High School Students Learn Business Skills On-the-Job
What's it really like in the business world?
What sort of skills do I need?
What's the right format for e-mail?
How do you organize work assignments?
Area high school seniors participating in Norco's Cooperative Office Education (C.O.E) program are discovering the answers to these and other questions about the world of work - while earning money and rounding out their resumes. According to Motiva's Paula Petit, who coordinates the C.O.E. program at Norco, Destrehan, Hahnville, East St. John and West St. John High School students have the opportunity to learn about a career in business through on-the-job experience with assignments at Motiva or Shell on the Norco site. Students attend classes at their respective high schools during morning hours and are assigned to participating Norco departments in the afternoon. The students, who receive an academic evaluation, earn an hourly wage and are required to follow some of the same policies and procedure as other Motiva employees.
"The Cooperative Office Education program is designed to prepare high school seniors for business careers specializing in business/office operations, " Petit explained. "Emphasizing computer, secreatrial, clearical and business skills, the program requires classroom training as well as on-the-job experience. We view the program as a partnership between the school, the student and Motiva or Shell. It also introduces the students to business concepts such as safety, code of conduct, work ethics, handling confidential information, dress codes, equal opportuity, and working with diverse groups of people.
Each applicant participates in an on-site interview at Norco rior to acceptance in the program. An average of three students apply for each position open every year.
"C.O.E. is a great learning experience with the potential for full time summer extension," added Petit, noting serveral former C.O.E. students are not fulltime Norco employees.
External Affairs Assistant Melissa Robert, a Destrehan graduate and former C.O.E. student, worked as a Motiva contractor for five years after high school and has been a Motiva employee for the past seven years. "The C.O.E. program was very beneficial to me in regards of a career," Robert emphasized. "I had a choice between extra-curricular and after-school activities or get a head-start in a career while making a little extra money. I believe I made the right choice. The C.O.E. program gave me a chance not only to get into the working world early, but also to learn new things along with valuable lessons in responsibility, working with others and work ethic."
Current C.O.E. Destrehan student Meredith Core, assigned to Human Resources, applied for the program for the chance to experience the business field expecially for a large company.
"I have learned that the business world is full of nice people and hard work," she commented. "You must always stay on top of your work load, meet deadlines, be dependable and make sure to get along with your co-workers." For Core, the experience and responsibility have also helped her make the decision not to work while attending the University of New Orleans where she will major in Psychology. "I'm planning to focus all of my attention on college and my studies," she added.
"Ihave learned that the business world is no joke; if you really want to do something with your life you have every chance to do so," said West St. John C.O.E. student Rilynn Bazile, assigned to Facility Services, she sees the program as a way to expand her horizons. "As long as you apply yourself, there is no one to stop you but yourself." 'If you can dream it than you can achieve it.'"
With a Chemistry degree ahead of her, Bazile has also learned that balancing schoolwork and a job can be demanding. "I would love to continue working, but if i see that I cannot handle going to school full time and working part time, than we all know what I will have to do. School comes first, no matter what."
The 2006-2007 C.O.E. students at Norco includ Destrehan High School students: Kelie Brady, Kielah Brown, Meredith Core, Tiffany Jefferson, JoReal Lee, Garielle McWilliams Ireante Richardson and Britany Tarto. Hahnville High School students particpating in the program are Keith Hill and Tori Oubre. East St. John High School C.O.E. particpants are Desney Dumes, DeJonique Garrison and Nathan Jseph. West St. John High School students are Rashana Dumas and Rilynn Bazile.
Norco has particpated in the St. Charles Parish and St. John Parish Cooperative Office Education program for mroe than 30 years.
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