Internship Program
Program Description - Course Objectives:
To gain experience about the workforce
To become informed about possible career choices
To acquire the skills to learn how to be more independent
To prepare for the increased responsibilities students will face after high school
To gain an understanding of the challenges of the world of work
To gain an understanding of the need for organization and timeliness
The internship program connects business and education and unites classroom instruction with supervised internships outside of the school curriculum that allow students to better understand the relevant skills and knowledge needed for success in today's careers and higher education.
Why Intern?
Rapidly changing demographic and economic conditions and the speed at which technology has affected the world of work and our young people dictates the need to foster the cognitive and socio-emotional development of our students in a different way than years past. We seek to provide our students with opportunities to develop self-awareness, have exposure to experts in various career fields, and, in the case of the internship program, to be mentored by those individuals in their real-world setting.
Providing internships for students is an educational strategy that links school-based instruction with activities that have an impact and value beyond school. The students benefit from employer and community conversations that promote learning and provide access to future educational and career opportunities. By introducing students to “communities of practice” in their areas of career interest, and providing occasions for solving problems and demonstrating skills in authentic settings, work-based learning can motivate, reinforce and augment student learning in ways not available in traditional classroom instruction.
What does an internship look like?
CCR Remote Mentor-Led Internship (Must be 16 years old) (.25 credit per quarter):
Interns will either identify and secure an internship mentor or will work with one of the CCR Coordinators to do so. The student will spend 4 hours a week (in or outside of the school day) completing remote work determined by the student and mentor together. This may include an independent project approved by the mentor and/or supportive work for the mentor business. A minimum of 15 minutes a week must be spent in a video chat with the mentor. When that is not possible, a telephone conversation will suffice. Weekly reflections will be completed, and a timesheet must be kept by the student and signed off on by the parent or the mentor.
CCR Remote Independent Study Internship (11th and/or 12th grade) (.25 credit per quarter):
Interns will propose a path and plan for growth and development in their career interest area. This proposal must be submitted to Ms. Using or Mrs. Fawcett a minimum of two weeks before the start of a quarter.
Includes the following:
Written plan for flow of independent study.
Proposal of plan with one or both CCR coordinators.
Documentation of at least 20 hours of work per quarter.
Includes career professional outreach/career exploration research.
Completion and submission of a reflection demonstrating successful mastery of two 21st Century Skills/Employability Skills.
What are some of the benefits?
Many of our students earn letters of recommendation for college, summer employment, and even post-college employment opportunities from their mentors or from a network that they attain through their internship. Our interns have gained admittance into competitve post-secondary colleges and university programs and many feel it is their internship that provided them with that competitive edge.