Internships

The goal of the Internship Program this year was to place students in internship sites so the students could experience one of the student’s career interests. The 2010-2011 Internship Program provided approximately 50 student-career explorations, between two semesters, with hands-on career experiences. Students participating in the program are given the opportunity to discover whether they have the foundational skills necessary for success after graduation. They spend a minimum of 78 hours at their internship site and receive academic credit for their experiences. Internship placements this year not only strengthened students interest in the careers they wanted, but helped students decide on different career paths after experiencing a real work environment in their career exploration.

The importance of the Internship Program is best voiced by the students themselves:

“I have learned a significant amount about possible careers for myself because I learned I want to work directly with people.”

“My internship gave me more confidence.”

“I learned to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures.”

“I am proud of the new skills I have learned.”

2010-2011 Key Events and Milestones

• Some student internship sites resulted in great decision-making opportunities
• The program aligned the curriculum with the Literacy Plan for the district.
• Students will take career inventories to help them find internships that match their goals.
• Students will learn new technology skills using the MassCis website <www.massCis.intocareer.com>.
• Increased accountability regarding student’s internship requirements.
• Modified grading rubric and assessment tool for next year.
• Internships are paid and unpaid experiences.
• Using a new database system for tracking internship sites, but there is a need for more data entry time.
• Strengthened connections with the business community, by using a business packet that includes information needed to improve the business/education connection.
• Students involved in the Internship Program have commented that, “This internship helped me because I wanted to learn about the difference between going into education and psychology.” Other students stated that they really liked the field they interned in and plan on majoring in the same field.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to sincerely thank the individuals and businesses who sponsored an internship or work experience student. Without your help and support this program would not be possible.

Anna Jaques Hospital
Atria Merrimack Place
Bresnahan Elementary
Caldwell Construction
D’ Angelo’s Sub Shop
Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center
Kelley’s Service Station
Loretta’s Restaurant
Molin Upper
Elementary School
Muzzylane
Newburyport High School
Newburyport Lighting
Company
Newburyport Medical
Associates
Newburyport Youth Service
Parker River Wildlife Refuge
Port Healthcare
Port Media
Remax on the River
River Valley Charter School
Rupert A. Nock Middle School
Sidford Architecture
Stop and Shop
Strem Chemicals, Inc

Co-Chairs

Craig Childs, MacDonald & Pangione Insurance Agency
Michael Parent, Principal, Newburyport High School
Cheryl Zaino, School to Work Guidance Counselor, Newburyport High School