LEARNING A VOCATION

Elizabeth Bedell, left, and Danielle Hill both work at the Southeast Missourian in the COE program.

High school juniors and seniors have a unique opportunity to combine traditional and vocational educational experiences with the Cooperative Office Education program offered by the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational Technical School.

The program, which is coordinated by Barbara Lohr, allows students to attend classes for a half-day and then work a half-day. The students are paid for their work on the job, but they also get school credit, said Lohr.

"The work is considered an extension of their school day," she said. "They are graded for the classes they attend and their supervisor on the job also gives them a grade.

"We try to limit them to between 20 and 25 hours because if they go to school a half day, we feel that that's really all they can work and keep up their school grades. We still feel school is their number one priority."

The program is limited to office education students that have attended special classes to gain skills including computer training, telephone techniques, filing, business machines and record keeping. They are then assisted in obtaining jobs in areas like telemarketing, cashier work, data entry and accounting.

The program is restricted to high school students; however, if a student starts work in the program and later enters college, some employers allow them to continue working part-time. Others are hired full-time after graduation.

COE worker Amy Schilling, is hopeful she will continue her job after graduation. Schilling, a Cape Girardeau Central High School senior, currently works in the Southeast Missourian accounting department. She hopes to continue working next fall after she enrolls at Southeast Missouri State University to study accounting.

Schilling said the COE program has made her a better student and employee. "Last year I didn't have vo-tech classes and my grades were very poor and I couldn't hold down a job," she said. "Now my grades are very high and I'm holding down two jobs."

Lohr said Schilling recently was chosen the Tools for Tomorrow school winner and has advanced to state level competition. The awards are given to students who are acquiring and using vocational skills to "bridge the gap between what students are learning in class to show it does give them the necessary skills for a job tomorrow."

"Several teachers recommended students and she was chosen as school winner," she said. "I think her work ethic made her stand out. She's diligent, conscientious and really wants to learn."

Schilling said she credits her award and academic turn-around to the guidance provided by Lohr. "She keeps you on track of things and makes sure you're thinking clearly," she said.

Lohr, who has worked with the COE program 28 years, said the purpose of the COE program hasn't really changed, although the curriculum has.

None of her students have ever quit a job worked through the program, although some have made changed their career paths as a result of their experiences.

"I had a student who worked as a ward clerk for a hospital, and when she finished job she decided she didn't want to be a secretary but she did want to be a nurse," she said. "The job at least gave her a wider horizon and she was able to choose something she liked better, and that's fine."