By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— Often times, high school students can struggle to put together a resume containing more than a part-time job and schoolwork. That’s not the case for students enrolled in the Microsoft IT classes at Pelham High School.

As of March 24, 47 students have earned at least one Microsoft Specialist certification through the skills they are developing in Jason Haithcock’s class. In addition, 36 of those students have earned two certifications and 26 students have three.

“I think they are very proud of it,” Haithcock said. “They are going to have something that a lot of other high school graduates don’t have, and I think that is going to be able to propel them into a better job.”

So far, students have achieved certifications in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and Haithcock said they are working toward one more — in Microsoft Access —before the end of the school year.

The initial goal for the class, according to Haithcock, was to get the students certified in two specializations. While the class got off to a slow start, he said the students started working harder after Christmas and are doing better than he could have hoped.

“I give all the credit to the kids because without motivation, it is so hard in this day and time to teach without motivation,” Haithcock said. “The students, seeing those requirements for certifications and seeing the digital transcript in Microsoft, seeing those things on their resume created a motivation I haven’t seen in a classroom in a while.”

Once a student received one certification, Haithcock said it made them want more and more. He said watching the drive to do more develop was enjoyable, and the work the students are doing will be highly beneficial to them in the future.

Students interested in careers involving business or computers will have a leg-up against other candidates, Haithcock said, whether they intend to go to college or pursue a part- or full-time job.

Although the students only have about eight weeks left in the school year, Haithcock said many are working to earn the fourth certification.

“It’s been really cool to sit back and watch them get the certifications,” he said. “They are very excited about it.”