State program provides Licking Heights students with on-the-job technology training

Licking Heights Local Schools is paving the way for the next generation of tech-savvy professionals with the introduction of the High School Tech Internship program. Thanks to an investment from the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, 10 high school students will have the opportunity to gain real-life experience and on-the-job technology training.

The program, which reimburses employers in Ohio that host high school interns in technology-focused positions, aims to provide businesses with the tech talent they need while giving students valuable work experience at an early age. The interns will work closely with Licking Heights’ district technology team, learning essential skills such as data management, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure.

Among the inaugural class of interns are students like Emily McCord and Zoe Kubinsky, who aspire to pursue careers in cybersecurity. McCord, a senior, plans to study computer science and engineering at Ohio State University to become a cloud security analyst. During her internship, she will assist in transitioning the district to a cloud database.

On the other hand, junior Himanshu Mandal has his sights set on working with central Ohio companies like Intel in chip research and manufacturing. Through the internship, Mandal hopes to gain the necessary experience to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer at Intel after college.

With students like McCord, Kubinsky, and Mandal leading the way, the future of technology in central Ohio looks brighter than ever. The High School Tech Internship program is not only shaping the next generation of tech professionals but also bridging the gap between education and industry needs.