For the third consecutive year, we have had the opportunity to hire a paid intern from the Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School (CRLS) to learn about our work by helping end-process our collections.
Through this program the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW) coordinates with the Cambridge Office of Workforce Development, Harvard schools/departments, and Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School “…to provide training and learning opportunities for High School students…” writes Abbey McGuire, HR Coordinator in the Harvard College Library.
“Students are selected to work in departments for three afternoons a week as paid interns. Each student reports to a supervisor who is an HUCTW member. The role of the supervisor is to provide an overview of the student’s work and specific work assignments, explain how her/his individual work fits in to the mission of the department, and check in regularly with updates and feedback.”
This year, we have had the pleasure of working with Meklit Melaku, a junior at CRLS. She has helped us in many ways, from labeling folders that house our manuscript collections, to boxing and labeling bound volumes.
Meklit attended program seminars once a week, where HUCTW Organizer and Coordinator, Joie Gelband engages participants in “…discussions, case studies, games and exercises… …designed to teach students about the world of work.” Some of the sessions include topics such as customer service, resume writing, email etiquette; professional reputation, discrimination, transferable skills, and child labor.
From the printed material she worked on, she especially liked the item “Anonymous women : lost and found” by Laura Davidson, which is an artist’s book, published in 2011, consisting of a wooden box that contains images.
Anonymous women : lost & found / Laura Davidson (Typ 2070.11.3188) Photo by Meklit Melaku.
The School-to-Work (STW) program seems to be catching on among students at the high school. This year Joie shared with us some “sound bites” from the interns’ program evaluations:
These are in response to: “What will you take away from this program?”
Always be professional
Never forget the advice that my supervisor gave me about life in general
Learn to stick things out even if I don’t want to
All work has dignity
Fight for what you believe is right in the workplace
Love the fact that they appreciate my hard work
Speak up and how to act and present myself in a work environment
How to communicate more effectively
How to solve issues at the workplace
Having responsibilities and following through with them
Work that can be a bit boring can be rewarding by keeping you busy
Be on time
Save your paychecks
Meklit enjoyed her internship so much that she asked if she could continue working her usual hours through the end of the school year in June. We were fortunate to be able to offer her that.
[Thanks to Vicki Denby, Curatorial Assistant, for contributing this post.]