OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Planning a career path can be a difficult task for any high school senior, and participating in an internship can help confirm, and in some cases, eliminate, a choice.
This year, Old Orchard Beach High School implemented a requirement for all graduating seniors to complete a 30-hour internship. Those enrolled in the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology are exempted.
On Thursday, seniors gave presentations on their placements at the school’s gymnasium, discussing what they learned.
Isabella Russo, who had been contemplating a career in the veterinary field, interned at the Saco Veterinary Clinic.
“I learned so much,” she told the panel of people listening to her presentation. She discussed the medical procedures she had attended, warning her audience in advance about the “gnarly pictures.” She also shared some of the skills needed to work in a veterinary clinic including the abilities to communicate and document as well as be empathetic.
Although she enjoyed working in an environment where everyone, like her, is an animal lover, the job wasn’t for her, Russo said. It was difficult seeing animals that were sick and it was particularly difficult to see animals that were dying, she said.
The internship was a good experience, she said, because it helped her decide before she began college what career path she wants to follow.
Instead of becoming a veterinarian, Russo plans to pursue a career in event planning, and is particularly interested in planning weddings. She said she thinks the field would be a good fit for her as she is very detail oriented and organized.
“I’m going to do this for the rest of my life. I want to love what I do for the rest of my life,” she said.
Russo will be attending University of Southern Maine in the fall, majoring in hospitality and tourism with a minor in event planning.
Mikayla Grier’s internship was at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford, shadowing nurses and doctors and other health care professionals.
“I was everywhere in the hospital. It helped me decide what I want to focus on,” she said.
Grier, who was interested in becoming a registered nurse prior to the internship, said she now wants to become a nurse practitioner because they can give a higher level of care. She plans to start her college studies at Southern Maine Community College in the fall.
She heard about the internship requirement it seemed like it would be “a pain” to complete, Grier said. Now she considers herself lucky to have the opportunity to do an internship before college to help her decide what she wants to do.
Other internship placements included a law office, a farm, a bank and the local chamber of commerce. School Counselor Jacqueline Hayes said overall, she’s received very good feedback from the students.
“They’re great kids. They’ve all worked really hard,” she said.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].
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