Employer-Linked Charter School Initiative

SENIOR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Submitted by: McKeel Academy of Technology, Lakeland, FL

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SUMMARY

All McKeel Academy seniors complete eight-week internships in which they work with a professional in a career of interest. At the conclusion of the internships, the school hosts a Senior Expo where students display projects about their experiences.

Reasons for Practice

The internship program was created to give students true exposure to a career. School staff had found that many students were graduating from high school, choosing majors in college, and going straight into careers.

Much of the time, however, they lacked insight into what such careers actually might offer. The school decided that an eight-week internship would provide students with a level of knowledge that would allow them to make informed decisions regarding their careers. Thus, if a student spends eight weeks in an internship and decides that a particular career is not desirable, he or she will not waste four years and considerable financial resources pursuing that path.

Length of Time in Effect

The internship program has been in existence since 1999.

FULL DESCRIPTION

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THE MCKEEL ACADEMY internship program is designed for high school seniors. Throughout both middle school and high school, McKeel students have opportunities to career shadow a business professional for a full day two times a year. At the beginning of their senior year, students apply for an internship in a field of interest to them. The school to work director then helps students locate a business that is willing to take an intern for eight weeks. At this point, each student sets up an interview and meets with his or her sponsor to determine a schedule for the eight-week period.

Since students attend their internships during school hours, each student is required to develop a plan that will allow him or her to make up work or attend other classes. Through this process, students gain insight into real-life planning and scheduling. This requirement helps to prepare them for the mind-set they will need after high school.

Students attend their internships for an average of eight hours a week for a period of eight weeks. During this time, they are exposed to the real-life activities associated with particular careers. In addition, they complete journals and time sheets that are turned in on a weekly basis. Since other school assignments are also given during internships, students are responsible for completing those as well.

At the end of their internships, students complete a multilayered project that is displayed during the two-day Senior Expo. Students presenting at the Expo dress professionally and explain their projects to the teachers, business partners, students, and community members who visit the event. All McKeel Academy Expos have been extremely successful and well- attended. A week after the Expo, the school hosts a breakfast for all the business sponsors and the students. At this time, the school thanks the sponsors and the students for their time and commitment.