YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea -- It feels great to be free from loads of homework and school projects, but it is not a good idea to spend the entire summer resting from work. As a good alternative, the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) offered a rewarding employment opportunity for students on summer vacation.
The annual Summer Hire Program provided job opportunities for both high school and college students throughout U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan.
Justin Choi, a sophomore from Virginia Institute of Technology was hired for work in the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) office at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan. He explained that his experience with the summer hire program proved to be a great way to spend the summer.
"I could get other jobs if I wanted the money, but I registered for the Summer Hire Program because I wanted the experience," Choi said. "I'm also happy that I got a chance to work with some nice staff members."
For Choi, his job during the Summer Hire Program was an opportunity to utilize the skills he had developed prior to working there. Thus, it served as a way to retain his skills over the summer while practicing them in a real-life setting.
"It has been five weeks since I started working here, and I have experienced a lot already because I don't just sit around and shred papers," Choi said. "I'm working on a real project where I'm making a two to three minute commercial about ACAP, and I'm familiar with making films because I used to film videos with friends in school."
Drew Brandt, supervisor of Choi, emphasized the importance of the program, claiming that experience was vital to surviving in the job market.
"We have young ladies and gentlemen who need experience," Brandt said. "The training they receive here will be very valuable in today's competitive market place."
Up to 70 students were placed in different offices, and were permitted to work for one out of the three sessions. The college students' session lasted from May 21 to Sept. 21, while the first session for high school students started from June 18 to July 13 and the second session went from July 16 to Aug. 10.
Applications were accepted from eligible U.S. Citizen family members of Department of Defense sponsors only, including Active Duty Military, DoD Federal Civilians, Non-appropriated Fund (Morale Welfare and Recreation, Dragon Hill Lodge, Army and Air Force Exchange Services) Civilians, and other U.S. Federal Government Agencies.
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