Nimba County – The chance to experience real work situations has excited a number of students who were assigned vacation jobs in various sectors within Nimba, Bong and Grand Basa Counties.
Many interns expressed their gratitude for the program organized by ArcelorMittal Liberia during a tour at Sanniquellie on August 28, 2025. They stated that it improved their communication and interpersonal skills and gave them firsthand understanding of how different institutions function.
Princess Zegbuo, an intern at the Sanniquellie sub-office of the Ministry of Labor, conveyed her gratitude for the opportunity. “Since being assigned here, I discovered that workers at any institution in the nation can seek remedy from the Labor Ministry when they have problems at work. I had no prior knowledge of this. I want to thank ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) for providing me with this opportunity through the vacation job program; it has been a worthwhile experience.”
Irene N. Dangan, Paul Boumie, Lawrence Konkah, and Marylyn Tarlee Gibson were among the other interns assigned to the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ Sanniquellie Youth Centre. They made it clear that the exposure to a professional environment, rather than the pay, was what excited them the most.
Irene, the group’s supervisor, emphasized the leadership abilities she acquired. “I am a Management student at Nimba University, and this experience has helped me apply what I have learned. Working with colleagues to manage vacation school students has exposed me to leadership in a significant way.”
Paul Boumie, a Nimba University student, studying criminal justice, concluded that the program directly enhanced his academic interests. “Teaching and mentoring students here has allowed me to put what I’ve learned into practice because criminal justice places a strong emphasis on education. Additionally, collaborating closely with the Youth Coordinator has taught me what it takes to be successful in that position. This program has given me real knowledge, and I am thankful to AML for making it possible.”
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.
“This program was developed by ArcelorMittal Liberia to expose you to real-world work environments in addition to providing pay. Building networks and easing the move into professional employment after graduation are two benefits of this training. Each of you will write a short essay at the conclusion of the program summarizing your impressions and experiences. Thank you for your dedication and hard work,” Mr. Waydon added.
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.
