During the 2017-18 school year, several Fuqua School juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to apply the lessons forged in the classroom to a career field of choice through an externship program.

According to a press release, externships are supervised learning opportunities under the guidance of an approved outside professional.

“These are experimental learning opportunities that challenge and test students in their desired field of study and allow for short practical experiences in a desired career choice,” officials said in the release. “Carrington Bailey, Brooke Tyree and Candice Pembleton are all pursuing a career in the medical field and are currently working through a rotation schedule at either Centra Southside Hospital or Centra Medical Center.”

According to the release, Parker Moore plans to pursue a career in automotive repair and is currently studying the necessary skills at Bailey’s Auto.

“Irene Thornton has a flair for politics and is working for a Congressional Campaign. Jacob Pribble wants to follow a career path in agriculture and is learning about equipment repair at Taylor-Forbes,” officials said in the release. “Brinley Thomas is continuing her love of animals by examining the skills of veterinary medicine at Ridge Animal Hospital.”

The release cited several students are working with faculty and staff on campus while exploring career opportunities in their field of interest. Harper Melton, Claire Watson, Hannah Palmore and Madison Pribble are studying early childhood education, Brinley Thomas is designing a program for pet therapy resources in classrooms and Eli Hall, Ethan Watson and Brandon Trombley are following their love of music with band internships.

“Another opportunity that students have this semester is to take classes through Hampden-Sydney College,” officials said in the release. “Currently we have seven students who are taking classes ranging from German to rhetoric. Several other students are taking online classes through Southside Community College in a wide variety of fields of study.”

The release cited externships, internships and college classes allow students to continue the core theme of Fuqua School — boundless individual potential — by pursuing opportunities outside a normal classroom setting.