High school students in Renee Clock’s career skills and internship course have been learning transferable workplace skills within the Town of Islip’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. Mary Pat Klueber, who is the executive assistant to Commissioner Tom Owens, meets with Clock and the students several times a week to assist the high schoolers in learning skills needed to succeed in the workplace after high school.

Taking charge of the department’s warehouse, the Islip students organized, categorized and counted equipment used for the town’s youth after-school and summer programs. They are now in the process of creating a working inventory system for these items.

“The students have been applying decision-making, critical thinking, organizational and mathematical skills during this internship,” said Clock. “We are appreciative to the town for providing this real-life work experience for our students. Their participation in the education and work experience of our students is a perfect example of a school-to-business partnership. Ms. Klueber has been paramount in creating this workplace environment for our students.”

The students also intern within the town’s offices at Brookwood Hall in East Islip, which houses the Islip Art Museum and Islip Arts Council, and assist with special assignments.

“Ms. Klueber and I vary the work experiences for the students to give them exposure to the numerous job skills that are required to perform the many jobs within this department,” said Clock.