Approximately 20 people, including local business owners and representatives of county-based organizations, attended a meeting Monday evening to discuss implementation of an internship program for Mathews High School students.

The goal of the program is to provide students with real-world job experiences as they explore possible future careers, according to Katelyn Dodge, director of counseling at MHS. At the same time, it will offer the employer the opportunity to bring new ideas and energy into the workplace, as well as potentially building a pipeline for future full-time employees.

“We’re hoping this program will benefit everybody,” Dodge said, “enhancing the school-community connection.”

Dodge said she intends to implement this program beginning in the upcoming spring semester, with internship opportunities advertised to students on Dec. 3, 2018 and the students beginning their internships by the end of January.

“We’re all in this for...