Then he went looking for businesses willing to give his students real-world experience. When Lappin met Chernick in 1996, things took off. The CEO hired Lou Maury, a former systems analyst, to start an apprenticeship program. Soon, Maury was teaching at Foshay, from mechanical components and basic software functions to Web design and systems support. Paid internships at Candle followed, growing from 15 students in 1997 to 68 this past summer.
Wages are minimal, but the kids know the real reward.
But I learn a lot more here. Interns are chosen largely by merit. Once selected, they're in until they graduate, and may stay on during college. More than a third of the current batch have done so, and now earn nearly twice their initial wage. Four have accepted full-time positions at Candle.