Montville High School
Work-Based Learning Program

[ Background information ] [ Steps for Successful Internships ] [ Roles ] [ Student Comments ]

Background

This document is a resource for staff who will be involved in the planning and implementation of the Montville High School Senior Internship Program.

Internships are an important component of work-based learning, building upon the junior/senior job shadowing program. They provide opportunities for students to spend extended periods of time in workplace settings that reflect career opportunities across the pathways. Students are exposed to a career, learn the skills necessary to succeed in a career field, and use the work place as an extension of the classroom.

Definition

We have defined internships as either non-paid or sometimes paid, structured work experiences. Students are at a work site 2-3 times per week over the course of a semester. Specific dates, times and student assignments vary for each facility.

We are sensitive to the employer community in defining the internship structure. We plan to ease the employer into the process and not make them feel over-committed.

Participants

The School-to-Career Coordinator with the assistance of the Work-site Monitor and the classroom teacher will administer the internship. Individual guidance counselors will also be a key component of the team. They will provide recommendations regarding career goals and assist in resolution of issues regarding such issues as discipline or attendance problems during the internship which may effect student's grade and/or continuation of the internship itself.

Steps for Successful Internships

The following steps are important in developing internships for our students. The steps generally occur in the order that they appear, although there may be some exceptions.

  1. Initial Steps

    1. Introduce Internship and Distribute Student Survey to Internship Classes

      An overview of the internship is presented by the classroom teacher to the students in the internship class and at the same time a student survey is distributed. The survey helps to target occupational areas and match students with employers. Also, at this time students will visit the Career Center to take the Career Interest Inventory.

    2. Explain Results of Student Surveys

      Surveys are analyzed and the results explained to the students. Student questions and concerns are addressed during this time.

    3. Meet Individually with Student

      Review student surveys and meet with students individually to confirm their interests. Discuss any concerns or questions that they may have regarding their internship.

    4. Target Occupational Areas

      The number of internships required in various occupational areas is determined by analyzing the results of student surveys and by meeting individually with the student. The goal is to provide opportunities that relate to student interests.

    5. Target Employers

      After the occupational areas have been identified, employers are contacted for potential internships. Employers in the school's existing network are given initial consideration. The school also recruits new partners regularly.

    6. Make Employer Contacts

      Appointments are made with targeted employers to explore their willingness to participate. The School-to-Career Coordinator or Work-site Monitor meets with the employer to discuss objectives of the internship. The employer is provided with a Employer Information Package.

  2. Matching, Orientation and Final Details

    1. Match Students and Employers

      Students are matched with participating employers. The match is based upon student interests, transportation options and employer needs.

    2. Generate and Sign Training Agreement

      The training agreement is the official document which outlines the date and time of the internship, tasks to be performed, learning objectives and expectations of the student, employer and school. It is generated through discussions with the work site supervisor.

      The training agreement must be signed by the student, parent, work site supervisor and School-to-Career Coordinator, generally in that order. It is optimal to develop the student evaluation and employer evaluation in conjunction with the training agreement. Each evaluation includes the specific tasks and learning objective required of the intern.

    3. Employer Orientation

      The purpose of the employer orientation is to help employers know what is expected of them. Expectations and learning objectives are reviewed and a copy of the training agreement and the employer evaluation are distributed. The orientation will provide the opportunity for the employer to ask questions and discuss any issues relating to working with students.

    4. Communicate with the Attendance Office

      Before the internship begins, the attendance office is given a list of the students who will be participating and the time that they will be leaving for their respective internships. Students will be required to sign out prior to leaving for their internship. In the event a student fails to sign out, a cut slip will be issued.

  3. Monitor Student Progress/Integrate Classroom Work

    1. Communicate with Employers

      Employers are called and visited regularly by the classroom teacher during the course of the internship. Employers are also given notice of any modified school schedules (i.e. CAPT testing) which may impact internship times. Additionally, situations may arise such as tardiness, absenteeism, inappropriate behavior, employer questions/concerns, etc. The School-to-Career Coordinator, Work-Site Monitor, classroom teacher and/or Guidance Counselor resolve any potential conflicts.

    2. Monitoring Students

      The classroom teacher meets with students regularly to discuss questions/concerns that they may have regarding their internship. Throughout the internship we strive to develop internships that integrate experiences with the classroom. The teacher ensures that attendance requirements are being met during the internship.

  4. Follow Up With Students

    1. Student Evaluation

      Upon completion of their internship, students fill out an evaluation which is tailored to their work site and is developed at the same time as the training agreement. These evaluations will help to determine the success of the program and future improvements that need to be made. Classroom time is allocated for this activity.

    2. Thank You Note

      Upon completion of the internship, students write a thank you note to their employer. Students are assisted by the Classroom Teacher in preparing the thank you note. Classroom time is allocated for this activity.

    3. Appreciation Ceremony

      Upon completion of the internship employers are honored for their participation in the program (i.e. at a special breakfast and/or luncheon).

    4. Grade

      Students are assigned a grade for the internship by the classroom teacher. The grade is based upon their employer evaluation, journal exercises, attendance and attitude before, during and after the internship or otherwise assigned by the classroom teacher. Employer evaluation shall be heavily weighed in determining the final grade.

  5. Follow Up With Employers

    The Work-site Monitor or Classroom Teacher gives the work site supervisor an evaluation with a return envelope. Evaluations are tailored to each work site and are developed at the same time as the training agreement. Employers who do not return the evaluation are contacted.

  6. Program Review

    Upon completion of the internship, the student and employer evaluation are analyzed to review the success of the program and potential for future improvements.

    Roles

    In order to enhance communication and ensure continual monitoring of the internship program the following roles are assigned to the Classroom Teacher (Internship Teacher), Career Center Monitor, School-to-Career Work-Site Monitor and Guidance Counselor.

    1. Classroom (Internship) Teacher:

      1. Introduce students to the course curriculum and grading system.

      2. Introduce students to the Career Center & assist students in taking the Career Interest Inventory.

      3. Based upon the Career Interest Inventory, assist each student in filling out the Student Survey (Appendix 1) in order to make sure that choices are reasonable and distribute a copy to the Workite Monitor in the Career Center. This is an extremely important step. Goals should be consistent with students' interests and strengths. Student Surveys should be completed and provided to the School-to-Career Monitor by the end of the 2nd week of September.

      4. Along with Worksite Monitor, assist students in researching duties and responsibilities, as well as possible places of employment for at least three (3) career choices.

      5. Assist students in developing a resume for each Career Choice..

      6. Early in September, schedule a meeting with all parents and students to review the internship requirements.

      7. Meet with students and their parents the 1st week of January each year to review and sign a copy of the partnership agreement.

      8. Assist students with developing learning objectives.

      9. Ensure students develop an individual internship schedule of specific days and times for prospective employer. Employers do not understand or know the A/B Block Scheduling.

      10. Visit all intern sites weekly during internship semester and complete Job Site Visit form on each student. Provide copy for files to Worksite Monitor.

      11. Maintain accurate attendance record and discuss any discipline or attendance problems encountered or reported by School-To-Career Coordinator/ Monitor or employer with guidance counselor. In cases where problems are encountered the classroom teacher will conduct daily visits in lieu of weekly job site visits and prepare a detailed report for inclusion in the file, with a copy to administration.

      12. Review with students their requirements while on the internship (i.e. journal, thank you notes, final evaluation, revised resume, and any other assignments as requested by the classroom teacher).

      13. Ensure Portfolios are developed and completed.

      14. Prepare students for internship interviews.

      15. Schedule alternative assignments and class assignments in the event that a student cannot attend his/her internship (i.e. in cases of illness that prevents the student from being at the site; transportation problems, etc.).

    2. Guidance Counselor:

      1. Along with Classroom (Internship) Teacher, School-to-Career Coordinator/Work-site Monitor and other school officials, resolve any discipline or attendance problems encountered during the internship which may effect student's grade and/or continuation of internship itself.

    3. Career Center Monitor

      1. Assist Classroom Teacher and students with Career Interest Inventories and library of resources.

    4. School-to-Career Coordinator/Work-site Monitor

      1. Establish database of potential internship employers.

      2. Establish a Business Section in the Career Center to provide information regarding potential careers in the local area.

      3. Target occupational areas and employers for internships based upon result of Student Surveys.

      4. Make employer contacts to explore their willingness to participate.

      5. Provide sample copies of Internship School-to-Career Business Partnership Agreement to prospective employers.

      6. Work with employers to establish internship times which meet their needs.

      7. Generate Partnership Agreement for each intern.

      8. Assist Internship Teacher in performing site visits during internship semester.

      9. Distribute and collect Employer Evaluation forms.

      10. Maintain in the Career Center portfolio files for all students.

      11. Maintain files of Internship Class including student schedule, partnership agreement, grades, weekly site visit reports, goal and objectives and individual internship schedules.

      12. Schedule student interviews with potential employers.

      13. Provide orientation for participating employers.

      14. Assist employers in developing worksite time card system.

    Student comments regarding the Sr. Internship Program:

    Heather - Mobil Oil Corporation

    I have learned a lot from participating in the program. One of those things is how much exactly goes into running a business. I learned about real life things such as what an employer looks for in an applicant just from an application and a phone call.

    Phil - Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department

    I think this internship went real well and I had a blast doing it. I would suggest this place to someone else who would be interested in a career like this.

    Aaron - Mohegan Tribe/Graphic Arts

    As a whole, I feel the education I've received through my work experience has been very thorough. My understanding of the way a professional office runs throughout the day has grown and I feel prepared for future work experiences.

    Jessica - Torinese Italian Pastry

    From participating in this program I have learned a lot about the business world. I was interning at a bakery and I was suppose to learn things about foods but I gained more knowledge on being an entrepreneur that learning about foods. I think either way I learned something because some day I do want to become an entrepreneur and this gave me a chance to help the business make some decisions. I have also gained from my internship the knowledge of how hard the business world can be. I learned that you have to have good advertising and a good location to have a successful business...

    Andrew - TLC Lawncare

    Three really good things I could say about interning are that the class work was very informative, the journal helped me reflect on experiences and the program and the program helped me reassure myself that landscaping and lawn care is a trade I will pursue.

    Lauren - Active Physical Therapy

    I enjoyed my internship a lot. I found it very informative, fun and exciting.... AAlthough I have chosen not to go into physical therapy and into physical education instead I have learned a lot of basic body knowledge. The stuff I learned will greatly help me in my classes in college.

    Matt - The Norwich Bulletin

    By participating in the internship program I=ve gained one of my most important resources; a portfolio. I have many new articles which were written in a professional newspaper.

    Josh - Mohegan Tribe/Environmental Department

    This internship has given me direction as to the path it takes to attain a successful career. It has also given me a feel for a field I wish to enter. Before this year, I was a little lost as to where I wanted to go in life. This internship has given me direction as to what I wish to do and can do and what it takes to do it.

    Back to Top

back home forward