Monroe County, Indiana – High school students across the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) are getting a head start on their futures—long before graduation day. Thanks to the UpSkill apprenticeship program led by Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI), students are stepping into real workplaces and gaining hands-on experience in fields such as engineering, information technology, and business.
The UpSkill program pairs students with local employers for a two- to three-year apprenticeship. During that time, students balance their academic schedules with real-world work experience, earning a paycheck while learning valuable technical and professional skills. It’s a rare opportunity to explore career interests early while building the kind of experience that many adults only gain after college.
For many students, the program has already proven transformative.
Building a Future in Engineering
For Bloomington High School North senior Van Hnem, the opportunity to apply what she’s learning in class to real-world projects has been life-changing. Through UpSkill, she was hired as an electrical engineering intern at the Purdue Applied Research Institute (PARI), where she’s currently designing her first project using AutoCAD—a skill she developed through her engineering courses at the Hoosier Hills Career Center.
“After I graduate, I want to be an engineer,” said Hnem. “My teacher, Mr. Meyers, told me about this apprenticeship program, and I thought it would be a wonderful way to start learning more about electrical engineering if I wanted to go down that path. I thought PARI would be the perfect opportunity.”
Hnem, who hopes to attend Purdue University after high school, said the apprenticeship has helped her explore different paths within engineering.
“Before electrical engineering, I wanted to be a civil engineer. But right now, I’m pushing back all specific plans just in case this internship goes really well,” she said.
Her love for engineering started in an unexpected place—video games.
“I loved the building process. I thought it was super cool to see what I envisioned turn into something, and that’s why I wanted to be an engineer,” Hnem said, recalling her early fascination with designing structures in Minecraft.
Through the Project Lead the Way engineering pathway, she has taken multiple courses at BHSN that focus on teamwork, hands-on problem-solving, and software design. “In Intro to Engineering and Principles of Engineering, we had a lot of group collaboration and a lot of independent work, and I really enjoyed that,” she said. “We went into the workshop and actually built things using AutoCAD. It is a struggle when you first start, but the more you use it, the easier it gets.”
For Hnem, the experience has been more than just technical training—it’s been a chance to connect with other students who share her interests.
“I tell my friends about the pay, and they’re shocked about it. In addition to that, it’s been fantastic,” she said with a laugh. “Over the summer, I met a lot of other students with similar interests in the UpSkill program through the welcome orientation. We also got more opportunities to develop our skills.”
Learning Tech Skills in the Real World
For BHSN junior Zach Schmidt, the UpSkill program has opened the door to a career in information technology. As an I.T. apprentice at Tasus, Schmidt spends his days repairing computers, running network cables, and even disassembling hard drives.
“I’m currently taking a computer repair and maintenance class, which is what I’m doing at work,” Schmidt said. “I’ve also done everything from helping to run network cable to disassembling hard drives.”
Schmidt’s experience at Tasus, a multinational company owned by the Tsuchiya Group, has given him insight into working within a global business. “I’m working for a multinational corporation because Tasus is owned by the Tsuchiya Group. That’s enough merit in itself, but through the UpSkill program I’ve also earned the CompTIA A+ Certification, which is a baseline requirement for any I.T. position,” he said.
Balancing work and school hasn’t been easy, but Schmidt said the flexibility of the program helps. “I used to work more hours, but on Thursdays I have Civil Air Patrol, and since I started doing after-school clubs, I now just work two days,” he said.
Schmidt is following both the computer science and Project Lead the Way engineering pathways through BHSN and Hoosier Hills Career Center. He’s also earning dual credit, which allows him to gain college credits while still in high school.
“I saw the Introduction to Engineering class in the curriculum guide when I was in eighth grade, and I saw the opportunity for dual credit, so I signed up for it. I liked it, so I decided to do engineering all four years,” he said.
After high school, Schmidt plans to attend Daytona State College or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, pursuing a career that combines his interests in technology and aviation.
When asked what advice he would give other students considering apprenticeships, Schmidt didn’t hesitate. “It’s such a big jump going to regular work hours … but it’s experience and earning a good wage at 16 — it’s not bad,” he said.
Gaining Business Experience Close to Home
For students interested in business, the UpSkill program offers opportunities to learn from professionals in the field. Ghita Oskouie, a junior at Bloomington High School North, is currently working as a customer service specialist at German American Bank—a position that has given her insight into both professional communication and financial services.
“This internship has put me on the right path forward. It’s a huge responsibility for someone my age and I think it’s going to help me in the future,” said Oskouie. “I think I’m more prepared in my confidence. Because it’s such a responsible job, I think it also helps me with my public speaking. Knowing how to start conversations with customers and co-workers will also help me with networking.”
Oskouie is planning to graduate early and attend college next year to study business or accounting. She hopes to stay close to home and continue working while pursuing her degree.
“I want to stay local. I want to be able to continue my apprenticeship,” she said. “I definitely want to go to IU Bloomington. I already applied, so we’ll see how that goes.”
Through her experience at the bank, Oskouie said she has gained a new appreciation for professionalism and the importance of community engagement. The apprenticeship, she noted, has helped her discover that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom—it happens through real responsibility and interaction.
Preparing Students for What Comes Next
The UpSkill program continues to grow across Monroe County, offering more high school students opportunities to connect their education to real careers. The model gives employers a chance to nurture young talent while students gain exposure to industries that might shape their futures.
Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development, students like Van Hnem, Zach Schmidt, and Ghita Oskouie are discovering what it means to turn classroom lessons into real-life impact.
MCCSC encourages all students to explore work-based learning programs, apprenticeships, and dual credit opportunities to help them prepare for college or a career.
High school students can contact their school counseling office for more information about the UpSkill program or other learning pathways.
By helping students build professional experience early, programs like UpSkill are giving the next generation a head start—and showing that the future of work can start right in high school.
