Chamber of Commerce Internship Helps Romeoville Student

Submitted by Valley View School District 365U

Photo: Stanley ”Josh” Gitogo

Stanley “Josh” Gitogo wants to own his own business someday.

But the Romeoville High School honor student isn’t just content to sit back and learn about his future career through textbooks. That’s why he decided to spend his last two summers as an intern for the Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Learning by the book is good,” the Secretary of both Student Council and National Honor Society said. “But the main way you learn something is by experiencing it.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to go into business so I asked myself what is the next step? How can I learn more?” the RHS senior added. “Mr. Rujawitz (RHS Department Chair) knew (former Chamber Executive Director) Mari (Edmonson) so I met with her and told her I was into business and I wanted to see what it was like, even if it was just me going to get the staff a cup of coffee.”

As it turned out, most of his internship was spent doing office work like making posters, organizing things, sending out e-blasts and answering phones. But he also got to meet and talk with a lot of local business people. And he worked with the current Chamber Executive Director, Michelle Jarnutowski.

“It was great,” he said. “I really saw how businesses can be effective, which I thought was pretty cool.”

Gitogo, who is President of the RHS Business Leadership Club (DECA) and participates in Scholastic Bowl and tennis, plans on majoring in marketing or finance with the University of Illinois, Marquette and Minnesota among universities on his list of possibilities.

As for advice to some of his younger classmates who may not have a handle on their future, Gitogo simply says “get involved.”

“While getting good grades is important, thousands of kids in America have high GPAs and ACT scores. You have to do stuff that will distinguish you,” he said. “Summer is a great time to relax but even if it’s only a couple of hours a week, you should do something in the field you want to go into.”