Oxford County high school students interning to explore career paths [Video]

PARIS — In a push to retain more people locally and help students better understand what career they want to seek in post-secondary settings, Maine schools have started extended learning opportunity programs.

Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris and Sacopee Valley High School in Hiram, both in Oxford County, are two of the 26 schools awarded two-year grants from the state to start extended learning opportunity programs. The state awarded grants totaling more than $5.6 million to those 26 schools in 2022.

The program has taken off at Oxford Hills, where Vincent Kloskowski, executive director of college, career and extended learning opportunities, has witnessed students better understand what careers they want to pursue after graduation. “It is expanding the walls of the classroom into the community,” he said.

The internships are available to junior and senior students who have an idea of what they want to study or pursue …