One of the most frustrating endeavors for most students is figuring out what he or she would like to do in life past high school. From the time we hit preschool, we are inundated with questions such as “What do you want to be when you grow up?” What’s even more frustrating is that so many students go several years into college before they truly know what they want to do or, even worse, before they realize that their major is not for them. That is a tough lesson to take when paying by the credit.

That is why programs such as the Lancaster High School Academy of Finance are so important. The program gives students a taste of how their dream job would actually play out in the real world by offering a curriculum that includes requirements for internships and a stint on a college campus. Learning that the chosen path is not exactly the right choice while still in high school is advantageous because students still have several years left to tweak their plans with the guidance of a skilled staff, and this has the potential to save the thousands of dollars that it would have cost to reach the same realization once the student already is enrolled in college.

The internship component of the academy’s curriculum has helped the program to receive national acclaim. The program and its director, Scott Dixon, recently were honored with awards during the National Academy Foundation Summer Institute in Philadelphia. The academy earned the Aldo Papone Award for Leadership in Academy Performance and $5,000, while director and business teacher Scott Dixon received the Janet Linton National Academy Leadership Award.

Internships at the high school level are valuable tools for students, but they also can add value to the businesses that take advantage of them. Our youths learn the importance of hard work at a younger age, and companies have the opportunity to teach youths the importance of their industries to the local economy. It’s a win-win situation — students earn the experience they need and businesses obtain another helping hand.

The program requires community support to fully afford students the opportunity to find meaningful internships. The academy’s advisory board is seeking new members, and anyone interested in joining may call Dixon at 686-3351. Also, business leaders who would like their firms to be added to the internship list are encouraged to contact Dixon.

Teaching students early that there are great opportunities for jobs in Western New York will not only help them to succeed in life but also encourage them to stay here to live out their dreams.