Several students assigned to vacation jobs in different sectors across Nimba County have expressed excitement about the opportunity to experience real work environments.
On August 28, during a tour in Sanniquellie, many interns said they were grateful for the program, noting that it helped them strengthen their interpersonal and communication skills while gaining first-hand knowledge of how various institutions operate.
Princess Zegbuo, an intern at the Ministry of Labor sub-office in Sanniquellie, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity. She said, “Since being assigned here, I’ve learned that when employees of any institution in the country face workplace issues, they can come to the Labor Ministry for redress. This is something I didn’t know before. This has been a valuable experience for me, and I want to thank ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) for giving me this opportunity through the vacation job program.”
Other interns, including Irene N. Dangan, Paul Boumie, Lawrence Konkah and Marylyn Tarlee Gibson, were placed at the Sanniquellie Youth Centre under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. They emphasized that their excitement came not from the compensation but from the exposure to a professional setting.
Irene, who served as supervisor for the group, highlighted the leadership skills she gained. “I’m studying Management at Nimba University, and this experience has allowed me to put my studies into practice. Managing students in the vacation school program alongside my colleagues has given me meaningful leadership exposure,” she said.
For Paul Boumie, a Criminal Justice student at Nimba University, he said the program directly complemented his field of study. “Criminal Justice emphasizes education, so teaching and guiding students here has allowed me to apply what I’ve learned. Working closely with the Youth Coordinator has also shown me what it takes to succeed in that role. This program has given me real insight, and I am thankful to AML for making it possible,” he observed.
Similarly, Carcious S.K. Bleh, assigned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the Liberia Geo-Information Service (LISGIS), explained that the internship exposed him to technical tasks such as collecting geo-data and other forms of information. He noted that this hands-on experience will serve as a valuable reference in his professional journey.
During the tour, Harrison B. Waydon, AML’s Community Relations Superintendent in Yekepa, met with the interns and urged them to focus more on the knowledge and experience gained rather than financial rewards.
“ArcelorMittal Liberia created this program not just for compensation but to expose you to real job settings. This experience will help you build networks and transition more easily into professional roles after graduation. At the end of the program, each of you will write a paragraph reflecting on your experiences and impressions. Thanks for your hard work and commitment,” Waydon said.
ArcelorMittal Liberia’s 2025 Vacation Job Program provided placements for more than 400 students across its three operational counties of Nimba, Bong and Grand Bassa. The initiative offered young people the opportunity to gain practical work experience in public and private institutions, with Nimba County hosting the largest number of interns. Through these assignments, students were exposed to real workplace settings, helping them build skills, expand networks, and connect their academic studies with professional practice.
