Murrieta Mesa, Chamber of Commerce Define Goals For Continued Partnership

They are taking notes and envision putting what they have learned into a book that will be shared on the county, state and federal levels.

That is because when the relocated its office to the campus last summer with the goal of preparing students for the workforce by connecting them with local companies, it was a very unique concept.

"We are working as we go because it has never been done before," said Murrieta Mesa High School Principal Mary Walters.

But as year one comes to a close, Walters and Chamber of Commerce President Rex Oliver are confident in the results and said they have clear goals going into next school year.

The school has five pathways for junior and seniors: liberal studies/education, engineering, medical, business/culinary and visual and performing arts. With the help of the Chamber of Commerce, the school sent two interns to work with Murrieta-based Ambassador Solar this year. But it was competitive; five students applied for the internship--two were selected. The interns worked two to four hours a week, after school, riding their bikes from the high school to the company's office in Historic Downtown Murrieta.

The school also has partnerships with Hewlett-Packard and Inland Valley Symphony. John Wang, the owner of Comfort Inn in Murrieta, stepped up this year and helped students in the school's Chinese class get training from authentic dancers when preparing for their Chinese New Year celebration.

Walters said she hopes to expand the mentorships and internships next year to include even more of the business community. They are in the process of securing four-year internships with Exotic Electro-Optics, a Murrieta-based aerospace manufacturer.

The school will also launch an 8-week training and certification program for students through the Southwest Community Development Organization. Students will develop soft skills such as how to answer the telephone in a business manner and other basic workforce etiquette, Walters said, and develop resumes and portfolios. The trainings will be free and held after school.

Students can then provide the certificates when applying for prospective internships or jobs. Walters said Murrieta Mesa students will serve as the "beta test students" for the program, which she said the organization eventually hopes to offer students throughout the southwest Riverside County area.

"We want the business community to know that these students have gone through this," Oliver said.

They are also developing a guest speaker program that will be implemented next year. Teachers can alert the Chamber of Commerce as to when a guest speaker from the business community would coincide with their curriculum.

Oliver said he has had numerous offers from members of the business community who are interested in participating. The school and chamber are working to create a questionnaire survey following the visits so students and teachers can rate the usefulness of the lectures.

"We have done a lot of work this year putting our policies in place...I am really excited that my staff is utilizing the chamber," Walters said.

Oliver said he would not restrict the guest speaker program to Murrieta Mesa.

"If Vista and Murrieta Valley need it, they can use the speakers, too," he said.

Districts outside of Murrieta are expressing curiosity in the school/chamber partnership, Oliver added.

"It seems like the word is getting out there as to what we are doing," Oliver said. "I got a call from an assistant superintendent of the San Bernardino district."

Following the progress update to the Murrieta Valley Unified School District Governing Board last week, board members showed their approval.

"What really charms me is that this real experience is so valuable," said board member Ken Dickson. "This sort of program gives them a huge leg up."

But Dickson wanted to be sure the benefits will reach all students, even those who can fall through the cracks.

Oliver said they are working to ensure that all students find their "element," their passion.