JVS Interns Earn Over $221,000

As part of the 2020  JVS Summer Internship Program, 58 students successfully completed the program earning over $221,000.  A total of 49 local companies employed interns, providing mentoring and opportunities for students to practice the technical skills they learned at the JVS.  

Annette McIver, JVS career services specialist, shared that finding internships for students was challenging due to COVID-19. “Some industries were just starting to re-open when the program started, while the building trades, transportation and manufacturing sectors continued working,” shared McIver.   

“Compared to last year, we only had seven fewer students complete the internship program, which shows that even a pandemic can’t stop students from gaining work experience in the field they are passionate about,” McIver said. “I am very proud of all of the students.” 

The heating and air conditioning program had 14 total interns, with students working at 13 different local companies. The demand is high for skilled trades and the Lorain County JVS is helping to fill that need. 

Zachary Donato, HVAC senior from Avon Lake, worked at Stack Heating and Cooling in Avon. “Being able to even work this summer, with COVID-19 and so many businesses shutting down, was incredible. One of the reasons I chose this career field is because I know I will never not have work to do. There is so much within this industry and everyone needs heating and cooling, so to me it was a no-brainer to pick this field.”  

Another field that didn’t slow down for JVS students was manufacturing. Emily Graven, precision machine technology senior from Amherst, worked as an application engineer at Absolute Machine Tools in Lorain. “I loved the experience. I got to learn a lot of new things and see how there are different pathways in this field.” 

Graven also found that she loves to work with robots. “Right now, automation engineering is my main focus at work. I was able to work with the robot arms, and I also trained one of the other application engineers on the robots, and that felt incredible! It is fascinating to me how much robots can do to assist with everyday things.” 

McIver thinks the biggest lesson the students learned was to be flexible and adapt to an ever-changing work environment. “Adding these skills to their technical knowledge makes these students valuable in the job market. It’s great for students to have ongoing work experiences that align with what they’re learning in their JVS program.” 

The Summer Internship Program is an opportunity available to junior students who have successfully completed their first year of career-technical training, and who have superior attendance and strong teacher recommendations. This experience extends student learning beyond the classroom and provides students with real world work experience. Students can interact with company mentors and develop a direct pathway to additional education, training, or future employment. 

The internship participants are listed by associate high school below.  

Brendon Crum, industrial electricity student worked at Great Lakes Electrical Service; Emily Graven, precision machine technology student worked at Absolute Machine Tools Inc.; Stephen Hutchinson, auto technology student worked at Tuffy Auto; Damien Jara, collision repair student worked at Riddell, Avery Porter, cosmetology student worked at UnRuly Salon and Spa; Zachary Sprinkle, industrial electricity student worked at Great Lakes Electrical Service; Alexis Vincent, cosmetology student worked at Great Clips 

John Hindman, auto technology student worked at Christian Brothers Auto Repair; Alexander Pruchnicki, culinary arts student worked at Nemo Grille; Lucas Rupert, carpentry student worked at A Carpenter’s Hand 

Zachary Donato, heating and air conditioning student worked at Stack Heating and Cooling; Christopher Jones, carpentry student worked at Mitchell Woodworking Inc. 

Brendan Burns, heating and air conditioning student worked at Ray Esser and Sons Inc.; Logan O’Neal, industrial electricity student worked at JP Electrical Services; Rebecca Porter, precision machine technology student worked at Bettcher Industries 

Sean Kane, heating and air conditioning student worked at Stewart’s TV and Appliance; Nathaniel Klamer, heating and air conditioning student worked at Gross Plumbing Inc.; Kyle Mettler, industrial electricity student worked at Jim’s Electric; Izayah Nichols, heating and air conditioning student worked at E. H. Roberts Co.; Xavier Pinto, heating and air conditioning student worked at Ray Gidich Heating and Air Conditioning Inc.; Josiah Velazquez, carpentry student worked at Star Builers 

Samuel Kleinhenz, precision machine technology student worked at Voss Industries; Logan Smith, industrial electricity student worked at Jim’s Electric  

Emme Bevan, cosmetology student worked at Great Clips; Emmalle Ellison, collision repair student worked at Acme Construction Company; Spencer Gottschling, industrial equipment mechanics student worked at C & C Sales and Service;  Trevor Jesse, commercial truck technology student worked at Terminal Ready-Mix Inc.; Phoenix Means, cosmetology student worked at Great Clips; Michael Wooley, culinary arts student worked at The AbbeWood 

Frank Janezic, industrial electricity student worked at Amherst Electric 

Alexander Ables, auto technology student worked at Liberty Ford; Joshua Bodner, precision machine technology student worked at Slade Gardner; Victoria Sprague, landscape and greenhouse management student worked at Willoway Nurseries; Travis Storrow, heating and air conditioning student worked at Ashland Comfort Control 

Micah Flatt, carpentry student worked at Duffy Custom Carpentry; Nathan Keller, heating and air conditioning student worked at Energy Control Inc.; Anthony Klesta, industrial electricity student worked at Bells Electric; Ryan Nolan, collision repair worked at Riddell; Paul Saylor, heating and air conditioning student worked at Gene’s Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning; Theresa Smith, cosmetology student worked at Mindy’s Salon 

Rileigh Bunaisky, cosmetology student worked at Mag’s Salon; Christopher Bundy, heating and air conditioning student worked at Wellington Indoor Comfort; Andrew Gage, heating and air conditioning student worked at Heritage Plumbing; Jeremy Gaines, collision repair student worked at Riddell; McKenna Grimes, culinary arts student worked at Crow’s Catering; Caden Hill, engineering design and technology student worked at Parker Hannifin Corp., Aircraft Wheel and Brake Division; Zachary Januska, heating and air conditioning student worked at Viccarone Heating and Air Conditioning; Adam Kmiecik, industrial electricity student worked at C & R Precision Electric; Mark Lengauer Jr., carpentry student worked at DRC Construction Co.; Darren Lightner, heating and air conditioning student worked at Bay Heating and Air Conditioning; Simon Rivera-Evans, precision machine technology student worked at Parker Hannifin Corp., Aircraft Wheel and Brake Division; Zachary Russell, industrial equipment mechanics student worked at Garden Village

 

John Francis, precision machine technology student worked at EMC Precision; Demi Ramos, cosmetology student worked at Great Clips; Andrew Streator, heating and air conditioning student worked at Heritage Plumbing 

Alexis Benton, cosmetology student worked at Hair and Beyond; Jessie Pritt, commercial truck technology student worked at J&D Farms Transportation; Karalynn Todten, cosmetology student worked at The Barn Salon & Spa