Learning on the Job

Submitted photos Students Laila Cade and Angelina Howes are shown at the Arts Center.

ELKINS – Highland Adventist School high school students have completed a very successful career shadowing internship.

Each year, the students complete career interest inventories followed by training on how to give a successful interview, writing a resume, workplace etiquette, and other essential employee skills.

Then each secondary student identifies a career of interest, and the school works to find a local business that will allow the student to shadow that career for a two-week period.

“Our 2026 internships were an amazing success,” said principal Cheryl Jacko. “Our business community was welcoming and informative to our students, several of whom have fallen in love with the career they observed.

“Our goals for this program are to help our students make informed career decisions and to connect our students with our local business community in a way that will encourage future employment. We also hope this program will help keep our students here in West Virginia to help our communities thrive and grow.”

Abigail Plohocky at Elkins Sewing Center.

2026 students were hosted by Elkins Sewing Center, the Arts Center, Seneca Designs, Judge Wilfong and Randolph County Circuit Court, Built Construction, William Iannacone Building and Remodeling, Marquise Salon, Davis Medical Center, Artists at Work, All Creatures Great and Small Veterinarian, Appalachian Animal Hospital, Appalachian Child Development Center, West Virginia Department of Highways, and Highland Adventist School classroom teachers.

“We want our internship hosts to know how much we appreciate their contribution to the education of our students,” stated Keri Plohocky, internship director. “They provided a life-changing experience for our students.”

To learn more about H.A.S. and its career readiness programming, request more information at the school website, www.highlandadventistschool.org.