck in the process. Shauna Graven, 17, books reservations and checks in guests at Callahan�s Lodge. After participating in the internship program for three years in unpaid positions at other businesses, she�s now earning a salary. And loving it. The Certificate of Advanced Mastery CAM, the Certificate of Advanced Mastery, is part of an Oregon legislative program started in the 1990s to ensure that Oregon would have a well-qualified work force for the 21st century. The CAM is awarded in addition to a high school diploma. Students must first earn a Certificate of Initial Mastery to be eligible to work for the CAM. In addition to the 100-hour service learning requirement, Ashland students must also complete other CAM requirements. Students follow established pathways after selecting one of six endorsement areas. They are: health services, natural resources, arts and communication, industrial engineering, business and management, and human resources. A business and management endorsement student must complete specified units in business, accounting, Web design, desktop publishing/journalism, computer applications and advertising. They also complete two units from among elective courses in computers, international trade or Web pages. Besides the classes and the service learning, students also undertake additional endorsement area experiences. These could include four hours of job shadowing, a self-designed project that could fulfill the senior project requirement or work in the Student Store. Each school district devises its own programs to fulfill CAM requirements. "At first I was really shy with customers," Graven said. "But you get used to it. It�s the first job I�ve had that I really enjoy." While Graven and other students gain insights into the world of work, the program gives Ashland High School some experience in administering the Certificate of Advanced Mastery, a state-mandated program. Counselor Pete Cislo oversees 35 students in internships, 125 in paid work experience and 15 in community service efforts in the program, which began four years ago. Freshmen who started the program this school year will need to complete 100 hours of service learning to earn a diploma from Ashland High School and to receive the CAM, a certification of work-force preparation. "We�re asking kids to make some decisions about their areas of interest," said Cislo. "If you can make a living doing something you like to do, we are all better off." Interns are now placed with more than 35 organizations, including Butler Ford, Flower Tyme, Wiley�s Pasta Company, Les Schwab, Artisan Press and Winchester Inn. They also work in community service organizations. Through the program, students earn one credit in career education for 100 hours of service. The credit counts toward the 50 credits they need to receive a diploma. Cislo is seeing more freshmen come into the program as word of the requirement spreads. "Kids like to get out, off campus, and to do things," said Cislo. "Freshmen ... get some experience and can get that confidence that �I can deal with an adult other than a mother or father�." Graven�s job at Callahan�s puts her into a field that she thinks may be her career choice � hospitality and tourism. The job has taught her other skills as well, such as keeping track of money and closing daily financial records. She�s learned the necessity of getting calculations right. She also serves as a hostess for the restaurant. Last school year, Graven interned for Ashland Springs Hotel prior to its opening in November. She also worked with interior designer Casey Mitchell, creating floor plans, meeting with clients and learning about fabrics� role in design. Another intern, Nellie Stadtherr, 17, a senior, created her own position, which turned into a paying job at a local restaurant and bakery. She completed her 100 hours of internship during December while also working for wages at the Apple Cellar. Stadtherr now works as a sales representative, distributing the bakery�s products across Jackson and Josephine counties. She also organized tasting sessions at grocery stores and a health food fair to acquaint customers with products. "I call all accounts once per week," said Stadtherr. "I think it should be more personal than just service." Students can try several different positions to fulfill their requirement. Many are subsequently hired by the businesses where they have an internship. Potential interns are interviewed as if they were applying for a regular job. Cislo requires each student to sign an internship contract that spells out their responsibilities. The contract requires them to write a paper describing what they did, how they did it and what they learned. Students must also keep a log of work site activities. Parents and the internship site coordinator also sign contracts. The firms provide on-site insurance. Business hire some student interns permanently Businesses don�t just benefit from the free help provided through internship programs. They can train students likely to become future employees and gain a sense of satisfaction by educating others and helping to determine career paths. "I like the feeling of being a mentor and teaching young people that are interested in this line of work. It helps them make decisions about what they like to do," said Lou Ann David, owner of Flower Tyme in Ashland. "I like the energy the young people bring into the store." Two interns who worked at the store last year are called in for holiday help, special jobs or to fill in for regular employees who are away. " I just find that they are very appreciative of anything that I teach them," said David. "They don�t just learn about how to make flower arrangements, but also get to see how a busy retail store operates and everything involved from unpacking to paying bills." David would like to have more interns if they are really willing to work and to do the same things that any other employee does. She currently has one intern. "As of now, we probably have half a dozen employees who have been hired (after working as interns)," said Brian Hancock, director of parts and service for Butler Accura/Hyundai. Others have been hired then moved on to other jobs in the automotive field. Hancock likes to start interns working on the lot washing cars, chasing parts or serving as shuttle drivers. Many of the kids shadow a technician or other worker before an internship. "Interns have to come with open eyes," said Hancock. "I stress that we need a strong work ethic. With that we can build an employee." The car business is self-teaching. Students not likely to continue with more formal education after high school can get into the car business and make a real good living, says Hancock. Workers in the car business can also choose where they want to live. "If you like the romance of automobiles, what could be more fun than playing with latest and greatest stuff," said Hancock. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.