By Nicole Jacovino

Special to the Gazette

For Rohit Rana, the Harvard Internship Program has been more than a chance to earn high school credit and to make a little money. The things he's learned from working in the Administration and Finance Department have propelled him into the computer world. Before, he was leaning toward a career in management, but now plans to become a management information specialist.

"When I first came here, I only knew how to type," said Rana, a senior at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS). "Now I know Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and I know a little bit of Access. It's definitely been more realistic working here than being in high school. If I make a mistake here, it's going to affect the whole job."

Today, Rana and 10 fellow interns from CRLS will be honored at a luncheon at the Cronkhite Graduate Center, where they will receive certificates and be recognized by their mentors, their co-workers, and their families. But perhaps more important than the recognition are the work experiences they will take with them into their future careers.

CRLS senior Victor DeJesus, for example, has always wanted to be a mechanic. Working at the Transportation Services Department, he has literally received hands-on experience. His co-workers and mentor Mark Gentile have helped him to build his skills; DeJesus has been accepted to Technical Associated Design (TAD) in Chelsea to continue his education. The program is a good one, as DeJesus explains it: "I learn something that I don't know, I get paid for it, and I get credit."

Devon Feaster, another CRLS senior, was looking for a position outside of school where he could exercise responsibility, so he applied for an internship with Procurement Services. "The program has raised my level of confidence in myself," he said. He has been accepted to Wentworth Institute of Technology, where he will study to be an electrical engineer.

The computer skills he learned during the internship will help to accelerate his engineering studies, Feaster said. "Before I build [a] computer, I will know how to operate the computer and how to work with the software. It will help me when I go on to build the actual computer."

Espie Gorospe, another CRLS senior, worked for Dining Services as an administrative assistant. Although she plans to study business management at Lesley College or Boston College in the fall, the skills that Gorospe has learned from this internship have made her understand the responsibilities and expectations of a professional working environment. "I like being exposed to a business atmosphere and I like being treated as an adult," Gorospe said.

The Harvard Internship Program began in the fall of 1994, when two Harvard departments -- University Operations Services and Real Estate and Planning -- sponsored six interns. The idea was adopted from Polaroid Corp., but the curriculum was tailored to the policies and procedures of the University. Later, Dining Services also joined the program.

Interns work three days a week and are also required to participate in a seminar, take high school classes in English and social studies, and connect academic activities with the work experience. To get an internship, each student must interview with the department in which she or he would like to work, just as one would when applying for a job.

"For the first time, I saw students excited about their work," said internship coordinator Maria Ferri, who has been teaching for 17 years.

The program has also made a believer out of Maria Kerns, administrative coordinator for the University's Administration and Finance Department, who was skeptical about working with high school interns. But after meeting Rohit Rana, her vision changed.

"I had preconceived ideas about working with high school students," Kerns said. "After working with Rohit, I realized that I depended on him as much as any other staff person. He knew a lot about my job and helped me to get adjusted."

Now, as Rana leaves the Harvard Internship Program and goes off to study at Bentley College, another adjustment is taking place. Kerns will definitely miss him.

"Rohit has been like my right arm," she said.