Berlin and Gorham High School's School-to-Career program appreciative of local businesses

BERLIN/GORHAM -- For at least a decade, the Berlin-Gorham area's local businesses have willingly participated in both high school's School-to-Career programs.  
The School-to-Career program is an elective course that is available to high school students who want first hand exposure of future career possibilities.  This correlates to a nine or eighteen week internship at a local business, where the student apprentice experiences the physical in and outs of the trade, receiving an even greater understanding of the job. 
In turn, the program weighs heavily on local business participation and cooperation.
"The school to career program at Gorham High School has truly blossomed over the last eight years.  The businesses in the Berlin/Gorham community have been tremendous to work with and continue to give our students a superb hands-on experience," said School-to-Career Director Matthew Saladino of Gorham High School.
Some businesses have participated with only a few internships, but some seem to have students throughout the entire school year. 
Some of the most popularly interned businesses in Gorham include: Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Genesis Healthcare, Gorham Police Department, Gorham Community Learning Center, and many others.
An aspiring physical therapist and one of many who have interned at Genesis Healthcare from Gorham High School, is senior Jacob St. Hillaire.
"After observing to start out with, I eased into working with the patients and the physical therapists and really got a hands-on experience.  They gave me a strong insight on more than just the facts of the job.  I strongly recommend them to anyone interested in physical therapy," said St. Hillaire.
The program has had the same affect at Berlin High School, as an equal appreciation of the local businesses has been abundantly displayed.
“I am now one hundred percent sure that I am going to pursue physical therapy thanks to the therapists.  I have the knowledge and determination it is going to take to succeed in the field,” said Berlin High School senior and ambitious physical therapist, Katie Nelson.  
“Overall, the program benefits all high school students with different interests and abilities and is truly about finding the right placement with a positive adult role model and mentor.  The School-to-Career program would not be able to thrive without the dedication and support of the businesses and their commitment to making a difference in a student’s life,” said School-to-Career Coordinator Brynna Kelley of Berlin High School.
A hand-full of the more popularly interned businesses in Berlin include: "Berlin Daily Sun", Cross Machine Inc., Dr. Eugene M. Kruysman’s Office, Mother Goose Child Care, Saint Vincent de Paul Rehabilitation, and many others.