Instructor Launches Internship Program

Cindy Dawson, local businesswoman, Butte College instructor as well as a current student, recently offered six well-deserving Butte College Horticulture and Agriculture students paid internships at her business, Gardens Galore. The internship program is funded through the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act, administered through the Alliance for Workforce Development in Chico. The Paradise nursery is located inside her mother’s business, Déjà Vu Antiques & Garden.

Dawson, who began working with the Employment Development Department over a year ago on grant possibilities, said the internships provide students with hands-on nursery production experience, while assisting in the expansion of the nursery. She said they learn a variety of skills including merchandising, sales, customer service, inventory and more. Students Brenda Bergland, Emma Clabby, Stephen Clifford, Scott Currie, Brett Galloway and Hillary Hunter were selected by Dawson for the new program.

“They really get the whole package,” she said. “It’s my hope to continue to work in conjunction with Butte College, placing future horticulture and agriculture students in work experience programs.”

Dawson credits the support of Butte College Chair of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Carrie Monlux and faculty member Tip Wilmarth for her success.

“They’ve been instrumental in changing my life,” she said. “They have mentored me and supported me beyond belief.”

Dawson said the most gratifying part of launching the internship program is in helping students become the “best of the best.”

Dawson recently completed her first AS degree at Butte College in Office Administration, as well as a Certificate of Achievement as a Nursery Technician. She has just five classes remaining to obtain her second AS degree in Environmental Horticulture (EH). She is a member of the Butte College Environmental Horticulture Club, and will be working alongside Monlux as a co-advisor to the Butte College Ag Ambassadors, and will be teaching in the EH department in Fall, 2017.