This past summer, students at MLEC participated in the Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP). This is a program held for five weeks during summer break, beginning in July and ending in early August. The SYIP is designed to give students early exposure to the work field, which aligns with MLEC’s objective as the school is very career oriented.
In the program, students were working in various industries with different responsibilities. For example, Kyle Perez, a junior in the Culinary strand, worked in the customer experience aspect of a business called “million dollar machine.” This is a course paid for by clients and he was tasked with working on ways to improve the course itself.
This directly ties back to his strand at MLEC as he is currently focusing on the business aspect of culinary arts, which prioritizes customer satisfaction in terms of sales and offers. During his time on the internship, he worked with a software known as notion.so to organize and plan his schedule and progress on specific projects.
“This experience introduced me into the real world of what entrepreneurship offers and showed me what it’s really like. ultimately preparing me to succeed in my life after I graduate,” he said.
While it can be seen as beneficial to gain real work experience, others, such as senior Jeremiah Jackson think it’s equally as important to “enjoy” summer break without the worries of work. Jeremiah spent his summer assisting in a dental office, which tied back to him being in the dental program at MLEC.
“I really liked the internship, it helped me get real work experience. But at the same time I kind of wish I rested more this summer. It’s only the beginning of the school year and I’m already tired,” he said.
While making summer plans it’s essential that you establish your priorities, whether it’s relaxation or productivity at work. If you’re looking to gain some experience for your college resume or make money, the SYIP may be for you, unless you are looking for more of a relaxed summer.
