Ava Clem is seizing an opportunity to go to college and work part-time in the Dow U.S. Apprenticeship Program.
“Mrs. Raisor sent an email encouraging seniors to apply. I jumped on it because I thought it was a great opportunity,” Clem said.
The Dow U.S. Apprenticeship Program is two to three years long and is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. It is a commitment to provide on-the-job training integrated with an applied technology process degree from JCTC. Clem will receive significant hands-on experience at the Carrollton plant and be exposed to critical thinking skills she will use in potential future employment opportunities.
Clem had to go through interviews and pass an academic review before she was accepted into the program. She is the only 2023 Carroll County graduate accepted this year.
“I was so nervous,” she said of the interview, noting she was asked a lot of questions about how she would react to certain situations. About two or three weeks after the interviews, she received a call from Joey Martin, the U.S. Apprentice Leader for Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia.
“I’m not one to show my excitement so I bottled it all up and was professional and said thank you for the opportunity” when Joey called,” Clem said. But, a couple of days later the excitement came out, she said.
Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes offered his congratulations to Ava on this accomplishment and opportunity. “She will be an example of what CCHS graduates can accomplish for our community,” he said.
Her initial plan after high school was to become a life coach, but she decided to take a step back from that pursuit when the apprenticeship was offered. “Dow was a really great opportunity,” Clem said. “I always strive for success, work hard now and it will pay off later.”
She will begin working in July as a process operator technician and will start as a freshman at JCTC’s Carrollton campus in the fall.
“It’s a lot of pressure on me, but I’m excited,” Clem added. “I’m ready to prove Carroll County’s worth. I hope I open opportunities for more to come.”