“I attended Job Corps’ Community Relations Council meeting last October and learned about their Work Based Learning Program,” advised Kathleen VonAchen, Administrative Services Director for the City of Imperial Beach, California.  “I heard others praise the students who were interning at their offices, and pursued having an intern help at City Hall.”

VonAchen, a native of Kansas who has worked for over 20 years in the field of public finance, had just begun working for the City of Imperial Beach in October 2012.  She learned that Job Corps’ Work Based Learning Program is designed to provide “real work” experience for students, while assisting the City.  “There is no cost to the City and our intern, Calista, has worked three days a week in our department, for the past six weeks.  I’ve observed that she has been eager to learn and is attentive to details.”

Working as City Hall was the first job experience for 18 year old Calista Luce who is enrolled in Job Corps’ Office Administration Career Technical Training program.  She is originally from Adrian, Michigan and moved to Chula Vista prior to entering Job Corps last year.  “This has been a good experience for me,” she stated, while working at her desk at City Hall.  “Everyone has been nice and helpful to me, and I’ve learned a lot.” 

Calista’s immediate supervisor at City Hall praised her for being approachable and pleasant to work with.  “Calista helped with document scanning, along with creating files and indexing material,” she stated.  “I’m sure she will be an excellent employee in the future.”

Calista plans on living in San Diego when she graduates from Job Corps this fall.  “I would like to work in an office environment similar to this,” she advised.  “I am grateful to Job Corps and the City of Imperial Beach for giving me the opportunity to become successful in the future.”