Senior Utilizes Dual Enrollment and Diversified Occupations to Gain Real World Experience

CHS senior Leila Jean-Louis is utilizing her work experience through the CHS Diversified Occupations (DO) program as a milker at Merrymead Farm in Lansdale, along with her dual enrollment (DE) credits, to prepare for next year’s transition to college. 

Jean-Louis started earning DE credits during the summer of her sophomore year. Through the past two years, she has earned almost a semester’s worth of credits at Montgomery County Community College (MontCo). 

Her goal when starting dual enrollment was to earn as many credits as possible so her transition to college would be easier. Throughout her time at MontCo, she has made friends with her classmates and joined the college’s sustainability club, where she has made connections with peers and professionals in the agriculture industry. 

Balancing college credits and her part-time job with her high school coursework wasn’t as difficult as she was expecting. 

“I started by taking asynchronous classes so I could work on the assignments during my off days,” said Jean-Louis. “Eventually, I was able to convince some of my high school friends to join me in dual enrollment classes so they could earn credits too.”

Jean-Louis credits her experience at MontCo with helping her gain confidence in her job at Merrymead Farm.  

“Dual enrollment helped me learn to work with people who are older than me in a professional setting,” she said. “I feel more comfortable sharing my ideas and working collaboratively with the others at the farm.”

Over the past three months, Jean-Louis has earned her keep at Merrymead as a cow milker through the CHS Diversified Occupations program. She herds the animals into the milk machines and monitors them as they are milked. However, her love of working with farm animals traces back to her childhood visits to her family farm in Haiti. 

“At first I was nervous working with the cows because I wasn’t familiar with the farm lingo used at my placement. But with the OSHA training I did at CHS and through experience, I now feel more confident,” said Jean-Louis. 

“Leila has matured so much, even in the last six months. I’m so proud of her and the work she is doing at the farm. Her confidence has grown exponentially,” said CHS Diversified Occupations teacher Brittney McKenna when reflecting on Jean-Louis’ growth through her high school experience. Now in its fifth year, the Diversified Occupations program provides career-driven seniors the opportunity to explore career pathways and learn technical and employability skills. The program enables seniors to earn credit toward graduation while completing paid, work-based learning experiences that align with post-secondary career goals.

Jean-Louis encourages others to participate in DE and DO programs at CHS, adding “If you’re on the fence, I’d recommend putting yourself out there anyway. My DE and DO experience has given me opportunities in agriculture that would not have been possible at CHS. It has shaped my post-grad plans, taught me effective, professional communication and allowed me to figure out my personal learning style.”

After graduation in May, Jean-Louis plans to continue her studies at MontCo in the biotechnology field before transferring to a four-year university. Her goal is to incorporate agriculture into the biotechnology sphere thanks to her experience at Merrymead Farm.