Applications for W.E. Pro$per internship program due Sept. 8

Work Ethics Pro$per is a business mentorship and internship program at Westside Community Center that introduces high school students to the world of business with the opportunity to learn about business culture, ethics, etiquette, and expectations, and then gain on-the-job experience.

One Saturday morning each month at WCC, students in 9th-12th grades participate in W.E. Pro$per mini-workshops with volunteers from the Bartlesville professional community. 

Topics include:

• Goals
• social and business etiquette
• personal finance
• public speaking
• resumés and applications
• interview skills, and
• educational opportunities.
  

At the end of the year, after studying the basics and ethics of the business world, students work as paid interns for 80 hours at a partner business or organization in the community, gaining valuable real-life work experience. This helps them take the first step in their own career and path to prosperity.

According to longtime volunteer Cindy Dronyk, “Many employers let us know how amazing our students were in the workplace. I am proud to see the students I worked with become successful contributors to Bartlesville and then give back to the community themselves. It is truly heartwarming to see them grow, become ambassadors for the program, and often they return to let the current students know how much the speakers and mock interviews contributed to their growth as a person.”

W.E. Pro$per is funded through United Way and is offered at no cost to the participants.

According to WCC Executive Director Chenin Patton, after almost two decades of service, and over 30,000 hours of internship hours, W.E. Pro$per teens have achieved a 95 percent approval rating in their performance evaluations. Most have moved on to successful higher education and careers. Many of those students have been Lowe Family Young Scholars.

“Visit Bartlesville has had many fantastic interns through the W.E. Pro$per program,” said Maria Gus, Visit Bartlesville Executive Director. “A few of those interns have even become employees. To see these students work hard and succeed beyond the program has been a true joy to experience.”

Other businesses and organizations that have hired W.E. Pro$per students include: Bartlesville Community Center, Bartlesville Public Library, Bartlesville Public Schools, Bartlesville Regional United Way, BMonthly Magazine, Boys & Girls Club of Bartlesville, Children’s Musical Foundation, City of Bartlesville, Knightsbridge Inc., Lowe Family Young Scholars Program, Inc., Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Richard Kane YMCA, The Salvation Army of Bartlesville, Tri-County Tech, and Truity Credit Union.

Thank you to all our W.E. Pro$per mentors, supporters, and business sponsors!

Volunteers Rona Shoopack and Lucretia Newton, both of Truity Credit Union, currently teach and supervise the program all year, with the help of many other volunteers.

The award-winning W.E. Pro$per program was designed by former WCC Executive Director Morris McCorvey, who is currently Programs Director at WCC.   

W.E. Pro$per is held at the Westside Community Center, one Saturday per month, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. A parent/guardian is responsible for transporting students to and from the Westside Community Center for each meeting. Students in 9th-12th grade are encouraged to apply before Sept. 8, 2022. Visit www.wccbville.org for the application, or call WCC at (918) 336-6760 for more information.