Junior Parent Internship Information
Why internships?
Internship definition: An internship is a temporary position with an emphasis on on-the-job training rather than merely employment.
Through internships, students receive “real world” training that may provide a deeper understanding of a particular career, combining the power of this real-world learning with academic preparation centered around developing not only habits for employment but, more importantly, habits of self.
Having had almost three years of developing 21st century skills at Animas High (i.e., communication, collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking), the LINK Internship is the springboard to helping students exercise these skills in the real world. Thus, they learn about specific careers, learn how they relate to others, and, ultimately learn that they have the beginnings of important skill sets that should be fostered.
Internship definition: An internship is a temporary position with an emphasis on on-the-job training rather than merely employment.
Through internships, students receive “real world” training that may provide a deeper understanding of a particular career, combining the power of this real-world learning with academic preparation centered around developing not only habits for employment but, more importantly, habits of self.
Having had almost three years of developing 21st century skills at Animas High (i.e., communication, collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking), the LINK Internship is the springboard to helping students exercise these skills in the real world. Thus, they learn about specific careers, learn how they relate to others, and, ultimately learn that they have the beginnings of important skill sets that should be fostered.
Details
Who: All AHS juniors
What: 30-40 hours per week as an intern
When: Three weeks towards the end of their junior year
Where: The business or organization of the student's choosing
Why: Explore personal skills and career interests in the professional world
How: One to one student mentor ratio preferred
Who: All AHS juniors
What: 30-40 hours per week as an intern
When: Three weeks towards the end of their junior year
Where: The business or organization of the student's choosing
Why: Explore personal skills and career interests in the professional world
How: One to one student mentor ratio preferred
LINK Internship is a credit bearing course and a graduation requirement
In order to receive the required credits on their transcript, students need to meet the following requirements:
For their Fall LINK credit:
For their Spring LINK credit:
In order to receive the required credits on their transcript, students need to meet the following requirements:
For their Fall LINK credit:
- Complete two informational interviews with potential internship sites
- Submit their updated resume
For their Spring LINK credit:
- Match with an approved mentor
- Complete 30-40 hours a week in internship (90 hours minimum)
- Complete a LINK Internship Project: this is their opportunity to give back to the business or organization while also getting the experience of working independently on something that matters. Projects vary drastically depending on the type of internship and should be a priority of the mentor and student to determine early on in the internship.
- Complete Internship DP Updates
- Pass June tPOL, with LINK, career and college focus
How can parents support their students in their LINK Internship?
BEFORE the internship
- Familiarize yourself with the LINK Student and Parent Handbook [click here]. Please be sure you understand the requirements and expectations in order to best be able to support your student.
- Talk to your student! Check in with your student about their internship ideas, the steps that they have been taking to explore those ideas and potentially make them a reality, and ask where they would like support from you.
- Let them do the leg work. They are being supported here at the school and pushed to independently and professionally reach out to potential mentors.
- Use your connections. If you have friends, family, and coworkers who are professionals in the field of your student's interests, share their contact information with your student!
- Don’t settle. The LINK Internship is about your student exploring their interests, discovering their skills, and making a difference. This is the time when you should push your student to expand their horizons, looking at careers and opportunities outside of what they know. Don’t settle for the convenient or use the internship time period purely for family travel and visits. The LINK Internship requires extra work for many families (driving, travel costs, waiting) but it is worth it!
DURING the internship
AFTER the internship
- They will be tired. Let them be tired.… their brains are working hard as they process their place in the professional world
- Listen but don’t let them give excuses. Internships are often the closest to a “rite of passage” that students may experience. They are moving from young teen to young adult. Know that this struggle is what leads to growth.
- Require professionalism. It is on the student to get to from their internship on time, to know when to call in sick or not, to be prepared with their lunch. They need to develop flexibility and responsibility. This is their chance.
AFTER the internship
- Notice the difference. Your student may have a new concepts about the real world. Feel free to hold them to these real world adult standards as they begin senior year and the college application/post high school decision making process!
- Debrief. Discuss what went well, where they struggled, and where they overcame difficulties. What did they learn about themselves moving forward? How has this experience changed their ideas and/or goals?
- Celebrate. This is a milestone that few young people in our society have. Encourage them to stay in touch with their connections and to follow up with “thank you’s” to mentors and associates. Mentors and other internship connections are often lead to future job possibilities and recommendations!
For more information about LINK contact Work-Based Learning Coordinator Marie Kehm
at marie@BusinessEducationConnection.org or (970) 828-2701
at marie@BusinessEducationConnection.org or (970) 828-2701
