The U.S. Army Garrison is sponsoring a summer hire program for students, ages 16 to 22 at Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem.
Kimberley Almueti, a human resources specialist with the U.S. Army Garrison Human Resources Office, said that it is traditional for military installations to engage in summer hiring.
In order to be considered for the program, applicants are required to meet the 16 year-old age requirement, submit a completed application, and must submit school transcripts showing satisfactory academic progress in a recognized continuing education program.
One hundred and six students were hired out of the approximate 300 applicants said Almueti. The number was limited based on government funding.
Those who were hired were chosen at random by a lottery system which provided fairness amongst the students, she added.
"Some 16-year-old students have never worked before. Had we chosen based on experience, these students probably would not have been considered. It is to give students an opportunity to work, to gain experience and hopefully learn some talent with working for the government and with the military," Almueti said.
There are two working sessions for the program, consisting of 56 students in the first session, held from June 8 through July 2, and 50 students in the second session, held from July 6 through 31.
Different military directorates at Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem were notified of the summer hire program.
Students were then assigned to various departments throughout the bases, such as the health clinic, the post gymnasium, emergency services.
One such student is Tearria Beck-Scot. A 20-year-old senior at Georgia State University, she is working in the U.S. Army Garrison Plans, Analysis, and Integration Office at Fort McPherson.
"I like it. I've met a lot of people my first week. It's a good experience, especially because some people have never worked an eight-hour job before. It is fun getting to see what goes on in a government office because I will ultimately work for the government in a government office one day," Beck-Scott said.
Beck-Scott also mentioned that the program allows bonding time with her father, retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 Floyd Scott Jr., during lunch periods.
"It's nice being able to eat lunch with my dad because I've hardly any time to spend with him."
Another student in garrison headquarters is 18 year-old Courtney Epps, a sophomore at Georgia State University.
Epps is working for the garrison administrative office as well as the School Liaison Office, and thinks that working for the government is a good learning experience that will benefit her in the years to come.
Students have been contacting Almueti in response to the program.
"I just hope that it is a wonderful success," Almueti said. "I've been getting feedback from many students who are saying that they love their job, are having fun and are learning something."
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