MELFA, VIRGINIA – Three Eastern Shore Community College Interns participated in a closing ceremony for the 2014 Summer Internship Program the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island August 6.  Eastern Shore interns Alex Chrisman, James Haley, III and Ian Rose; joined participants from Lafayette, Penn State and Old Dominion University to complete the twelve-week employment experience.  Following the internship, two ESCC graduates accepted full-time employment with MARS. 

Melfa resident, Ian Rose, was home-schooled and completed his GED in 2013.  The electronics major plans to graduate in 2015.  He also completed a six-week internship at NASA last spring.  Rose serves as a volunteer firefighter. 

James Haley, III, lives in Atlantic and attributes much of his confidence and training to being an Eagle Scout.  He graduated from Broadwater Academy in 2011.  The 2013 ESCC graduate, received his associate’s degree in Business Administration.  He returned to complete Welding and Industrial Maintenance certificates this past May.  Haley explains, “As a native of the Eastern Shore, I understand the area and the needs of local industry.  Brian Lilliston’s classes at ESCC exposed me to information I needed to be able to meet the highest industry standards.”  James is now employed as a MARS Technician.

Alexander Chrisman, lives with his wife, Kimberly, in Nassawadox.  He completed his GED in 2002 and a HVAC career studies certificate in May 2014.  He was a bartender in Exmore, prior to starting the internship and is now working full-time as a MARS Technician.

Debbie Daniels, ESCC Experiential Learning/Job Placement Coordinator, works with local employers as well as job seekers and adult learners.  She assists adults with job preparation and placement, including guidance in the job search process, employability skills coaching, assistance with employment applications, resumes and job interviews.  Daniels explains, “Connecting students to appropriate internships, job shadowing experiences, and employment opportunities is the most satisfying part of my job.  I am so happy Alex and James, have secured full-time employment on Wallops Island.”

For more information, about internship opportunities at ESCC contact Debbie Daniels (757) 789-1792.

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Eastern Shore Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution in the Virginia Community College System serving Accomack and Northampton Counties.  Founded in 1971, the College offers transfer education programs and career/technical/occupational degree and certificate training as well as professional education and workforce development.  ESCC is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the SouthernAssociation of Colleges and Schools and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies; Janet Justis, Dean of Learning Resources, 29300 Lankford Highway, Melfa, VA  23410; 757-789-1723.