PARIS — Lindsey Mishoe, a senior at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, had a first-hand opportunity last semester to spend time interning with Healthy Oxford Hills’ nutrition educators Tiffany Sweatt and Kate Goldberg. Healthy Oxford Hills, a project of Stephens Memorial Hospital, offers community nutrition programs to adults and youth that promote healthy eating.

Not only did Lindsey get to observe the day-to-day activities of a nutrition professional in the current workforce, she also got a chance to learn first-hand why eating healthy is important. As Lindsey stated in a recent school essay, “My dream is to become a successful dietitian and teach people how to be aware of nutrition benefits and risks. The experience has completely changed my life and has helped me to make a final decision on my career path.”

The Community Internship Program offers a chance to see what it’s actually like working in a specific job. Made possible through the Oxford Hills Community Education Exchange, students are selected and placed in job opportunities throughout the community.

According to Maureen Howard, program director, “Gaining exposure and first-hand experience through internships can really make the difference between assuming what a potential career would be like and actually understanding it based on personal exposure through an  actual visit to the organization. Both students and employers benefit.”

The Oxford Hills Community Education Exchange is a nonprofit organization whose focus is to improve student education by increasing parent, community and business involvement in our schools.

“Many programs of the Exchange are currently making a difference to students including college campus visits, OHCHS College Fair, assistance with college applications and financial aid, financial literacy programs, school-business partnerships, mentoring and Student of the Month Program,” commented Howard. For more information about the exchange, contact Howard at 743-8914, ext. 5209.

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