The mission of First Flight High School is to be “committed to providing an education that promotes intellectual growth, initiative and responsibility, and rigorous, reflective learning in a nurturing environment.” An integral part of that initiative is the internship program offered to junior and senior students, which (for FFHS) is overseen by faculty member Camie Romano. “The internship program, which is district wide, is important because it gives students beneficial workplace learning, where one can explore a career path they find interest in,” said Romano, “Though sometimes they find that what they thought was a potential career path is not to be one after all.”
ICO has participated in the internship program provided by Dare County Schools for the last several years. This year, the 2023/24 academic year, Skylar Wood, a junior from Colington, decided to pursue the internship with ICO Executive Director, Jenniffer Albanese, the staff and volunteers. “In fact, Skylar has enjoyed it so much that she has decided to extend the internship to a full year,” said Romano.
Skylar was interested in seeing how a business functions, and nonprofit agencies were not on her radar. Her initial interest was in pursuing the business of for-profit physical therapy. However, when ICO was suggested, she explored the option with a tour of and orientation to what services ICO provides the community, and she was hooked. “I was interested in an internship where I could learn business because understanding how a business is run, with its organizational structure, how finances work, and the work flow of its employees, is a skill that will translate to any path I pursue whether for profit or nonprofit,” said Skylar.
As an intern, Skylar enjoys working with the volunteers, staff and clients. She has been given a wide range of responsibilities and tasks from bank deposits to entering volunteer hours and other data into the computer, to attending meetings and helping at fundraisers. “I helped with the Alice Kelly Fundraiser, which was really fun and eye-opening. I was like Jenniffer’s personal assistant and was happy to do whatever was needed, like stuffing the gift bags.”
Skylar goes in almost every day, Monday through Friday. She recognizes the value the volunteers bring to the organization. “I’ve met a lot of hardworking people and learned a lot from them. I‘ve learned a lot of adult skills,” she said. “I like helping people, and the work I do at ICO really helps people in need. I hope to continue to be a part of this amazing nonprofit through till summer and maybe beyond.”
As for Jenniffer, she loves having Skylar around, as do the others who spend their time working together towards helping to provide important services to Outer Banks community members in need. “Skylar is an amazing addition to our team, I couldn’t be happier with her dedication to ICO,” said Jenniffer, “I am glad she has found an internship home here.”
