Internship Program

Program Basics

Basically, a student internship is a paid or unpaid, career-focused experience during which a young person becomes directly involved for a defined period of time in business, government, industry, research, or social service. This experience...

• complements the student's career goals and is managed under supervision
• is an opportunity for a student to attain first-hand knowledge about a career or field of study
• provides an opportunity for a student to apply the skills obtained in school to real work experiences while learning additional skills associated with the workplace
• allows students to experience options they may not have considered and make thoughtful decisions about continued education or full-time work.

Thousands of interns have recieved experience in numerous career fields, and their evaluations of the experience have been overwhelmingly positive.

Program Goals

Career development in Montgomery County Public Schools strives to link school activities with workplace experiences. Internships enable students to...

• identify a career cluster of interest to them
• observe and participate in activities connected with a career cluster
• describe the requirements and characteristics of selected careers
• experience a range of choices and opportunites within a career area
• determine whether a career is compatible with their interests, values, skills, and aptitudes
• apply academic learning to practical situations
• apply out-of-school experience to classroom activities
• set priorities, plan use of time, and adhere to a schedule
• develop important work habits, such as promptness, reliability, and accuracy
• develop lifelong learning habits
• make the transition from school to post-secondary education and careers
• develop working relationships with adults In addition, each on-site supervisor and the intern coordinator should jointly develop student goals and assessment measures related to the specific internship.