Truckworx Internship Works Wonders for Brandon High School Senior

Hands-on experience is helping Mason Martindale build a rewarding career path 

When Mason Martindale wanted to put his career skills to work, Truckworx came through with an internship that the Brandon High School senior has called a “gamechanger.” 

“When my career coach told me about the job opportunity at Truckworx, I jumped straight on it,” Martindale said. “So far, it’s been everything I thought it would be. It’s a learning process, and I just try to give my best with everything I do.”

Truckworx in Richland, Miss., is a family-owned and operated full-service commercial vehicle dealership and repair business that has been in operation since 1978. 

“We look for talent, but we also need workers who show up on time, who are respectful, and who work when they’re at work,” said Zach Conaway, Truckworx branch manager. “While college is one of the great things about America, there’s a huge trade sector that provides hands-on, application-based learning that doesn’t saddle someone with the debt often associated with college.” 

Brandon High School Career Coach Patti Lewis learned about the internship while touring Truckworx with a group of career coaches. The tour was arranged by Jane Foreman, workforce coordinator for the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District, which partners with Truckworx to create job and training opportunities for high school students.  

“Mason took a college and career readiness course when he was a junior, but he was still undecided about his future,” Lewis said. “He wasn’t interested in academics and didn’t like school very much, but we knew he had a lot to offer.

Lewis is one of nearly 180 career coaches deployed into Mississippi high schools by AccelerateMS, the state’s lead workforce development office. Career coaches help students chart career paths based on their goals and interests, and they also build relationships with local employers to provide jobs, internships, job shadows and networking opportunities.

Lewis credits her strong working relationship with Brandon High School guidance counselors in helping her establish a rapport with students who would benefit from her assistance. 

“At the beginning of the school year, I reached out to the counselors and explained what my role as a career coach is, and what I expected from them,” she said. “I also wanted to know what they expected of me. I needed access to the students, and that access came through the counselors.”

As part of Truckworx’s intern selection process, Conaway agreed to conduct a mock interview with Martindale to help him improve his presentation and communication skills. Martindale took Conaway’s constructive criticism to heart.

“Mason did everything Zach told him to do—he even cut his hair,” Lewis said. “He made a huge amount of improvements in a short amount of time, thanks to Zach’s feedback.”

Not only did Martindale get hired, but after the first 320 hours of his internship, he’ll have an opportunity to work full-time for Truckworx. In addition, he will be participating in the diesel technology program at Hinds Community College.

“Any time we’ve asked Mason to do anything, he’s there 15 minutes early, ready to work,” said Conaway. “It’s been wonderful to see him blossom in this job. He’s learning how to not be afraid of failure, how to solve problems without the use of technology, and to generally be a good member of society.” 

AccelerateMS serves the people and businesses of Mississippi by developing and deploying workforce strategies to connect individuals with transformative, high-paying careers. By leveraging resources and partnering with organizations that hold complementary missions, AccelerateMS effectuates positive change, creating sustained individual, community, and statewide economic prosperity. 

Learn more at www.coaches.acceleratems.org/.