News Release: JAG-K Career Specialist Participates in Externship at Textron Aviation
In addition to helping students with employment, educational enrichment, credit recovery or emotional support, Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) career specialists capitalize on the summer months to expand opportunities for students.
Wichita Northwest High School career specialist Nicholas Harris devoted two weeks of the summer to an ‘externship’ at Textron Aviation in Wichita. He learned about internships and entry-level positions as well as how better to guide students who are interested in careers in aviation. Textron Aviation is the home to the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, producing business jets, general aviation and special mission aircraft as well as military trainer and defense aircraft.
“Spending five hours a day for two weeks at Textron helped me to really understand the company and what they offer prospective employees,” Harris said. “I have a lot of students who are interested in mechanics in general, and in the aviation industry specifically, so this will really equip me to assist them exploring career options.
Harris said Textron Aviation demonstrated a commitment to helping young people who are interested in the industry.
“Textron has internship opportunities for just about every aspect of its operations,” Harris said. “There is a leadership development program for college-aged students. It’s a two-year program that will allow participants to travel to a different state and possibly a different country. Those participants tend to end up in management positions. They offer a free college degree track which allows you to make money while going to school.”
With the new school year on the horizon, Harris said he is excited to share what he learned in the externship with the students Wichita Northwest High School.
JAG-K is a multi-year, in-school program for students in grades 6-12 that offers tools to successfully transition students into post-secondary school, the military, or directly into the workforce with marketable skills. Participants in the program face multiple barriers to success that their JAG-K Career Specialist helps them overcome through a nationally-accredited, evidence-based model.
The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 40 different states and territories. It is primarily funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to the State of Kansas administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include ADM, AT&T, Evergy, Goldstein Charitable Trust, John Deere, the Kansas Health Foundation, the Kansas Insurance Department, the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, Stormont Vail Health, Synchrony Financial, the Taco Bell Foundation, the City of Topeka, United Way of the Plains and Walmart.
To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org, ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas’ on Facebook, and on Twitter at @JAG_Kansas.