Nimba County, Liberia: Several students assigned to vacation jobs across Nimba County have expressed excitement about the opportunity to gain real-world work experience.

During a tour in Sanniquellie on August 28, many interns praised the program, noting that it strengthened their interpersonal and communication skills while giving them firsthand insight into how various institutions operate.

Princess Zegbuo, an intern at the Ministry of Labor sub-office in Sanniquellie, shared her appreciation:

“Since being assigned here, I’ve learned that when employees of any institution in the country face workplace issues, they can come to the Labor Ministry for redress. This is something I didn’t know before. This has been a valuable experience for me, and I want to thank ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) for giving me this opportunity through the vacation job program.”

Other interns, including Irene N. Dangan, Paul Boumie, Lawrence Konkah, and Marylyn Tarlee Gibson, were placed at the Sanniquellie Youth Centre under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. They emphasized that their excitement came not from compensation but from the exposure to a professional setting.

Irene, who served as supervisor for the group, highlighted her leadership growth:

“I’m studying Management at Nimba University, and this experience has allowed me to put my studies into practice. Managing students in the vacation school program alongside my colleagues has given me meaningful leadership exposure.”

For Paul Boumie, a Criminal Justice student at Nimba University, the program directly complemented his field of study:

“Criminal Justice emphasizes education, so teaching and guiding students here has allowed me to apply what I’ve learned. Working closely with the Youth Coordinator has also shown me what it takes to succeed in that role. This program has given me real insight, and I am thankful to AML for making it possible.”

Similarly, Carcious S.K. Bleh, who worked with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Liberia Geo-Information Service (LISGIS), said the internship introduced him to technical tasks such as geo-data collection and information management—skills that will serve as valuable references in his professional career.

During the tour, Harrison B. Waydon, AML’s Community Relations Superintendent in Yekepa, encouraged the interns to value knowledge and experience above financial rewards:

“ArcelorMittal Liberia created this program not just for compensation but to expose you to real job settings. This experience will help you build networks and transition more easily into professional roles after graduation. At the end of the program, each of you will write a paragraph reflecting on your experiences and impressions. Thanks for your hard work and commitment.”

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, with Nimba hosting the largest number. Through these assignments, students gained practical work experience in both public and private institutions—helping them connect classroom knowledge to real workplace practice, expand professional networks, and prepare for their future careers.