Student Interns help Caz Community

Nov. 27, 2024

With the addition of the work-based learning curriculum at Cazenovia High School, students are getting a real-life perspective of future career options. From shadowing medical professionals to marketing projects, high school students prepare to enter the work environment with fresh eyes while helping the community.

When the Greater Cazenovia Chamber of Commerce went fully remote in January 2024, it took the opportunity to rebrand and restructure. With the change, members adopted a modern marketing approach and pushed to offer more unique local events. They created a new website and launched with a new name, Caz Life. However, with its decision to dissolve a paid position, the company was disadvantaged regarding staff.

This was also an opportunity in the eyes of Board of Directors Member and school Superintendent Chris DiFulvio and Christina New, a Cazenovia High School business teacher and New York State Certified Work-Based Learning Coordinator. 

“The high school started the work-based internship class five years ago with only five students enrolled; now, 50 percent of the senior class wants to take the elective,” said New.

“Offering a Caz Life marketing and communication student internship was a perfect opportunity for both sides,” DiFulvio added.

New established 27 work-based internships with local organizations, businesses, and public entities this year. She begins interviewing students up to one year in advance and finds new internships and continuing successful ones to establish student placement for the upcoming school year.

“We have students voice their interests and curiosities, and we match them with opportunities for them to learn more,” said New.

High school senior and Caz Life intern Sally Hughes said she has a passion for sports reporting and hopes the Caz Life internship helps her advance her marketing skills so she can eventually merge them with sports. 

“I can explore my love of marketing,” said Huges. “We plan interviews, questions, record, and edit stories.”

Another Caz Life intern, Ava Vanetti, said, “Being in student government, I wondered if the Caz Life internship was a good match, but I’m also interested in environmental science.”

New knows that some internships may not lock in a career path, so students can segment the year and try other internships. 

“If a student has more than one interest, they can be placed into two or three rotations throughout the year, offering them a view into multiple career opportunities,” New said.

Some other internships in the work-based life class include those at Financial Advisors Leigh Baldwin and Co., Upstate Animal Clinic, New York State Troopers, Upstate Bone and Joint, Crouse Community Rehabilitation Center, Dougherty’s Pharmacy, Marquardt Switches, Cazenovia Police Department, Nicki Donlin Real Estate, and the school district itself.

“This work-based learning curriculum is a chance for students to get out into the community,” said Superintendent Chris DiFulvio. “At Caz Life, for example, students play an essential role in helping the greater Cazenovia area create fresh ideas, think inclusively, and offer a lively perspective on how Caz Life can progress in many ways. It is a fun and educational way for students to help their community while growing a potential career path.”