Sumner Embarks On International Wire Internship

The first day of school is a big event for high school students, but what about the first day at a company with global reach? For Camden High School senior Darrell Sumner, that's exactly what he experienced on Tuesday, September 22nd. 

Sumner is the newest intern in the Camden Central School District's school-to-work internship program with International Wire, which ranks among the largest producers of wire products on the entire globe.

Operated in partnership with Mohawk Valley Community College, the internship program offers select Camden High School students the opportunity to work directly with professionals at IW's headquarters facility here in the Queen Village in fields such as business, engineering, and manufacturing. It combines unparalleled on-the-job training from a top regional employer with the opportunity to earn dual credits through Camden High School and Mohawk Valley Community College, including up to 24 college credits at no cost to the student. 

Darrell is participating as a business intern, where he will learn the ins and outs of management and operations from members of the company's management team throughout the year. Past interns have also worked in engineering and manufacturing, where they've worked to help address some challenges on the factory floor for a company that produces a massive share of wire products for incorporation into many of the products we use every day.

Camden High School business teacher Steven Klepadlo coordinates the internship program, and is proud of what it’s offered students over the last three years of senior participation. 

"The International Wire Internship is an amazing opportunity that provides job shadowing/real world training in multiple areas of Business Administration,” he said. “It helps to prepare students for entrance into a competitive work environment, and strengthens a bond between Camden High School, MVCC and the local business community. We are proud of this partnership and the hands-on skills and knowledge International Wire is able to provide to our students." 

Darrell wasted little time getting started on his new assignment. He did plenty of advance research on the company, which showed on his first day as he got a comprehensive overview of machinery and processes with a tour of the factory floor.