Marathon Petroleum: Students and community benefit from summer youth program at MPC Los Angeles refinery

For three decades, Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles refinery has served local youth and the communities around the facility through a unique summer internship program.

This summer’s group of interns consisted of 33 students between the ages of 17 and 19 from nine local high schools. As part of their summer internship at Marathon Petroleum, students complete at least one community-based project. This year, students selected a beautification project at a nearby elementary school, 232nd Place School & STEMM Magnet in Carson, California.

In coordination with Sharefest, a local nonprofit organization, the all-volunteer team focused on three areas of the school: the front of the building to improve the curb appeal, the school’s cafeteria, and the large blacktop in the rear of the school. The goal for the day of service was to instill a sense of pride in the school’s students, staff and parents.

“Marathon Petroleum’s investment has transformed our school,” said Principal Eliza Muhammad, 232nd Place School. “A project like this lets me as principal know that the community cares about our school. It shows me companies like Marathon Petroleum are invested in not just how the school physically looks but are invested in our students, too.”

In addition to the community-based projects, the student interns also participated in team-building exercises throughout the summer, conducted a mock career fair in collaboration with local businesses, took a tour of a local college, and toured the Port of Los Angeles aboard one of the sailboats from the Los Angeles Maritime Institute.

“This unique program has been helping to shape the lives of young people for 30 years,” said Deborah Cannon, Intern Coordinator at the Los Angeles refinery. “In addition to experiencing what it’s like to work at a refinery, these kids are learning important life skills – and at the same time – working to make a positive impact on their community.”