Business Partner Information

Participating in youth work-based learning experiences offers businesses an immeasurable return on investment. Some of these are:

- Meet staffing needs by utilizing student interns
- Recruit, develop, and evaluate potential employees
- Gain insight and fresh perspective from highly-motivated students
- Promote your company as a community partner
- Provide leadership opportunities for your employees serving as mentors
- Increase awareness about the skills needed within your industry

Process

- School officials identify student interns to participate in the program and work with students on professional skills.
- Employers identify positions suitable for student interns and provide Business Engagement Coordinator with job descriptions and rate of pay. We ask employers to consider paying our students $10 per hour.
- Employers interview and select their interns. Employers sometimes require pre-employment screening, including drug screening and background checks, after internship offers are accepted by students. All students complete confidentiality agreements during their pre-employment training at their high school.
- Students participate in Signing Day to celebrate the upcoming internship commitment. Students begin work after Signing Day.
- Employers identify a mentor who will work with the intern, providing safety and procedural guidance.
- Students report their working hours to the Business Engagement Coordinator weekly.
- Mentors and business representatives evaluate interns at the end of the internship period that typically lasts 12 weeks.
- At the end of the internship period, employers and interns gain valuable information and experiences to assist in future workforce decisions. If the employer is in a position to do so, job offers for available positions may be made at this time.

Are you ready to apply for an internship?

Complete the form below if you would like to apply for an internship. Applying for an internship does not guarantee a work-based learning experience.

Application for Internship

Student Information

Are you looking for a career and not just a job?

Eligible juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply for an internship through the Key to Career program, which provides work-based learning opportunities for our students. If you aren't sure about what career path to take, participating in an internship can help guide you when making career decisions. Anyone can get a job; Key to Career is about helping you find your career.

What is an internship?

An internship is an opportunity to work for a local company for a minimum of 40 hours with a mentor, learning work-based, leadership, and professional skills. Students can register for the internship course at their high school, or if you are enrolled at DCIT we can work with your instructor on class scheduling. Talk to your counselor or career specialist for more information.

To be eligible to apply for an internship, students must:

not have a record of serious behavior or attendance infractions, specifically within the past two years
not be failing any courses
have at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher or employer
pass an employer-requested drug test

Eligible students must also be open to coaching, genuinely want to participate in the program, and be willing to make the internship your priority, behind academics, for the 12 weeks of work.

Do you have more questions about internships? Check out our FAQ!

INTERN SPOTLIGHTS

Check out the story WBTW aired about the Key to Career program. The program is open to ALL high schools in our district, not just DCIT.

Program helps Darlington County students secure jobs before graduationDARLINGTON, SC (WBTW) Darlington County School District’s Institute of Technology partnered with local businesses to offer high school students paid internships. It’s a part of their Ke…

Watch to learn what our interns and mentors have to say about their experience with the Key to Career Program.

2025 Fall Cohort Internship Schedule

August 1st-September 5th -Work Readiness Skills Training for students at their high schools

September 11th & 12th - District Interview Days

October 2nd - Signing Day @ Mayo Conference Center, 2:30 PM

December 8th - Mandatory Final Evaluations Due

December 12th - Final day of Internship

2026 Spring Cohort Internship Schedule

January 6th - February 6th - Work Readiness Skills Training for students at their high schools

February 12th & 13th - District Interview Days

February 27th - Signing Day TBD

May 15th - Mandatory Final Evaluations Due

May 22nd - Final day of Internship

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