When senior Hodan Ali started her job working at Walgreens, she felt confident in finding a balance between school and her job in order to continue working.

“I can (handle my job) because I got used to (working). At first it wasn’t as easy, but I’m not someone who gives up,” Ali said.

Career and college coordinator Kara Mueller said many internships and job openings are available for students at various places.

“There’s always the food industry, so it’s not necessarily an internship, it’s employment,” Mueller said. “There’s also the opportunity for juniors to do Genesys Works, which is a study type of program in the summer and all next school year.

Mueller said employment programs provide students the chance to develop new, useful skill sets.

“(The programs) can be broader in the sense of communication skills, time management skills, critical thinking skills and then even more narrow, specialized to that company,” Mueller said. “It lets you build on your strengths and adds skills you don’t have the opportunity to add in the classroom.”

Junior Zoë Weinmann said she was first introduced to her school store internship by her marketing teacher, Sophia Ross.

“She offered the internship to me and it seemed really interesting. I will be doing custom embroidery at the school store,” Weinmann said.

Mueller said for students curious about internships or job opportunities, personal connections and relationships are helpful in the search.

“You can use the tools online and search for internships, but one of the best ways is networking within families and friends,” Mueller said. “Just build from your own network and use your resources here at school and online as well.”

According to Mueller, these programs benefit students because they contribute to resumes.

“It’s a resume builder for going into other employment and for college applications. It’s an opportunity to connect your academics to the work world,” Mueller said. “By you working with other people, you’re learning so many new skills, you’re building that resume.”

Weinmann said her internship introduces her to new pathways going toward her future.

“I (get to) learn embroidery because I’ve been wanting to learn to do that, (and) it’s a new skill to pick up. Also, there is a little bit of marketing to it, so I feel like that will help me,” Weinmann said.

Mueller said one of the positive aspects she’s observed from students in these programs is their boost in self confidence.

“They’re able to talk to people on a professional level, make eye to eye contact (and) insecurities are moved away because they know they know things,” Mueller said.

Ali said she recommends employment for students with good control over their academics and other parts of their lives.

“I think (a job) is good if you have everything together, but if you don’t, you’re missing credits, you need to worry about your classes and you can’t handle it, then don’t do it,” Ali said.

According to Mueller, students can find more information on the bulletin board outside of room B220.