Students picked for job program

Aaron N. Cypress knew he was interested in some type of engineering work.

But, when he got to see workers at Cherry Point's Fleet Readiness Center East use a machine to create their own aircraft part, he knew he found want he wanted to do.

Cypress, Justin Jones and Alex Callaway, juniors at Havelock High School, have been accepted into the Student Career Experience Program.

"I always wanted to do something in engineering, and this is an opportunity for it," Cypress said.

FRC East, area high school and area community colleges participate in the program. The intent is to give area high school students exposure and an opportunity for employment at the aircraft repair depot and a chance to earn college credit, while providing FRC East with trained workers.

"It gives students an opportunity to work aboard the base and earn a degree," said Rosalyn Dunn, who heads the program at Havelock High.

The first step in the program was a tour of FRC East.

"They had this machine that would cut metal in water and make anything you want," Cypress said.

The students will attend an initial eight-week course. Afterward, if they decide the program is right for them, they can continue. If the decide against the program, they'll continue their regular classes for their senior year at the high school.

Each was given an opportunity to select a preferred area of work. For Jones, he is looking to become an aircraft electrician.

"I think it will be neat," he said.

Callaway, who plans to work in sheet metal, said his father encouraged him to give the program a try.

"They told us they would hire us full time," he said. "That's pretty cool. It's a good job."

Cypress said he didn't realize workers at FRC East did so much.

"I didn't think it was that in depth," he said. "I didn't know anything about it."

Now that he knows, he would recommend the program to anyone.

"I would encourage other people to try to do it," he said. "If it's something that you want to do, go for it. It's too good an opportunity to pass it up."