Partnership with Chattahoochee Technical College in GA

Written by: Anita Mashburn on September 30, 2019

Chattahoochee Tech students Victoria Sweeton and Alex Cote are gaining valuable, real-world career experience through internships established by Ed Voyles Honda and Ed Voyles Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (CDJR) for students in the college’s popular Automotive Technology program.

Chattahoochee Techs First Students to Participate in Paid Internship

Both Sweeton and Cote are pursuing Associate of Applied Science degrees in Automotive Technology at Chattahoochee Tech. They are the college’s first students to participate in a paid internship program established by local businesses to advance the career training for Chattahoochee Tech students in their field of study. Sweeton, of Marietta, was selected for an internship at Ed Voyles Honda, and Cote, of Douglas County, was selected for an internship at Ed Voyles CDJR.

“What they learn about in class is what they get to do here,” said Ed Voyles Honda General Manager Pete Richards. “This is a great career field for people, and we’re very happy to have these Chattahoochee Tech students here. Victoria is the only female technician we have right now at this location, and she is doing a really great job.”

The internship program is also proving to be very successful for Cote at the Ed Voyles CDJR location. “Alex cares about her work, and shows great attention to details,” said Ed Voyles CDJR General Manager Drew Tutton. “She sets a great example and works very well with all of the other employees. We plan to keep offering this internship for Chattahoochee Tech students as they go through school.”

Demonstrating What You’ve Learned

Chattahoochee Tech Automotive Technology students Alex Cote and Victoria Sweeton demonstrate their automotive knowledge for General Managers Drew Tutton and Pete Richards.

Cote, of Douglas County, is a home-school high school graduate who balances her internship schedule with Automotive Technology program classes at the college’s Marietta Campus. “This internship program is really cool because it gives us a chance to work in a real-world setting,” said Cote. “We’re actually working on things that we’re learning about in class at Chattahoochee Tech.”

“I definitely try to work hard, and I want to be an asset to the company,” said Cote. “A goal for when I graduate would be to definitely work full-time, and really get more into the career I’m building now.”

Sweeton, of Marietta, currently is taking Automotive Technology program classes at the Chattahoochee Tech Appalachian Campus in Jasper. She is a graduate of Wheeler High School in Cobb County and began her internship with Ed Voyles Honda soon after she enrolled at Chattahoochee Tech in January 2019.

“I started working at Ed Voyles Honda in May, and it has been amazing,” said Sweeton. “I knew immediately that this was going to be a place I wanted to stay. Not only for the great working environment but for the people I work with and the career opportunity. I feel extremely blessed to be here.”

New Service Bays the Size of a Football Stadium – Ed Voyles is Investing in Atlanta, GA

The Ed Voyles Honda location in Cobb County where Sweeton works recently was reconstructed and features an enclosed, 60-bay service area that measures 100 yards from end to end, the size of a football field. The working environment is enhanced by dozens of large windows that offer plenty of natural lighting, noted Sweeton, along with air conditioning that keeps the service technicians cool during the hot months, and a heating system designed to keep them warm during the winter months.

“This internship program has been completely beneficial for me as a student,” said Sweeton. “Not only have I been able to submerge myself in this environment, I’m learning in the classroom and in the real world. It is creating a solid foundation for me in this field.”