More than 300 Mobile County high school students spent part of their summer break gaining real-world career experience through STEM camps, internships, job shadowing, field trips and other educational opportunities, with more than 100 area businesses hosting student interns.
Claire Minto, supervisor of academies and work-based learning for Mobile County Public Schools, said the summer internship program helps students build confidence, expand their professional networks and discover career paths they may not have previously considered. She said some students have changed their planned college major entirely after an internship exposed them to a career they came to love.
The school system’s Career and Technical Education Department partnered with area businesses, industry groups and the Mobile Chamber to organize the workforce development initiatives. Career enrichment camps held at the district’s three career tech centers gave middle schoolers hands-on activities and exposure to a range of CTE fields, including a tour of Airbus through Flight Works Alabama and a visit to Bishop State Community College to learn about training paths in manufacturing, welding, cosmetology, automotive repair and electrical engineering.
More than 130 campers also took part in the 11th annual JROTC STEM Leadership Academy at Spring Hill College, tackling mental and physical challenges, touring industry sites and competing in a robotics competition to build a clawbot. Campers additionally learned skills related to power line repair work through a partnership with Alabama Power and Bishop State Community College.
During the 2025-26 school year, more than 525 students from the district’s 12 high schools took part in job shadowing across fields including health care, engineering, public service, skilled trades and business, made possible by more than 70 industry and community partners. School officials thanked the many businesses and professionals who opened their doors to students, saying the opportunities help bridge the gap between the classroom and the workforce.