Being a teenager means balancing school, friends, family, and, for some, jobs. Luckily, GRC offers a spectacular co-op program where seniors can attend part of the school day and then leave to pursue their interests through employment. 

Some students may adhere to jobs relating to their pathway, such as working at a nursing home for the healthcare pathway or interning with a mechanic for the automotive side of things. Other students go “out of the box” and choose otherwise unconventional co-ops.

Senior Logan Wilburn is one of these students that has taken this opportunity and ran with it. Wilburn works at the Clark County Public Schools bus garage where she is the only GRC student, chosen among many, working behind the scenes.

“[the CCPS bus garage] does a program every year where they get a junior who’s going to be a senior and get them to be a student bus monitor,” Wilburn said. “They told me I was going to be on a bus watching kids, making sure they don’t do anything they aren’t supposed to.”

Not only does her work affect the kids and provide a safe transportation environment for them, it has also influenced Wilburn in her personal life, helping her grow and develop boundaries. 

“It’s definitely helped me say no a lot more because with the kids, we ask, we say, we tell; and if they don’t listen the first time, they get written up,” Wilburn said. “Even though it may seem mean, they know the rules.” 

Other co-op students have started pursuing full-blown careers in their allotted time. Senior Gavin Haynes works for the East Clark County Water District.

“I wanted to make sure to pursue a career before I do other opportunities,” Haynes said. “I wanted to feel a sense of security in what I do.” 

You may wonder how a current high school student already has a state-funded career. To achieve this, Haynes took all the opportunities available to him, including the apprenticeship program that led him to this specific job.

“I was offered the job through an organization called Kentucky Career Center,” Haynes said. “It was this apprenticeship where they pay me from the state to work and learn new skills until I get hired in a trade job, which is the job I have now.” 

Last but definitely not least is Madalynn Berryman, an aspiring teacher who is employed at the Cardinals Nest here in Winchester. The Cardinals Nest specializes in childcare for employees of the Clark County Public School district.

“This job has helped me grow so much as a person by showing me how much I enjoy working with children, and it has helped me find myself as a person, which also helped me decide my career path in becoming a teacher,” Berryman said.

Whether it’s jumping headfirst into a lifelong career or simply a stepping stone to future plans, a co-op job can change the course of a student’s life and grow them in ways they could never imagine.

Gavin Haynes took a moment to reflect on how his co-op experience has benefited him. “My job has helped me fight through hardships and learn to toughen up, get out there, and endure it all,” Haynes said.