Academic Internships

STAFF

Mrs. Diana Kirtley, Internship Coordinator
240-497-6328
Fax: 240-497-6396

About the Internship Program
What are students expected to do in an internship?
What is expected of sponsors?
Who should apply for an academic internship?
How to apply for an academic internship
Career Fields
Commonly Asked Questions
Businesses Offering Internships

Internship Program Fall Syllabus
Internship Program Spring Syllabus
Internship 2008 Application Packet (pdf)
Student Internship Weekly Time Sheet (pdf)
2005-2006 Internship News
 

B-CC Partnership Program: Learning through Involvement Beyond the Classroom
 

Special Internship Programs:
Maryland General Assembly Student Page Program
Superintendent's Leadership Program
Summer Internship Opportunities

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

B-CC has an extensive internship program. An academic internship enables a student to:

• Acquire hands-on experience in a field of potential interest
• Determine whether a career is compatible with his/her interests, skills, and values
• Work with adults in a professional environment and develop working relationships
• Apply academic learning to practical situation and out-of-school experiences to classroom activities
• Develop responsible and productive work habits
• Become aware of opportunities that exist in a career field and the necessary educational background needed to pursue that career

The program lasts an entire academic term (18 weeks), or preferably, two terms, and may necessitate longer hours than a student would ordinarily spend in the classroom. Successful completion of the semester will earn 1/2 academic (elective) credit.

WHAT ARE STUDENTS EXPECTED TO DO IN AN INTERNSHIP?

• Leave school at the end of 5th or 6th period and report to employer.
• Work a minimum of 75 hours per semester (about 5 hours per week) for a one-period internship, or 150 hours per semester (about 10 hours per week) for a two-period internship; or 225 hours (about 15 hours per week) for a three-period internship.
• Arrange transportation to and from the intern site.
• Demonstrate good attendance, cooperativeness, industriousness, and willingness to take the initiative when appropriate. They must also have a neat personal appearance, dress appropriately for the workplace, and learn proper business etiquette and professionalism.
• Attend scheduled group seminars with other interns.
• Write weekly email messages to the Internship Coordinator concerning events/problems/questions regarding the internship.
• Complete a project to be determined by the Internship Coordinator at the end of each quarter.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF SPONSORS?

• Provide daily supervision or designate someone to do so.
• Verify student attendance by signing a weekly timesheet provided by the student.
• Evaluate the intern's and the program's effectiveness at the end of each nine-week quarter.

WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR AN ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP?

Juniors or seniors with:

• Excellent school attendance
• Strong academic record
• Maturity to make the commitment for an academic year
• Interest in learning through hands-on experience
• Willingness to meet the requirements of the program

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP

1. Obtain application forms from Ms. Kirtley in B-306, or from your Guidance Counselor, or download the forms here (pdf).

2. Return to Ms. Kirtley the following:

• Application/parental permission
• Emergency accident information
• "Application to Participate in an Activity Away From School," MCPS Form 560-31
• Faculty recommendation, completed by a teacher of your choosing
• Your resume, typed or word-processed.

3. Meet with Ms. Kirtley to discuss internship interests, review resume, and set interview dates.

For internships in the academic year 2007-2008, application due date is January 18, 2007. Questions? Please call or email Ms. Kirtley.

POSSIBLE CAREER FIELDS

Scientific research
Professional writing and editing
Arts management
Theater
Education
Hotel management
Financial management
Graphic arts
Advertising, marketing
Engineering
Crime investigation
Business
Nursing
Government
Architecture
Technology
Working with the elderly
Non-profit organizations

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. How do I choose my internship?
A. The student will confer with the Internship Coordinator to identify areas of interest. Both the student and the coordinator will network with friends, family, and business associates. Together they work to obtain a suitable placement.

Q. If I need a car to get to my internship, will I be assured of a school parking permit?
A. Yes, provided you remember to re-apply each semester.

Q. If I earn extra hours above the basic requirements, can these hours be applied to Student Service Learning hours?
A. Yes, provided you are working for a non-profit organization.

Q. Can I be paid for my work in an internship?
A. Nearly all internships are done on a volunteer basis as the main benefit to the student is the experience gained and connections made. Occasionally, an employer will offer a salary to an intern, or hire the intern to work during the summer.

Fall 2006 INTERNSHIP BUSINESS SPONSORS

We owe a debt of gratitude to the following businesses, government agencies, and other organizations that have taken our interns and will provide mentors throughout the Fall 2006 semester:

American Film Institute
Arena Stage
Aveda Lifestyle Store, Spa and Salon
Benson Animal Hospital
Bethesda Pet Shop
Bulman, Dunie, Burke & Feld, Attorneys-at-Law
Capitol Orthopedics & Rehabilitation, LLC
Centro Italian Restaurant
Chevy Chase Bank
Children in the Shoe Daycare
Martha T. Cole, M.D.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
D. C. Dance Collective
Families Foremost Center
Folger Shakespeare Library
Geimer, Erlich & Gross, CPA
Goddard Space Flight Center
Interior Impressions
Joy of Motion
Lerch, Early & Brewer, Attorneys-at-Law
Little Acorn Daycare Center
Long and Foster Realty
Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy
Monocacy Equine Veterinary Associates
Montgomery County Police Department
Montgomery County Students Automotive & Construction Trades Foundation
National Building Museum
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Standards & Technology
National Naval Medical Center
Naval Medical Research Center
Rock Creek Forest Elementary School
Rosemary Hills Elementary School
Round House Theatre
State’s Attorney’s Office of Montgomery County
Suburban Hospital
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Office of Congressman Chris Van Hollen
Video Action; Ward & Klein, Attorneys-at-Law
Washington Woman/Washington Parent Magazines.

2005-2006 INTERNSHIP NEWS

Internship Luncheon Celebrates the Completion of Another Successful Year

On May 22, 2006, B-CC’s 56 spring interns hosted an appreciation luncheon for their community supervisors. Mistress of Ceremonies Emily Freilich (Suburban Hospital) introduced the speakers who included Sean Bulson, Principal, Greg Levy (Bethesda Students Care), Lisa Mann (CBS), and Diana Kirtley, Internship Coordinator. Additionally, each intern introduced his/her respective sponsor to the group and publicly thanked each mentor for his/her patience and guidance throughout the internship period.

Without the generosity of the many sponsors who worked with our students throughout the year, our students would not be able to benefit from the myriad of internship opportunities offered through B-CC’s Internship Program. In addition to recognizing and thanking our community sponsors, a special thanks also goes to PTSA member Ms. Susan Fine for her help with planning and organizing the luncheon, as well as printing name tags, media specialist Mr. Paul Ormsby for his expertise in providing music and media services for the event, B-CC alum, Mr. Tracy Callahan, owner and operator of Bethesda Florist, for the lovely spring floral centerpieces, and to Building and Cafeteria Services for their tireless support in the event.

2004-2005 INTERNSHIP NEWS

Internship Program Ends Successful Year

Once again, the nearly 60 students who have participated in the internship program during the spring semester were hosts to their supervisors at a lunch held on May 24, 2005. Mistress of Ceremonies Abby Locke (Bethesda Elementary School) introduced the speakers who included Sean Bulson, Principal, Chelsea Davis (Suburban Hospital), Austin Mayster (AFTRA SAG) and Vicky Wood, retiring internship coordinator. Ms. Wood also introduced Diana Kirtley, B-CC English teacher, who will be taking over the internship position.

A hearty thank you is extended to all the supervisors who worked with our students this year. Special thanks also to parent Francie Brady and media specialist Paul Ormsby for their help with the lunch, and to Joyce Fisher, Attendance Secretary, for designing and producing the handsome certificates given to the supervisors.

Employees of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, headquartered across the street from the school, were also honored this year for their service to the school. Over 30 CPSC employees have acted as internship supervisors, mentors, or tutors. They were feted at a breakfast and presented with B-CC Battling Barons T-shirts. (See photo below.)

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