In Rockbridge County High School, there is a new course option that allows students to gain real world work experience for a school credit. This new program is the Internship program.  This program allows students within a career technical field to get internship credits for their field.  Students are able to gain one or two internship credits based on the amount of hours they work. A student can earn one credit with 280 hours of work and two credits with 560 hours of work. 

This program is open to any working student, although some jobs have age restrictions that only allow certain students to work. Students can also participate in a “job shadow,” this is when a student follows a certain professional throughout the workplace. “The goal of this program is to help students figure out what they would like to do after highschool,” said Ms. Sherman. 

This year with new guidelines from the VDOE (Virginia Department of Education), seniors are allowed to count their internship as a credit. Several students took advantage of this opportunity. One individual currently enrolled in the program is Senior Tucker Hopkins. 

Aside from the internship, Hopkins has another job in landscaping. 

“I mow grass and do mulching jobs,” said Hopkins.

Hopkins has a passion for landscaping. 

“I take pride in [landscaping] and it is what I’m good at,” said Hopkins.

Hopkins works with the Rockbridge County Schools maintenance team. He travels through the county schools mowing, weed whacking, and landscaping. 

“[My favorite part is] when you get done with a big field and see the pretty stripes, and it gives you a sense of accomplishment,” said Hopkins. 

Hopkins is a strong example of what this program hopes to achieve. 

“The goal of this program is to help students figure out what they would like to do after highschool” said Ms. Sherman. 

After high school, Hopkins hopes to continue his work with landscaping.

“I hope to either buy my bosses business or start my own,” said Hopkins.