CHS Internship Program

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    What is the Internship Program?

    The Internship Program is designed to provide an opportunity for a student to obtain first hand knowledge of a career or field of study. Students have an opportunity to explore and clarify personal career interests and link school to work or areas of future study. They gain valuable work experience, apply academic learning to real world situations and earn elective credit toward their high school diploma.

     

    Who can be an intern?

      – A student going into their senior year with a solid 2.5 un weighted GPA or better.

      – Excellent record of school attendance

      – Positive attitude about leaning

      – Serious desire to learn more about a career field

      – All required credits for graduation earned with the exception of English and Math. Other classes can be taken.

      – Availability to work the 8-15 hours per week required at the internship site.

      – Transportation to and from the internship site

      – Recommendation from two teachers 

       

       What types of internships are there?

    There are three types of internships at Clarksburg. All have different course codes to register.

     

    • General: Outside the Building (double or triple periods) in placements exploring career interests. These require a full application packet submitted to the Internship Coordinator.
    • Program Completer: Outside the Building: For students who have completed specific coursework toward graduation requirements in a area of study such as Advanced Child Development, Network Operations, Horticulture, or the Academy of Health Professionals, and internship is a culminating experience. These are coordinated by either the departments of the course of study or Ms. Costlow.
    • In School (one period - these are limited within CHS) only in the areas of Yearbook, Newspaper, Net Ops/Web development, Theatre, Student Government Officer, Science and World Languages. These limited internships require written approval from the teacher and the Internship Coordinator and are subject to all course expectations as the double and triple internships above.  

    All internships are awarded .5 elective credits for each period taken. For example a triple (3) period internship offers a total of 1.5 credits per semester taken.

     

    When can students apply for internships?

    Students are eligible for internships during their senior year. They apply for internships in the spring of their junior year. They may apply for triple or double out-of-school internships or single period in-school internships.

    Until they have a confirmed internship, it is recommended they sign up for classes and update their schedule at a later time.

    Internships outside of the building are usually scheduled the last periods of the school day (6,7,8) or less commonly, the first periods of the school day (1,2,3). Internships can be paid or unpaid, with unpaid being the most common. 

     

     For each period of internship the student must complete 75 hours of work during the semester. 

    • 1 internship period = 75 hours (Internship A/B #7813/7816)
    • 2 internship periods = 150 hours (Internship A/B DP #7818/7819)
    • 3 internship periods = 225 hours (Internship A/B TP #7822/7823)

    What Should Students Consider When Planning For An Internship?

    • How many periods can I devote to an internship?
    • What extracurricular activities might conflict with my internship schedule?
    • Can I maintain an excellent attendance record at school and the workplace?
    • Am I expecting to work hard and demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills?
    • Am I self-disciplined enough to meet project deadlines, complete paperwork, follow procedures, communicate with the intern coordinator, and attend scheduled meetings?
    • Can I provide my own transportation to the internship site? Interns must assume the expense of commuting and parking.

     Locating the Internship Site:

    The best internship experiences are those which the students have actively secured. This requires that each prospective intern actively participates in the search for a work location.

     

    A student can interview family, friends, and other contacts about career realities and work site opportunities. Prospective interns must research and seek out opportunities for placement as would be done in the university setting.

     

    A formal resume which is part of the application packet, must be submitted - electronically is preferred- to the coordinator before any placement is approved. The resume will be carried to the interview and given to the prospective employer just as in a job interview. The coordinator will assist with placement ONLY after the intern has demonstrated independent placement search strategies. Securing a placement often takes several weeks to complete.

    The following must be considered when securing an internship site:

    • Work permits are often required for interns under 18 years old. Permits are available through a link on the counseling office website.
    • Internships may not be primarily clerical positions.
    • Some sites require interns to be American citizens and/or over 16 years old.
    • The intern must be supervised by an adult at all times and the location must have at least two adult employees.
    • The site must be a safe work environment and may not be in a private home.
    • Interns may NOT routinely drive as part of the job, open or close the business without adult supervision, transport money, perform work that requires strenuous lifting, working in or around motor vehicles or with heavy equipment.

    In order to participate in the Internship Program, students must:

    • Attend four Student Information Meetings which are scheduled by Ms. Costlow mid-January when class registration begins. Listen to morning announcements or see Ms. Costlow in room 213 to get the dates.
    • Complete the application packet during spring class registration of their Junior year. 
    • Take an active role in securing their internship placement by having an idea of places of interest and learning about them by researching online or through a contact. 
    • Work independently and with the internship coordinator to have an internship placement by July 1 for the upcoming school year. The final approval of the placement rests with the internship coordinator.
    • Must have no financial obligations. 
    • Must have their own transportation. 
    • Must have two teacher recommendations (forms included in application packet)
    • Must be in good academic standing. Unweighted GPA of 2.5 or better and a record of good attendance at school.

    What are the Internship Course requirements?

    Interns will be evaluated by the school coordinator using a variety of instruments.

    The course grade is based on the following:

    • coordinator site visit
    • completed intern assignments
      (e.g. weekly written reflections, student may be asked to make a presentation to other CHS interns about their internship experience.)
    • logging the number of hours completed at the workplace (required minimum must be met to receive credit)
    • evaluation by mentor/site supervisor
    • attendance at seminars periodically throughout the semester.

     

    How do I apply for an Internship ?

    To begin the application process, students can visit the For Prospective Students section of this webpage, attend the information sessions, download the Internship Application Packet and return the completed forms to Ms Costlow, Room 213, by end of March of their Junior year.