Alex Chittick works construction, attends class

Claire Hay

Reporter

Posted Oct. 3, 2024

Before and after school, senior Alexander Chittick works as a paid intern for Pence Construction, the construction company building the new CTE Center.

Last spring, Pence came to Chittick’s construction 2 class and gave the opportunity to intern to any student interested. Students could take a survey and choose what they wanted to do, including field work, designs, or touch ups. 

Chittick got the job and now does office work in the trailer in the PAC parking lot, changing orders, doing maintenance and making sure people get badged.  “The problem I find with working out in the field is you can only do that for a couple of years before your body gives out from the labor you’re doing,” said Chittick.

Even though he’s still a student at David Douglas, Chittick works five hour days, five days a week. Because he has late arrival, he starts his work day at 7 a.m. and works until 9 a.m. before rushing to his car and grabbing his school supplies to make it to second period. He then goes back to work when the school day ends and works another three hours, to total 25 hours a week.  

“The project was going to start last year during spring break but there was a problem with the permit,” said Chittick. “We got our permit just last Ffriday” (September 13th). He does believe that things will start to pick up the pace now that they have the correct permits.

Chittick’s boss was worried the students would be too young, inexperienced and immature, but since then has said that he is grateful for the hard working interns.

“I’m very lucky to have this internship and get paid in high school,” said Chittick.