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Education

interview with me is the very first time
they’ve interviewed. They think they know
what they want to do for a career. I get to
help provide them the opportunity to go
and see if that’s what they really want.”
Witnessing student development and
growth is “so satisfying” for Duncan.
She tells her WBL students that one of
three things will happen during their
internship: they’ll love it; they’ll hate it; or,
after learning about something in a related
field previously unknown to them, they’ll
decide there’s something else they’d
rather do. Duncan points out the value of
learning all this before investing in college.
In fact, 99% of WBL students attend
college, said Duncan.
Sandy Creek High School Class of
2024 graduate Zavion Green calls his
WBL experience “incredible.” As a junior
considering his senior year options, he
found out about WBL while looking into
Dual Enrollment. He interviewed with and
was hired as an intern with Country Fried
Creative (CFC), a Peachtree City-based
digital marketing agency.
He initially saw WBL as a “perfect “I realized I really like to build stuff, whether that’s
opportunity to get class time off to work,”
a graphic or a logo. And I like to build things for
something he was already doing outside
people, things that make an impact.”
of the program. It turned into much more.
Each internship is different, but
Sandy Creek High School, Class of 2024 graduate Zavion Green
Green said he was “blessed and happy”
that his was a paid opportunity. Initially
joining based on his interest in film, said. Perhaps most interesting is that me with one of Country Fried Creative’s
the student was open to “anything in the student learned that film was not biggest projects: creating the logo for
marketing,” so Duncan introduced him necessarily going to be his career path. ARISS, Amateur Radio on the International
to Country Fried Creative. Now in his first year at USC Jimmy Space Station.”
“Miss Duncan really wants to connect Iovine and Andre Young Academy, Green got to see the logo he designed
you with industries where we can get Green is studying innovation, what he in space! Duncan awarded the student a
that leg-up experience when we get to calls a mixture of design and engineering, Work-Based Learning Challenge coin for
college,” he said. “human-centric design and that is what his work on the project.
Green started with CFC in the summer Country Fried Creative taught me,” Green encourages future WBL students
a few weeks before the school year he said. to be open not just to what they think they
began, noting his was a hybrid internship – Green called WBL a “really good want to do, but also to what they might be
somewhat rare in the program. He worked opportunity to dip your feet in the water” willing to try. “It will make your experience
virtually, at home, but went into the office of a career field. Green has praise for his more fulfilling,” he said.
for weekly meetings. Much of his work experience and for Joe Domaleski, owner Whether the future includes college or
focused on logo creation, some website of Country Fried Creative. immediately entering the workforce, all
building, and brand development. “Mr. Dom was an incredible mentor for students can benefit from the experience
Initially, the intern wasn’t sure what me,” Green said. “He trusted the work I offered through the Fayette County Work-
to expect of the virtual experience. was able to produce. He helped train me Based Learning Program. Businesses can
“Honestly, I grew to really love it,” Green in (Adobe) Illustrator. He even trusted likewise benefit.

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