More Than an Internship
A Masterclass in Craft and Character
OWL360’s Level Up internship program doesn’t provide “workers for businesses.” We connect young people with community members who walk the walk when it comes to making a difference. That’s the story of John McCormack and Will, and we’re grateful to get to share it with you.
At a 2025 fundraising event for OWL360, John felt a spring of inspiration rise up. Being the man he is who takes action to do good, as he has done his whole career, John took the opportunity to find our Workforce Development Lead, Sonia Frojen, and at the event asked her how he could get involved with OWL360’s young people.
Sonia had the perfect fit for John. Will, a young man with dreams of attending a trade school, but not able to make it happen, was in need of direction and someone who believed in him. John was that man.
Though John’s schedule didn’t allow an official internship to start for almost 6 months, he met with Will for several hours each week. During these meetings, the groundwork was laid for Will’s internship. In the meantime, he would wingman John on trips to the lumber store while the process of relationship building began, all before actually starting the internship.
After meeting with John and Will, one could say the trade school not working out might have been a blessing in disguise. Instead, Will has been attending what can only be called a masterclass. Not only is John a truly good human, but he’s a Master Furniture Designer, Teacher and Maker, right here in Port Townsend.
John was trained under Bob Treanor at San Francisco State University's Design and Industry Department, graduated from the Furniture Making Program at The North Bennet Street School in Boston, then completed his MFA in Furniture Design from Rhode Island School of Design, otherwise known as RISD.
Needless to say, being mentored under John is an invaluable opportunity for anyone, but John wouldn’t say that. He has been “in service” to his community for 30 years, with his first venture in donating his time being a joint project to build a massive bench at a tough inner-city school he described as a “war zone.” John considers teaching “socially useful.” Both the teacher and the student benefit. John frames education as a source of sophistication, and he does it in a humble, refreshing way. He wants to show people what’s possible, and to help them lead intellectually challenging lives. This is work that goes beyond finding a job; it enters into the realm of growing into a person with a broader horizon and a more open mind.
John and Will have some simple outcomes in mind for the internship which include a basic set of woodworking skills, a sense of what a day in a shop looks and feels like, the rhythm and work ethic needed for this type of work, and the soft skills learned by literally following John around town. John hopes Will ends the 90 hour internship with his own workbench, the one Will is currently building, and that will last a lifetime.
From his workshop for John McCormack Design, where John employs two other woodworkers, he teaches woodworking classes, builds custom and commissioned furniture, and provides woodworking services of all kinds for local and national clients including architects, homeowners and home builders. For more information about John McCormack Design, visit https://www.johnpmccormackdesign.com.
Level Up is a paid internship program that supports our Earn to Learn program graduates. Interns embark on their career pathways with a paid internship into vocational training opportunities. Upon the successful completion of 90 hours of career-aligned work and/or training, a $1000 stipend is offered.
If you or someone you know might be interested in OWL360's vocational training opportunities, please contact Sonia Frojen
Soniaf@owl360.org
