COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Students from Whitehall-Yearling High School visited Defense Supply Center Columbus on Apr. 20 to learn about the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime during “A day in the life of a mentor” event.
DLA Land and Maritime deputy chief of staff, Don Schulze welcomed the student mentees and explained the variety of career options they might take in order to be successful in the military or as a federal civilian employee.
"DLA – The story of us” video provided the students with insight into DLA and the organization’s worldwide operations.
After learning about DLA, the mentees attended a mini career fair and visited various career tables. “The idea is to give the students a view of the different jobs that are performed here and what the requirements are to go into those fields of study,” said Tanya Merritt, a mentor and Land and Maritime associate.
The students also visited DLA’s state of the art Testing and Engineering lab for hands-on learning at mechanical and electrical stations.
“Our overall goal is to create activities that will demonstrate theory and then reinforce theoretic principles with experimental method,” said Joseph May, Land and Maritime electrical engineer.
Students spent about 10 minutes at each station examining parts for flaws and inconsistencies using microscopes as well as 2D and 3D x-ray systems. They also measured parts using the 3D geometry machines and learned about the math that is associated with the software.
The labs also demonstrated what can happen when a circuit is overloaded and how it can lead to hazardous situations during a presentation on home electrical safety.
The day’s activities concluded with a tour of Mission Park where the students had an opportunity to see the types of military equipment DLA purchases to support warfighters around the world.
The site visit was part of the overall mentoring program between DLA Land and Maritime’s EEO Federal Women Mentoring Program and Whitehall-Yearling High School established in 2013. “The goal is to connect with students and provide them with examples of life experiences that will help them build upon skills,” said Debra Hobbs, Land and Maritime associate, FWP chair and mentor.
