For Shana Thomas, her summer at Natural Pawz has been a chance to gain workplace experience, learn new skills, and become more comfortable in a new environment. Through Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast’s Summer Earn & Learn (S.E.A.L.) Work Experience program, Shana, 20, spent the summer working at the family-owned pet care business in The Woodlands.
When Shana first came to Natural Pawz, she was very shy. Flower, who works at the store, remembers having a hard time getting more than a few words out of her.
That changed as Shana became more comfortable with the work and the people around her.
During her time at Natural Pawz, Shana helped with everyday tasks around the facility, including cleaning and taking care of the space. She also had the chance to spend time around the animals in a quieter summer environment.
But Flower said the biggest change was seeing Shana become more confident.
“She started as shy and reserved, but she flourished,” Flower said.
As the summer went on, Shana became more comfortable greeting customers and asking questions about their pets. Flower said the Shana she saw later in the summer was very different from the person she met on her first day.
Shana said she was happy to be at Natural Pawz and enjoyed being there to help people.
For Flower, that kind of growth is one of the things that makes the Summer Earn and Learn experience valuable. Students have the chance to step into a new environment, learn workplace skills and discover what they are capable of outside the classroom.
“They’re willing to learn. They’re eager to learn. It’s a new environment,” Flower said.
For Shana, the summer gave her the opportunity to get comfortable in a workplace, build her confidence and gain experience she can carry with her into what comes next.
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