Summer Hire Program wraps up

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Russell
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Summer vacation is coming to an end and so is the Summer Hire Program concluding Aug. 8.

Seventeen dependents participated in Incirlik's Summer Hire Program which provided them a five-week summer job at various locations around base.

"The Summer Hire program has been popular throughout the Department of Defense for several years," said Charlotte Kinser, 39th Force Support Squadron Summer Hire Program lead. Though United States Air Forces in Europe has different regulations than most state-side programs, the program has been very successful with helping young dependents begin their resumes.

Students between the ages of 14 and 23, who are dependents of active duty military members and Department of Defense civilians, were eligible to participate in the program.

The program offered students jobs at the library, post office, the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the golf course, said Ms. Kinser. Employers submitted requests to Ms. Kinser for the number of students they had availabilities for.

The students contributed in day-to-day tasks while gaining job experience.

"At the golf course, I stock the pro shop, get the range balls together, clean and charge the golf carts, refill the water coolers on the course and take out the trash," said Tyeler Barker, 16, a student with the Summer Hire Program.

The program helps the students develop communication and telephone skills, work with different computer programs, build professional relationships and earn job experience for future references, Ms. Kinser said.


Each student was able to work up to 20 hours a week and made $5.50 an hour.

"The students earn a paycheck they can bring home and be proud of," said Ms. Kinser.

Tyeler said he is saving his money for a car when he gets back to the states to get him to future job locations. The money could also help with payment, insurance and gas.

Ms. Kinser added that those students who didn't get to participate this summer will get a chance when next summer's program kicks off.