Riverside High School senior Shamar Washington.

DURHAM – Just days before receiving his high school diploma from Riverside High School, Shamar Washington already has a plan for his future. He’s set to return to Durham Public Schools as a full-time employee.

Washington recently completed an internship with DPS’s Transportation Services in the mechanic workshop, and will now work as a full-time Technician 1 mechanic. He found out about the internship through his father, Sherrod Washington, who also works in Transportation Services. 

Sherrod says watching his son begin a career at DPS is meaningful and rewarding for their family. 

"It's pretty cool seeing him thrive somewhere that me and his mom have built a career out of," he said. “I think he's going to pave the way for other young people to come back and do the same thing. He shows students that returning to work for Durham Public Schools is possible and that success can start right here."

Shamar’s mother, Deona Washington, also works in DPS’s transportation department. Currently an interim area manager, Deona previously worked as a bus driver, and made headlines two years ago by rescuing 28 students from a bus right before it went up in flames.

Shamar gained hands-on experience during his internship by completing major repairs and maintenance projects on school buses, including brake jobs, coolant system repairs, air fitting replacements and oil leak repairs. His supervisors said his attention to detail, willingness to learn and commitment to safety, quickly made him a valuable member of the team.

"I learned that I am very careful with my work," Shamar said. "I would rather ask a million questions than make a costly mistake. I want a career that I enjoy and one that allows me to feel good about the work I accomplish at the end of each day."

Shamar said he hopes his story will encourage other students within DPS to explore opportunities that they may not have considered before.

"Try as much as possible because you never know what you'll like," he said. "I was never interested in mechanical work, but I fell in love with it and had fun doing it. Don't limit yourself to things you think you can't do because you can do anything you put your mind to. Just do it." 

In addition to internships like Shamar’s, Durham Public Schools offers a variety of Career and Technical Education pathways that allow students to explore different career options and build practical skills. 

With guidance from Sheena Brooks, a Riverside career development coordinator, students like Shamar have access to the CTE programs offered. “These programs provide students with the skills, experiences and confidence needed to succeed in the workplace,” Brooks said. “Through CTE, students apply academic instruction with hands-on, employer-driven work experiences. Students build employability skills, earn academic credit, and gain industry specific knowledge before graduation.”

Northern High School and the Southern School of Energy and Sustainability both offer an automotive pathway that allows students to get hands-on experience in mechanical work and to earn certifications that will accelerate their career after graduation. There are 13 CTE Career Clusters across DPS that range from business and finance to engineering to culinary arts. Each of the five comprehensive high schools has one or more CTE pathways.

“It was great," Shamar said. "I do want to shout out Mrs. Emory. She was one of the best teachers I've ever had. She taught me from kindergarten through first grade at Hillandale Elementary. She really helped instill confidence in me."

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