For Perry County native Shelby Stump, a summer internship through EKCEP’s Prosper Appalachia program provided more than just hands-on experience, it cemented her career aspiration of becoming an orthodontist.
Stump, who recently graduated from Perry County Central High School, first connected with Prosper Appalachia through Chandler Wilcox, a career development specialist with LKLP Community Action Council, which delivers direct services for Prosper Appalachia under contract with EKCEP. After learning about Shelby’s interest in dentistry, Hatcher helped her secure a summer placement at Petrey & Newcomb Orthodontics in Hazard.
“[Orthodontics] is something I’ve wanted to do since I was seven years old,” Stump said, adding that the internship helped solidify her career choice.
Throughout the summer, Shelby worked full-time alongside the orthodontics team.
“It’s been very hands-on. That’s always been something with me. I’ve always had to be a hands-on person, and I’ve got to do X-rays, oral scans. I’ve got to make retainers. It’s been great,” she said.
The experience also gave her a new perspective on the variety of orthodontic work at Petrey & Newcomb.
“Like as a patient, it seems like just the same thing every day, but that’s not true at all,” she said. “It’s something different every single day and it’s just it keeps you on your toes. It’s very interesting.”
This fall, Shelby is attending the University of Pikeville to begin her studies in higher education, with the long-term goal of returning home to serve her community.
“Seeing what Petrey & Newcomb do for the town, they’re the only orthodontic office that will take Medicare and Medicaid. So that’s why they stay so busy,” she said. “And I want to come back and be able to do that for Hazard. It’s hard to find affordable orthodontic treatment. That’s what I want to be able to do for Hazard.”
She said the Prosper Appalachia internship was instrumental in helping her confirm her career choice.
“It’s been a great experience. It’s helped me confirm what I want to do after college and I’ve learned a lot this summer,” Stump said. “It’s been a great step into not so much a part-time job, but more experience with a full-time job. I’ve worked five days a week, 8:00 to 5:00 all summer.”
Beyond the career experience, Shelby said the internship gave her something just as important — a steady paycheck. As a high school student preparing for college, the ability to earn while gaining professional experience helped her manage expenses and still enjoy her final summer before college.
“It is very helpful, especially being able to work full-time. I can still hang out with my friends on the weekends, but I’m still making money to be able to go to college,” she said.
Prosper Appalachia is funded in part through Putting Young Kentuckians to Work, a statewide initiative established in House Bill 1 of the 2024 Kentucky Legislative Session.
EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. EKCEP is funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, along with various federal and state grants and private donations, and is a proud partner in the American Job Center network. Learn more at ekcep.org.