INTERNSHIP TEAM

Senior internship program 2026

The Senior Internship Program is an opportunity for students to gain real-world job experience before graduation. Through this program, you will:

Build valuable job skills
Develop interpersonal and professional communication skills
Give back to your community through meaningful work

Instead of attending a full school day, you will spend approximately 100 hours (20 hours per week) at your internship site.

Exceptions for AP & Dual Enrollment Students
Students enrolled in AP or Dual Enrollment (DE) classes will have reduced internship hour requirements as outlined below. To ensure equity, no senior student will be permitted to switch their AP or DE class time to accommodate their internship schedule. Students are responsible for coordinating their availability directly with their internship mentors.

Internship Hour Requirements:

0 AP/DE Courses: 100 hours
1 AP/DE Course: 80 hours
2 AP/DE Courses: 60 hours
3 AP/DE Courses: 40 hours
4 AP/DE Courses: 20 hours

eligibility

To participate in the Senior Internship Program, students must meet the following requirements:

Grades: Maintain an average of C- or better in all classes for Q1, Q2, Q3, including your midterm (which counts for 10%). If your grade falls below this requirement, you must remain in that class and cannot participate in the internship.
AP Students: Must remain in their AP course until the AP exam. Students cannot switch AP class times due to an internship.
Attendance: You may not have more than 5 unexcused absences in any class. Note: Two tardies = one absence (no exceptions).
No Buy Back Plans: There are no attendance buy back or attendance credit recovery options for Quarter 3.

Real Experiences, Real Impact

Employer Testimonials

“Reading students are far more prepared for these internships and carry themselves better in our clinics than any other high school we've worked with. This program is essential—it shows students what a real career looks like day-to-day.”
— Beth Ann Hayes, Fitzgerald Physical Therapy

“One of our interns, Mary Kate, was such a superstar that our Woburn office asked to hang her project poster permanently. That says it all.”
— Beth Ann Hayes, Fitzgerald Physical Therapy

“Our former intern, Dylin, said her experience gave her the confidence to move to campus and thrive at Salem State. That’s the kind of impact this program has.”
— Erica Maillet, Internship Supervisor

Parent/Guardian Reflections

“This program helped prepare Brandon not only for college, but for life. He developed a strong work ethic, practical skills, and gained a sense of responsibility—things you can’t always teach in a classroom.”
— Michelle, Parent

“Michael is up at 6:30, home by 4:30, and learning what it means to work hard and still have the discipline for the things he loves. He even opened a savings account! This experience has been amazing for him.”
— Alison, Parent

Real-World Readiness and Career Exploration

“The opportunity to work in a professional environment with relatable mentors helped my son explore career interests in a hands-on way—something that’s invaluable for an 18-year-old.”
— Michelle, Parent

“Not every high school offers this kind of real-world opportunity. RMHS’s investment in their students truly shows.”
— Michelle, Parent

Moments That Matter

“Jamal’s internship at Coolidge Middle School made a lasting impact on my son, who has Social Communication Disorder. Jamal’s kindness and care helped my child feel seen and supported—and he still has the note Jamal gave him hanging in his room.”
— Parent of a Coolidge Middle School student

Quantitative Results- Student Feedback

94% of students rated their experience 9-10/10 (average: 9.2/10)
95% said internships helped prepare them for life after high school
97% believe internship programs are good for students to get real-world experience

Quantitative Results- Mentor Feedback

100% Mentor Satisfaction: Every mentor would recommend their intern for future opportunities
95% of interns were rated as "fully prepared" from day one
Zero negative feedback on intern professionalism or work ethic
All Interns completed 100+ hours of real-world professional experience

Key Student Strengths Demonstrated

Relationship Building: Strong connections with students, patients, and colleagues
Initiative & Leadership: Took responsibility independently and led projects
Adaptability: Seamlessly integrated into diverse professional environments
Professionalism: Demonstrated maturity, punctuality, and strong work ethic

Student Voice — What Made the Difference?

Real-World Learning

“It was a lot more free and self-paced... This is a bite size introduction to the work force and overall a great experience.”
“It was much more hands-on and active... they gave me the opportunity to learn a new skill set.”

Skill Development

“I learned good communication, collaboration, adaptability, professionalism, and initiative skills.”
“Learning during my internship was more hands-on and practical than in the traditional classroom. I improved my English, digital skills, and time management by doing real work and solving real problems.”

Career Clarity

“I learned so much more about the career I am pursuing during my internship when I wouldn't get this opportunity during the normal school day.”
“I also got offered a job for the summer here so I was very grateful for this experience.”

Bottom Line

“Any internship will absolutely prepare you for the real world. Learning social skills and real world experiences are just as important as learning material within school. When you pair the two together, you get students ready for life after high school.”

Real-World Results

Multiple students received job offers from their internship sites
Students solved actual business problems and created lasting value
Interns took on leadership roles, including training other employees
Several mentors specifically requested to host future interns

important dates

October 1st: Internship Meeting
October 10th: Internship Fair
October 13th - 31st: Interviews
November 30th: Internship Applications Due
April 6th - 8th: Internship Bootcamp
April 9th: First day of Internships
May 15th: Internship Showcase

finding your internship

RMHS is not responsible for finding your internship site
We are here to guide you and help you brainstorm where you would like to intern
Tap into your social networks!!
Get out into the community and market yourself

internship fair

During lunch on Friday, October 10, representatives from local organizations and businesses will be here at RMHS!

Take this opportunity to:

Walk around and explore internship opportunities
Talk to different businesses and community partners
Ask questions and learn more about possible placements

how to prepare for the internship fair

Get the most out of your time at the fair by coming prepared!

Practice Your Elevator Pitch – Be ready to introduce yourself:
Who are you? What are you interested in? What do you want to do in the future?
Dress Appropriately & Professionally
Ask Questions – Show curiosity and interest in each organization.
Take Business Cards – Collect contact information for follow-up.
Send Follow-Up Emails – A thank-you note makes a strong impression.
Bring Your Resume – Highlight your skills, experiences, and interests.
Be Yourself – Confidence and authenticity go a long way!
Practice with a Partner – Run through your elevator pitch with a classmate.

Sample Elevator Pitch:
“Hi, my name is __________ and I’m a Senior at Reading Memorial High School. I am interested in __________ as a possible career path. I enjoy __________ in my free time. One skill/attribute I think I could bring to an internship with your company is __________. One thing I hope to get out of my senior year internship is __________.”

Sample Questions to Ask Employers:

What type of work does your business do?
What do you like about your job?
How do you see an intern contributing to your work?
What types of projects would an intern work on?
What skills could I develop through an internship at your company?
How could I best prepare for an internship with your organization?

internship application

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Application Deadline: November 30, 2025

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