Henry County high schools’ Work-Based Learning initiative is dedicated to providing high school students with valuable work experience and career guidance. Henry County has a very active program in each of its nine high schools, and this is the first ‘Student of the Month’ recognition for the 2012-2013 school year.

Pictured is Ra’Keyia Collins, working at Bennett International Group, LLC.                                                     Special photo

  Ra’Keyia Collins, a senior at Eagle’s Landing High School, is the September honoree.  Bennett International Group, LLC, in McDonough currently hosts Collins as an accounting and marketing intern.

  The owner of a 3.5 GPA, Collins is participating in the Financial Management / Accounting career pathway. In her duties at Bennett Inter-national, she is responsible for tracking social media updates related to the trucking industry and other related businesses. Creating designs for advertisements and general accounting duties also fall to the goal-oriented student.

  “My supervisors give me tasks that are real, not tasks that seem like busy work,” said Collins.

 Collins’ career goal is to become an international auditor. She hopes to study accounting and minor in Spanish at one of the top colleges in Georgia but is undecided on which one.  She hopes to make her college decision soon, but her post-secondary schooling could possibly take her outside of the state as well.

  This is the second year in the Work-Based Learning program for Collins, and those who have had the chance to work with her sing her praises.

  “Ra’Keyia is such a joy to have as a Work-Based Learning student again this year,” said Dwanda Brew, Work-Based Learning Instructional Leader at Eagle’s Landing High School.  “She takes her school work and her job seriously and will work hard to make sure she stays on top.”

  Her supervisors at Bennett International notice an inspiring thirst for knowledge from someone as young as Collins.

  Marlena Turner, a member of the marketing department at Bennett International, lauds Collins’ attention to detail and knows that the senior student is on the right path to a successful career.

   “Ra’Keyia has great promise in whatever direction she chooses,” said Turner.  “I have no doubt in her ability to succeed once she enters the workforce.”

  Dean Wilson and Regina Auletta, two more members of the Bennett team, struck the same chord in their compliments.  Both noted the student’s focus, passion, and example she sets for others her age.

  Speaking to her experience while a member of the Work-Based Learning community, Collins shares that she has gained valuable resources through her work in preparing for her future.

  “I like that the (WBL) program places you in jobs that prepare you for the real world at such a young age.”