July Internship Career Intensive Students are out in the Field!
Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation has been running a Summer Internship program with a grant from the Vermont Department of Labor that includes a career education “Bootcamp” for participants covering topics like professionalism, resume writing, and interview skills. The Bootcamps are being conducted by Christy Betit, BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program Coordinator, who provides career education trainings and experiences throughout Windham County.
The July Bootcamp focused on adult learners ready to upskill after college or to make a career change. Participants who completed the Bootcamp and wanted to pursue an internship or job shadow experience worked with Christy Betit and Casey Haynes, BDCC’s Talent Specialist, who works with newcomers to the region, college interns, and helps employers with recruitment.
During class, Dan Marine, who has a background in food manufacturing and retail, focused on identifying his inherent strengths and abilities. He realized that he needed a job that was challenging and offered a wide variety of hands-on tasks to complete throughout the work day. To that end, the BDCC team connected him with their very own Facilities Manager, Daveq Anderson, who reports that Dan has been a great addition to the team thus far!
Mazie Starratt, recently completed a degree in creative writing and literature at Wheaton College and has an extensive background in fine and performing arts. She was placed in an internship with Lissa Weinmann who co-owns and operates 118 Elliot, an art, education, and performance gallery in downtown Brattleboro. Mazie reports that things are going well. “We had a gallery opening/panel the other night that was very successful, and I even got to help install some of the exhibit pieces (an experience that definitely wasn’t on my resume before!). I’m mainly doing writing and audio editing and it’s been a lot of fun. I’m hugely thankful to everyone at BDCC for connecting me to this opportunity,” she said.
BDCC’s Summer Internship program has also run a separate track focused on high school students. Read more about the high school “Bootcamp” here.
Participants will continue to be placed in job shadow and internship workplace experiences through September. If you are an employer interested in hosting a summer intern, please contact Casey Haynes at chaynes@brattleborodevelopment.com.
The Southern Vermont Workforce Center of Excellence
The Southern Vermont Workforce Center of Excellence (WFCoE) is an employer-driven system of Workforce and Education partners aligned behind strategies developed through the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy developed by SeVEDS. It is staffed and the strategies implemented by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC). The central workforce goals are to increase the size and quality of the workforce, raise median household income, and increase the 25-44 age cohort. The vision for the Workforce Center of Excellence is to ensure every person in the region can access the education, training and support needed to secure meaningful work, career and wage growth, and to identify and fulfill the regional workforce needs of our regional employers to ensure no good job goes unfilled. For more information please visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/workforce/
