DECATUR - Shantasha Shaw wasn't sure what to think after drinking her first cup of coffee.

The 15-year-old sophomore at MacArthur High School, who has been helping out in the office at Peerless Cleaning and Restoration Services, didn't seem sold on the drink.

"It did wake me up," she admitted.

While coffee is a staple in many office environments, the more important lessons Shantasha and other high school students participating in a program through Workforce Investment Solutions are learning should go a long way in advancing their careers.

"It did better my computer skills," Shantasha said. "If I do get a job here, I will know what to do."

The program she is part of, which is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, has taken 10 students through a series of business lessons. They started off the summer by attending CampCEO at Millikin University, followed by two weeks of additional classroom training before being matched with businesses around Decatur for two weeks of on-the-job work.

"They're going to have a head up on people they're competing with for jobs," instructor Mary Little said. "I just wish more kids could have done this."

Students who have been job-shadowing at Decatur Memorial Hospital have had their eyes opened to opportunities in health care, many of which they didn't know existed.

"It's all about seeing opportunity and going after it," Little said. "The kids, they've taken the opportunity."

The program has enhanced the students' experiences during what could have been a dull summer.

"I didn't envision doing this," student Devante Hill said. "This is better than I expected it to be. It was a tight job market. I'd probably be at home asleep right now."

Student Talyasha Smith has seen things such as how physical therapy is done and how the medical equipment supplies shop is run. The students are scheduled to meet with DMH President and CEO Ken Smithmier.

"I didn't know what to expect," Talyasha said. "It was real fun."

The businesses have benefited from having the students around.

"Everyone requested them to come back," said Tanya Andricks, administrative director of DMH Home Health Services. "It's been as helpful for my staff as the students. It's a positive for our staff, because they enjoy talking about why they chose to do what they do for a living."

While the experience might not lead directly to a job right away, Andricks said she'd be happy to assist the students with whatever they need, including letters of recommendation.

The projects the students have completed while at camp, in the classroom and on the job give them something tangible they can show potential employers, said Connie Beck, Millikin Regional Entrepreneurship director, who has helped coordinate the program. The business skills are things needed by all students, she said.

"It's not something they've taught in schools," Beck said. "I wish there was an easy answer, but if it was easy, we would have already discovered them."

The businesses see a benefit in helping to train the students. Shantasha Shaw was working with Peerless' special projects manager, Jennifer Elvenholl, on a little bit of everything. They have assembled things such as coupons and binders for human resources.

"It just helps build relationships we wouldn't ordinarily have," said Debbie Whitney, human resources manager at Peerless. "It's an experience I wish my kids would have had."

Peerless is still in a hiring mode, Whitney said, as it continues to look for qualified workers. Providing the skills and training is in the company's best interest, she said.

"We'd definitely be interested in the future," she said.

clusvardi@herald-review.com|421-7972