• interns
     

    ST. LOUIS, MO. February 26, 2013 – In January, 330 SLPS seniors participating in the District’s Career and Technical Education pathways advanced out into the community to learn from master tradesmen and women through individualized internships designed to enhance classroom instruction with hands-on learning.

     

    “Internships are a vital component of career and technical education,” said Tim Murrell, Executive Director of the District’s Office of Career and Technical Education. “Students need experience working in the field to better understand the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the concepts they are taught in the classroom.” 

     

    For example, at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy, approximately 140 seniors have been placed in internships around the city. Two students, Brittany Allen and Kiana Bland, both seniors in the school’s Hospitality and Tourism Pathway, are spending the semester at The Westin St. Louis learning about hotel and restaurant management.

     

    “I want to start my own wedding planning business, and thanks to my internship here at the Westin I have had the opportunity to plan and work several events,” said Allen, who interns in the Sales Department and plans to attend St. Louis Community College-Forest Park and major in Hospitality Management.

     

    Bland, who wants to run a hotel after college, began her internship working in The Westin St. Louis’ General Public Area of the Housekeeping Department. She has been accepted to Southeast Missouri State University, Missouri State University, and Avila College.

     

    The Westin St. Louis, a longstanding partner with Clyde C. Miller Career Academy, served on the Hospitality and Tourism Pathway’s steering committee, helping to design the academic program. It has offered internships to students since the school opened in 2004.

     

    In order for District students to participate in Career & Technical Education (CTE) Internships they must meet the following requirements:

    Ø  Be currently enrolled in the senior year of a two-year Career & Technical Education Pathway

    Ø  Have a minimum of 16 credit hours of the 24 credit hours required for graduation and on track to graduate

    Ø  Be recommended by the appropriate CTE instructor on the basis of demonstrated knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors

     

    In addition to meeting the requirements above, both Bland and Allen had to create a portfolio and interview with management at The Westin St. Louis, who then made the final decision.   The internships are expected to last the entire semester.

     

    “Internships are designed to help students prepare for the next step in their lives, whether it is post-secondary education or a job, by challenging them to do the day-to-day operations of their career choice,” said Marianela McInturff, Hospitality and Tourism Pathway Teacher at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy. 

     

     

    Nationally, Career and Technical Education has garnered support to better assist students with postsecondary education, training, and/or employment. In fact, President Obama issued The President’s Plan for a Strong Middle Class & A Strong America on February 12, 2013, in conjunction with his State of the Union Address, which stated, “the President is proposing to strengthen and reform our federal investment in career and technical education to better align programs with the needs of employers and with the demands of higher education.”

     

     

    At the St. Louis Public School District, the Office of Career and Technical Education offers career and technical programs and pathways at all District high schools. 

     

    Semester-long internships are currently offered at the following area businesses: Abbott EMS, Cardinal Glennon, Missouri Botanical Gardens, BJC HealthCare, John Cochran VA St. Louis Healthcare System, Walgreens, Kids Kompany, Stray Rescue, Girl’s Inc., Tax Prep, STL-TV, Better Family Life, Dogtown Pizza, Jupiter Studios, Army Corps of Engineers, YMCA, and Gateway Metro Credit Union.

     

    In addition, the Office of Career and Technical Education offers Adult Education and Literacy; Adult Technical Education; Career Education; Secondary Technical Education; and the St. Louis Internship Program. To learn more, please call (314) 345-5727.

     

    For more information regarding this release, please contact the Office of Public Information at (314) 345-2367.

     

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    Pictured (Left to Right): Daniel M. Kaplan, General Manager & Area Managing Director of The Westin St. Louis; Kiana Bland, senior at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy; and Brittany Allen, senior at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy. Both Bland and Allen are interns at The Westin St. Louis.