Frequently Asked Questions

As a Career Experience Host, you provide students with an opportunity to learn about your business or organization by engaging them in hands-on experiences at your workplace. Whenever possible, hosts are encouraged to welcome two or more students to work alongside staff members and explore your sector.

Student assignments should focus on developing transferable skills and reflect the general expectations you hold for your employees. The Summer RISE experience is designed to enhance participants’ awareness of what it takes to be career-ready. Please offer constructive feedback that encourages initiative, teamwork, and self-confidence as students complete their assigned tasks.

Once your host registration is complete, you will receive additional details through a Host Orientation and Summer RISE resource materials. 

To sign up as a host, visit the MCPS Summer RISE website and complete the registration form for Summer RISE 2026. Before submitting your registration, please review the Host Agreement, which can also be found on the website. Once submitted, the Summer RISE team will review your registration for approval.

Yes. Companies and organizations may host students at multiple sites. Each participating site must complete a host registration and attend a required host orientation session. If the same opportunity will be offered at multiple locations, please contact Davida Gurstelle at Davida_Gurstelle@mcpsmd.org or 240-740-5599 for guidance.

Students are matched to host sites based on their career interests, location preferences, travel mode, and the requirements or preferences of the host organization, including factors such as age, vaccinations, and language abilities. Summer RISE aims to create meaningful, career-aligned experiences, so careful consideration is given to ensure that students are placed where they can gain the most relevant skills and exposure.

We recommend that hosts have a minimum of two students at their site, as this helps make managing the experience easier. There is no maximum number—some of our hosts accommodate between 25 and 100 students. Larger groups, however, require more structure and planning to ensure smooth scheduling and supervision.

Summer RISE 2026 will run from June 22 to July 24. Career Experience Hosts must be prepared to offer a minimum of 50 hours of career experience for their students during the five-week program. Hosts are not required to have students onsite every week but must ensure that each student completes the full 50 hours. 

Each organization works directly with its students to determine individual schedules. Students may not work:

• More than 8 hours per day

• More than 40 hours per week

• Fewer than 50 hours total over the 5-week period

• more than five continuous hours without a 30-minute break

•  before 7:00 a.m. or end after 6:00 p.m.
  
  

At the end of the program, hosts will validate that each student has completed the minimum of 50 hours.

Leading up to the program, all new hosts will attend a Host Orientation session. This session provides an overview of the program, outlines expectations, and shares best practices and strategies for successful implementation. In addition to the orientation, Davida Gurstelle and an assigned Teacher Liaison will serve as points of contact throughout the five-week program to support hosts and student participants. The Teacher Liaison works closely with both hosts and students to address concerns, provide guidance, and highlight student experiences at the site. Hosts will be given the name and contact information of your Teacher Liaison prior to the start of the program. Moreover, program staff will be available by email and phone throughout the registration process and during the program.

During the program, you can share feedback by emailing Davida Gurstelle at Davida_Gurstelle@mcpsmd.org. At the end of the program, hosts and students will also receive a brief Summer RISE survey to provide feedback that supports continuous program improvement.

To conclude the five-week Career Experience, the Summer RISE program holds a celebration for students, Career Experience Hosts, sponsors, and partners. Students are recognized by Summer RISE and MCPS for their successful completion of the program, and hosts and sponsors are also acknowledged for their contributions. The Closing Ceremony event is a fun and engaging way to celebrate everyone’s efforts and achievements. In addition, the logos of the companies/organizations are posted on the Summer RISE website to recognize their participation.

Yes. Sponsors are local businesses or organizations that make financial or in-kind contributions to support Summer RISE. Donations are managed by the MCPS Educational Foundation, a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions may be tax-deductible.

To donate online, visit the MCPS Educational Foundation website and note that your contribution supports Summer RISE.

Checks may also be mailed to:
MCPS Educational Foundation
Attn: Summer RISE
P.O. Box 1007
Rockville, MD 20849

Donations help fund the program and the closing celebration.

There may be opportunities to offer internship experiences through Summer RISE, where students gain hands-on, career-related experience and develop transferable skills. Summer RISE internships are structured for approximately 75 hours over the five-week program and provide an excellent way to identify students who may be a good fit for longer-term internships. 

If you are interested in offering an internship during the school year, students can participate in opportunities ranging from 75 to 225 hours. To explore options and learn more, visit the MCPS Work-Based Learning website.

Students who complete an internship will receive credit towards graduation.