H

ow many of us got our start in the work world by shadowing a parent or mentor on the job?

Most likely, that’s how many of us got our first taste of real work.

That important first exposure to work goes a long way toward setting young people up for what life is going to be like after high school or college.

We applaud the Summer Work Enrichment Program, sponsored by the Warren County Board of Supervisors and led by District 3 Supervisor Charles Selmon.

About 30 Vicksburg area young people — high school and college-aged — are at work in a variety of county positions this summer, gaining that much-needed work experience.

And while learning the work routine, they are earning some extra spending money at the same time. The interns are being paid $7.80 per hour for a 30-hour work week.

The county’s board of supervisors allocated $40,000 to fund the program.

Nathaniel Smart, a student at Mississippi State University, said he has learned patience, organizational skills and time management this summer while working in the county district attorney’s office.

Not only does the program help our young people, John Elfer, Warren County Emergency Management director, said the students are helpful in working on projects that may fall by the wayside for full-time staffers.

The exposure to work in county offices also helps students learn the workings of county government.

Summer internships like the county’s Summer Work Enrichment Program can also help young people narrow down their choice of future careers.

In addition to learning how to spend money, these students are learning responsibility, respect and the basics of professionalism.

Those of us who are tasked with hiring employees know how increasingly difficult it seems to have become to hire work-ready, competent workers.

Our Warren County leaders are giving these young people an important head start on their future. We think that’s money well spent.