School to Work Opportunity at Birkey's in Mattoon

Grayson Haenig is part of the School to Work program at MHS. Lora Parcel coordinates this valuable work-experience for students. Grayson job shadowed workers at Birkey’s in Mattoon during the summer of 2023 and enjoyed the experience so much that he asked to be placed there for the school year as an intern. While a student at MHS, Grayson took a small engines course at the Forsythe Center through LLC; however, he contributes his personal experience working on tractors and cars for giving him confidence to do the job he’s doing currently at Birkey’s. 

Birkey’s supervisors said that Grayson is “hard-working, eager to learn, asks questions, and doesn’t stand around”. “He’s always looking for something to do and learn more about” said Clay Berner, Service Manager-Mattoon. Before Grayson was able to work alongside the Birkey’s crew, he learned safety procedures. His supervisors explained that safety is first and foremost. They look for students like Grayson who have a farm background, common sense, and have a sense of curiosity of how things work. 

The company offers full time employment for students who complete a two-year associate’s degree at Parkland College that Case helps to sponsor. There are over dozen stores and each offers this program. 

Grayson said he loves his job at Birkey’s and plans to begin working there full time after graduation. The only drawback of him working in Mattoon is the long drive, which means he uses lots of gas getting to and from the job-site. He said that the School to Work program has “built me up for the career I’ve chosen.” He added that “the good people he works with and having fun on the job are the best parts about working at Birkey’s.”

Read the full article from Martinsville Community Unit School District here.