Internships/Apprenticeships
Internship vs. Apprenticeship (Quick Links)
Internship
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED HERE:
Internship, Job Shadows, Volunteer Listing embedded here
An internship is a short-term, temporary work experience that provides students or individuals with practical, hands-on exposure to a specific industry, field, or profession. Internships are typically taken by students or recent graduates and are designed to offer a glimpse into the working world, allowing them to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting.
Internships typically provide participants with valuable work experience, networking opportunities, and a better understanding of their chosen career path. While they may lead to job offers, this is not the primary goal of an internship.
An apprenticeship is a long-term, formal training program that combines on-the-job learning with classroom instruction. It is a structured approach to preparing individuals for skilled trades or specific occupations. Apprenticeships are typically found in industries like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and the skilled trades.
Apprenticeships lead to recognized qualifications or certifications in a particular trade or occupation. They are designed to prepare individuals for a specific career path, and successful apprentices often have the opportunity to secure full-time employment in their chosen field upon completion.
Apprenticeships are longer than internships, highly structured, and focused on developing specific skills and qualifications in a particular trade or occupation, with a strong emphasis on paid, on-the-job training.
Internships
What is an Internship?
An Internship represents a highly structured, time-bound Career Preparation program wherein students are placed at a worksite, actively participating in and observing work processes.
Internships enable students to gain practical experience by performing real tasks and actively engaging in workplace activities. They might involve collaborative team projects, individual assignments, or exposure to various departments and job roles.
Continuing and expanding our Internship program, along with other work-based learning activities, relies on fostering positive relationships with the employers who generously offer these opportunities. These employers should be considered esteemed partners and valued contributors, necessitating regular communication to address any evolving participation requirements.
Internships are designed to:
Facilitate hands-on experience within a chosen field of interest.
Deliver tangible benefits to the employer through meaningful contributions.
Expose students to diverse career opportunities and job roles within the industry.
Foster skill development, practice, and demonstration of employability skills.
Expand occupational knowledge and understanding.
Highlight the educational pathways required for success in the industry.
Internships are structured to:
Boost workplace knowledge and career insight.
Cultivate the essential skills needed for particular occupations.
Introduce students to a broad array of workplace tasks and functions.
Reinforce core academic principles while fostering technical and occupational skill growth.
Internships are supported by:
Classroom-based student readiness. Internship structuring in collaboration with the employer.
Employer host orientation and continuous support.
Regular reflection opportunities, including verbal and written assessments.
Employer evaluation of skill development.
Internships are connected to:
Classroom instruction.
Personalized/individual career development and training plans (ICAP).
A progression of educational, training, and workplace engagements.
Subsequent steps for the student's career journey.
Internships Hours:
Internships take place for a minimum of 120+ hours (Kauffman expectation) with more hours being optimal and/or 180+ hours if students are seeking a high school credit within the career internship course.
Internships may be paid or unpaid, depending on whether the student is performing productive work for the employer and other factors.
NKC Schools
Internship Opportunities/Programming
Career Internship Course
(Requires 180 hours = .5 credit/per semester. This also includes an online work component that focuses on essential workplace skills.)
Career Internship online class will be comprised of a combination of paid/or unpaid work, online assignments, an enhanced career experience at their current workplace, or a willingness to experience job shadows or an internship in a potential career. This class should be targeted to SENIOR students who:
Students will need to be enrolled into the course within the first 3 weeks of the semester. Check with your counselor regarding availability.
Have 1 to 2 open blocks in their schedule (1 block equates to working/interning 180 hours per semester)
Career Internship = .5 credit/per semester = 180 hours of internship, plus an online work component – focused on essential workplace skills, which include POG skills, and exploring career internship.
Students are required to submit proof of internship and/or paid work.
Already have a job or internship
Are in the process of obtaining a job or internship
Have their own transportation
Career Internship is a great way to help students maintain a full-time schedule while having supervised and engaging career experiences to help prepare them for what comes next.
Independent Student (Self- Directed) Opportunities
Requires 120+ hours in completion. Opportunities embedded below will be the following:
This opportunity is self-directed that empowers students to take the lead in seizing opportunities and fostering connections within their community.
Require a student to commit to 120+ or more hours for an experience.
Internship, Job Shadows, Volunteer Listing embedded here
Apprenticeship Listing embedded here
If you have any questions, please be sure to connect with your high school college and career facilitator. Contact information provided here.
Off-Campus Programming
Hours varies based upon off-campus program.
Northland Caps
Early College Academy
Automotive Tech
Northland Career Center
Full details provided here on our district page.
Gold Medallion
(Requires 40 hours. 40 hour completion will not qualify for district internship connections/opportunities. Student will need to work with Gold Medallion coordinator to fulfill this requirement.)
Gold Medallion Programming details provided here on our district page.
Summer Internship Opportunities
As Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities grow in our College and Career Pathways, the District WBL Team is committed to helping students find SUMMER internships. Juniors and Seniors will be encouraged to attend the College and Career Hiring/Internship Fair scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Reach out to your high school's college and career facilitator for complete details.
Visit this page regularly for updates on self-directed opportunities throughout the school year, and don't forget to explore our employment page. Stay informed!
Materials & Printable Resources
For Employers:
For Teachers and High School Facilitators:
For Students:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do students have to come to school?
Career Internship class students will not be required to physically come to school during their designated class time, as long as they are meeting the required performance standards of online classes to be off campus.
Independent Internship occurs after school hours. Students will attend according to their regular full daily schedule.
Gold Medallion experience will be schedule during course scheduling with counselor/Gold Medallion Coordinator.
How does the instructor know the student is participating in the class or experience?
Career Internship Students: Expected to submit, at minimum monthly, copies of pay checks or hours documentation. Students will schedule periodic visits through the semester for the CI instructor to visit with supervisor and student at the experience site. Employer & instructor evaluative feedback will be factored into final grade.
Gold Medallion Students: Will work with Gold Medallion coordinator to schedule and align course accordingly.
Independent Internship: Students will have to be either enrolled in the Career Internship course and/or complete this opportunity after school/weekends.
What are the benefits to students for these opportunities?
Career Internship – an excellent way to earn school credit while working, opportunities for additional experiences in careers they are interested.
Independent Internship – valuable hands on experience to learn more about a particular career field and bolster the resume'.
Gold Medallion- Students have the opportunity to add to their resume' as well as earn the Gold Medallion Diploma upon graduation.
How does a student find the internship?
Career Internship- students should have jobs, but if they are interested in having an internship, student will work with their Career Internship teacher for these connections.
Independent Internship- Students will need to continually check listing here as well as continue to check with their college and career facilitator.
Gold Medallion - Students will need to work with their Gold Medallion Coordinator.
What qualifies or disqualifies a student?
Students are expected to follow all NKCS guidelines and any workplace/internship guidelines as set forth by the business or organization. Discipline, attendance, and maintaining satisfactory progress towards graduation must be maintained.
Is there a set number of hours students must complete?
Career Internship: 180 hours/.5 credit (Students can earn 2.0 credits of internship per school year.)
Independent Internship: Will be established by business/organization and student. (No school credit given for this experience.) Please note: To qualify as a Kauffman Intern within a student's Market Value Asset (MVA) and Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunity in powerschool, students will need to complete at least 120+ hours.
Gold Medallion: Has its own requirement with 40 hours, but does not qualify for the 120 hours required by Kauffman and 180 for high school credit. Please check with your Gold Medallion coordinator for full details.
How will students get there?
Student provided transportation, unless extenuating individual circumstances are present.