Date: Fri 15-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

business-Charter-intern-Mooney

Full Text:

Internships: A Work Alternative For Teens

BY ANDREA ZIMMERMANN

Internships can provide the unexpected, such as a glimpse into a field far

removed from a student's current path. That is what Kathleen Mooney found out

when she was chosen for an internship at Charter Communications, Inc, this

summer.

"I hadn't really seen the business aspect of life, and this has given me a

view into that. It's interesting," said Katie, who will be a senior at Newtown

High School. For the past two months she has worked in Charter's marketing

department copying, faxing, creating spreadsheets from data, notifying contest

winners, and helping with promotional events at country fairs.

Most of Katie's activities have focused on the arts. She is a member of the

Drama Club, Newtown High School Singers, Concert Choir, Town Players, Color

Guard, and St Rose Youth Group. Outstanding in her academic endeavors, she was

elected to the National Honor Society.

She learned about the paid internship from Tom Swetts, who is liaison between

students and businesses. Using a computer database, he matches students with

apprenticeships, and does the initial screening. Mr Swetts also designs sets

for Newtown High School productions, and it was during the school's production

of Fiddler On The Roof that Katie first found out about the job at Charter.

She went for the interview and landed the position.

"I'm fairly comfortable working with older people because I have siblings in

their 30s. So it's not an excruciating experience like it might be for some

teens," said Katie, 17, daughter of James and Adele Mooney. "I love everybody

here; they're so friendly. I've had a lot of fun."

The student-to-career program at Charter was established by personnel

supervisor Sheila Huerta, who said it is a win-win situation. "The students

get to know a business environment and we better our position within the

company because we have eager students like Kathleen Mooney assist us with our

needs," she said. "We pay our students because we feel that everyone [should

have] compensation for their work. We take them under our wings and help them

along with their duties. We career path them. Hopefully it develops into a

permanent position down the road."

The internship program is offered year-round and Charter works with students

to accommodate their school and outside activities. Right now there are two

other local students working at the Newtown business: Wiley Norvell in the

accounting department, and Daniel Storms in drafting. Katie is the second

intern placed in the marketing department.

"Katie has been a tremendous help with the creative process, administration of

marketing programs, fulfillment of programs, and any community involvement or

outreach," said Peter Cirelli, regional marketing manager. He views

internships as an opportunity to give teenagers some exposure to the

telecommunications industry while getting assistance for the department.

"It's been a really great experience. You learn a lot of what goes on in the

background of a big business," agreed Katie. "And it's also a way out of doing

the Grand Union thing - standing behind a register 20 hours a day. I'm glad I

didn't have to do that."