High School Interns Get A Chance To See What QCC Offers

Once again, QCC was a community partner in the Worcester Public Schools College Community Connection Program.

The College Community Connection is an academic support program that provides mentoring and paid internship opportunities at participating organizations for Worcester students.

The program makes a difference in the students’ lives as it has been shown to improve their MCAS scores. Also, it provides them with work and learning skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

The MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) test is part of the high school graduation requirement, with separate tests in English, math and science.

The internship program started with an orientation for the students at Worcester Technical High School on June 24. The students were on-site at QCC from Monday, June 27 through Thursday, July 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Students had 3.5 hours of academics for MCAS preparation and 2.5 hours of paid internships. Closing ceremonies were Friday, July 22, at Worcester Technical High School.

Stephanie Stockwell, Academic Support Coordinator, Worcester Public Schools, said students participate from eight high schools in the Worcester region.

“For many students, this is their first opportunity for a job,” she said in a promotional video about the program. “This offers a work-based learning program, where they learn about workplace culture, the importance of things such as punctuality and attendance, ethics, communication, and accepting direction and constructive criticism.”

“I love seeing students flourish in the program,” Ms. Stockwell said. “They are really engaged in the internships and in learning.”

In the last four years, the program has helped more than 80 percent of students who participate pass their MCAS, as well as improve their relationships with mentor adults and each other.

Part of the program includes different college sites, such as QCC. Students at these internship sites get to go on a tour of the campus, receive information about financial aid and course options.

“It gives them a chance to see it (attending college) can be a part of their future,” Ms. Stockwell said.

There were seven students who interned at QCC, in the admissions welcome center, food services, academic affairs, the athletic center, and the media center.

“We had a very diverse group of students this year,” said Donna Harvey, of QCC Enrollment and Student Services, the site coordinator for QCC. “Two of the students were from the Dominican Republic, two from Iraq, one from Puerto Rico, one from Saudi Arabia, and one from Thailand.” Students were from South High School and Doherty High School.  

During their time at QCC, the students put together a PowerPoint presentation which they presented at the closing ceremonies, said Ms. Harvey. Also, one of the sites is the CCC Videographers, those students visited each site during the program and compiled a documentary about the program. This documentary was also shown at the closing ceremonies.

“The program was a great success,” Ms. Harvey said. “Many of the students stated that they are looking forward to coming to QCC after they graduate.”

Other organizations involved in the 2016 program included: UMASS Medical School, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, The Boys and Girls Club, Worcester Youth Center, Worcester Senior Center, Garden for All Ages, WCCA TV 13, Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Christopher House.