Yousif Ahmed was a sophomore at Belmont High School when he became a paid intern working for the Dayton Public Schools Office of Information Technology.

That internship led to a part-time job, and then to a full-time position after he graduated in 2018.

Now, Ahmed supervises current interns and assists with IT projects while pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in administrative security at Sinclair Community College. 

His full-time job was made possible through the Dayton Public Schools’ Pathway to a Position Program, which originated in 2008. The program allows current students who are interested in IT to have a paid, part-time internship. Those jobs may then lead to full-time employment. 

Though Ahmed is the only former student with full-time employment, many others continue to work part-time jobs while attending college. 

“This program is really great because it gives you structure, it makes you more responsible and it teaches you to be a professional,” said Michael R. Matthews, a part-time employee in the program. “It also sharpens your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as your communication and technology skills.”

Matthews, a 2016 David H. Ponitz Career Technology Center graduate, has been involved in the Pathway to a Position program longer than any other current employee. As part of the Applications Management Team, he investigates and manages any technical problems DPS employees have. Since graduating, he continues to work part-time while pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science at Wright State University. 

Both Ahmed and Matthews agree a strong interest in technology is important for students who would like to take part in the program. But technical skills do not have to be top-notch, because others in the program are happy to teach and guide interns as needed, they said.

“If you try hard, you will succeed in this program,” Ahmed said. “I would encourage current students to participate. You will learn a lot.” 

LaRae Sweetman, a DPS contractor who oversees the Office of Information Technology, developed the idea for the Pathway to a Position Program in 2008. But it was not until 2016 that the program really became what it is today, she said.

That year, the district rolled out Chromebooks to every school. Because the Chromebooks needed frequent fixes, interns were assigned to repair them. The program could now have an intern based at each high school, which meant as long as the students could get to school, they could also get to their paid internship. 

In the summer, those interns can stay on to assist with summer projects. After graduation, if that student is attending college they can continue to work part-time. If a full-time position opens up, and the student has the skills required for it, it is possible they will be offered the job.

Interns are selected based on recommendations, and spots are limited. Interested students can speak to their building’s Technology Integration Coordinator for more information.