August 19, 2008
RJLG and CBC Add Value to Local Workforce
As the fall semester of a new school year is once again upon
millions of college students, RJ Lee Group (RJLG) announces how its
partnership with Columbia Basin College (CBC), located in Pasco,
Washington, is adding value to the Tri-Cities. The Center for
Laboratory Sciences (CLS), housed in a state-of-the-art facility on
the CBC campus, formed in 2002 when RJLG and CBC formed an
educational partnership. CLS has been a training ground for dozens
of students; all of whom, under the guidance of qualified and
degreed scientists, have been schooled in general laboratory
operations, sample intake and preparation, and hands-on laboratory
analysis.
This has been one of the best learning experiences of my life,"
says office intern Sopheary Long. "My being involved in the
day-to-day operations here at RJLG while attending CBC has given me
the best of both worlds."
Levi Shaw is an intern at CLS. He says, "Where else could a first
year chemistry student get the chance to work side by side with
scientists who have advanced level degrees in the fields of
chemistry, biology and materials science? Working with so many
different kinds of people and materials in a functional laboratory
environment has been a real learning experience."
Often laboratory interns are able to trade in their CLS internships
after graduation from CBC to full time employment as laboratory
technicians. Others go on to four colleges or universities, taking
with them the experiences that have allowed them to pursue
undergraduate research opportunities. "I was unsure of which path
to follow at CBC, but once I got the internship at CLS I felt right
at home and knew what career I wanted to pursue," says Becky
Thompson, a full-time CLS laboratory technician. Former CLS intern
Bryanna Mull, is now also a laboratory technician. She echoed Ms.
Thompson's comments, "I am constantly learning, constantly
exploring in this job. I had a chance to try out lab work and found
that I was good it at it. It isn't often you get to ‘try before you
buy' a career. This job is a great fit."
CBC has long been a strong supporter of the community by returning
well-trained and highly motivated individuals into the workforce.
Internships at CLS figure significantly into that equation. Working
closely with partners like RJLG allows CBC to provide both breadth
and depth to the educational experience ultimately producing
motivated career-seekers who are focused and well trained to meet
the Tri-Cities' unique labor needs.
CBC is a community college with a comprehensive mission for the
mid-Columbia. Fundamentally, the college environment is one of
access and opportunity, as manifested in three areas: (1) The first
two years of a college education; (2) Economic development through
workforce education; and (3) Basic skills education in many areas,
including G.E.D. and English-as-a-Second Language. College leaders
have worked to wed education and economic development through
improvement of its infrastructure. The results include the addition
of a new Science & Technology Center, a four-story Health
Science Center, and the Moore Observatory.
RJLG is an organization of scientific experts who provide
analytical and consulting services based on extensive knowledge of
materials characterization, analytical instrumentation and software
development. Leading organizations come to RJLG for more than data
and information; they come for an innovative approach and technical
solutions developed through our commitment to quality, reliability
and customer satisfaction. RJGL is built on a culture of continuous
improvement, constantly developing and implementing new
technologies to deliver value to its customers and enhance its core
business. This philosophy has materialized into a wide range of
laboratory management and sampling logistics processes that reduce
costs, speed analysis, and deliver high quality analytical
information to customers. RJLG has an established and successful
track record developing and commercializing leading-edge
technologies and managing large-scale analytical efforts.
Together, RJLG, CLS and CBC look forward to helping build the 21st
century economy to expand opportunity and access to higher
education, strengthen our people, our businesses, and our way of
life.
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