This past summer, six students from two of PEF’s College Access Program (CAP) schools, Olney High School and Kensington Creative And Performing Arts, had the unique opportunity to participate in Merck’s Week on the Job program, where students are paid for their participation in a mentorship and skill-building experience
Over the course of the four days “on the job”, CAP students had the unique opportunity to interview and spend time learning from Merck staff with backgrounds in clinical research, pharmacy, marketing, and project management. Students had exposure to content areas including manufacturing, quality assurance, international policy and regulations, IT, and DEI initiatives.
The students remarked at how surprised they were to learn how many different types of career paths converged at Merck, and also how inspiring it was to see their own backgrounds reflected back to them from the Merck employees. At the conclusion of the week, and with the guidance of their Project Management Mentors, the students presented their final projects to a room of their peers and Merck employees.
Thank you to PEF Board Member and Director, Global Project and Alliance Management at Merck, Alquon Hodges, who was the catalyst for bringing our CAP students in to embark on this career connected learning opportunity. We are so grateful for Merck’s investment in our students, both a financial investment (including transportation, breakfast and lunch, and student stipend) and an investment of their time and resources. Appreciation also goes to Merck employees Bhavit Vora, Ifty Rahman, Bri Guillory, Dana Cunningham, and Terrell Johnson for creating this incredible career connected learning experience for the students.
