At NUHS students have the opportunity to show how well they can use all that they have learned in their school career. They do so by completing an in-depth study of a career field through independent research and a hands-on experience working with a mentor at a business that reflects their interests and relates to their post-high school plan. This course serves as a transition in their lives as they shift from one focus (high school) to another (work, college an apprenticeship, etc.).
Over the course of the year students brainstorm, research, plan, create, implement, assess, exhibit and reflect on their work. Completing the Senior Internship requires creative, academic, professional, organizational, communication and problem solving skills.
Senior Internship is a requirement for graduation. More importantly, it is a student’s chance to turn all that they have done and learned into something that will be meaningful throughout the year and into their future. They will acquire new skills and practice others which will prepare them for college and/or future employment
What can a student expect to gain from their Senior Internship experience?
Senior Internship (SI) is a chance for a student to explore a career field that they are considering pursuing after graduation. The SI will combine a student’s interests, vision for their future, their academic skills and knowledge and will help them make professional connections. Essentially, they will be exploring how they will fit into the professional world.
Internships are designed to teach general work skills while exploring the aspects of a specific career. One part of the internship is to gain a thorough understanding of workplace skills such as colleague ethics, assertive communication skills, teamwork, finances, time management, resumes, etc. A second part of the internship is the research of a specific career field. Lastly, a student will report what they have learned in a professional presentation before a panel of adults.
What is required to be successful in SI?
· Establish a mentor relationship
· Complete a minimum of 60 hours as a volunteer intern at a mentor's business.
· Attend SI class to learn new business skills, meet with an advisor, hear guest speakers and share what you are learning.
· Keep a journal of your experiences.
· Develop a portfolio of your work.
· Write a reflective essay and a research paper.
· Develop a 5 year plan.
· Present your experience to a panel of community members, school personnel and peers.
The SI experience is broken down into four main units:
- Forming a focus: In this stage, a student will work with his/her advisor to explore areas of interests, life dreams and aspirations, who they are and what they are passionate about in order to help them select a career focus that will hold their interest all year (and hopefully beyond.)
- The action: This will be the bulk of the SI experience when a student finds a mentor, begins their internship hours, researches and learns in the classroom and begins developing a portfolio.
- Reflection and Planning: In this stage students will look back on what they have done and learned, how they have grown and changed, and how their experience has helped them make choices for their future. They will begin to form ideas to share in their final presentation. They will develop a detailed five-year plan.
- Sharing What You Have Learned: In the final stage students will organize their reflections into a professional presentation which they will present to a panel.