While many students were sleeping in on the recent teacher planning day, 21 Nease Stellar Academy of Engineering and Academy of Hospitality & Tourism students spent their morning taking part in mini-internships with local businesses, learning about their targeted industry in the real world.
Engineering students who visited Stellar headquarters had the chance to hear from engineers in 10 different engineering sectors, including civil, structural, process, refrigeration, mechanical, electrical, and architecture, all under one roof. Students also had the chance to go on a virtual 3D tour of a Stellar building project, and were even treated to lunch before they left for the day.
At Quick Tie Products, located near the Jacksonville Airport, students met with the Vice President of Engineering, Brett Dexter, and learned about the research and development process for the structural components they produce, followed by a tour their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Students who visited the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast met with engineers who work on the F-5, T-6 Texan, T-44 Pegasus, and F-18 aircraft at NAS Jax. Students had the chance to get on the production floor with the aircraft and learn how engineers develop repairs and work with artisans to solve problems on the aircraft. Two students even got an impromptu tour of the materials lab on the base.
Nease also had a Hospitality Academy business partner offer an opportunity with Sawgrass Country Club. Hospitality students worked with the Director of Human Resources to learn about all the departments that work together to make the Sawgrass Country Club run. The students had a tour of the property and spent time in the Human Resources, Fitness, Membership, and Accounting departments, for an up-close look at the vast diversity in jobs in the hospitality industry.
Nease would like to thank Stellar Academy of Engineering Business Partners Briggs Kirby, Alexis Alexandris, and Ryan Dexter for organizing these events for our Engineering students, and to C.W. Cook, an Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Business Partner, for organizing our Hospitality internship. We are hoping to add Communications Academy internships to our next round of opportunities!
