This school year, Westview High School implemented senior year internships for pathway students. Students can intern at various places, including engineering companies, accounting offices, veterinary clinics and more. The internships align with individual pathway standards and can replace a senior year capstone class. This year, there are currently 55 students doing an internship.
“I think internships are great because you can really explore different passions, learn what’s out there, get real world experiences, and you’re going to have something very cool on your resume,” said Dr. Arens, Curriculum Specialist and Director of College and Career Academies and Pathways.
Students doing internships must complete 90 hours of work to gain a class credit. Time is allotted in their schedule to complete these hours. There is a lot of flexibility within student schedules to assure that interns are receiving a credit for their work.
Depending on the internship, students may work at school, on a job site, or a hybrid between the two.
“Some students will go to their internship or their job, they physically go off sight, and they gain those real-world experiences during their school day. They get to learn about skills and be really immersed in work-culture that they wouldn’t have been able to get in a traditional class setting,” said Dr. Arens.
The excitement about internships has grown as the school year progresses.
“I love internships at Westview. It’s such a good opportunity for students and it really sets them up for success in the future,” said Kailyn Fletcher, 12, a QLI Rehabilitation Center intern.
Fletcher chose this internship because she currently wants to work in the medical field one day. This internship will allow her to get her CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) while gaining on the job nursing experience.
“I think it will majorly help me in the future, and it’s a great way to earn experience,” Fletcher said.
For others, an internship is a way to discover more about their future endeavors or career choice. You do not necessarily have to know what you want to do in the future to be an intern.
“Even if you are exploring, or even if you are sure of what you want to do, I think internships offer a really great opportunity for you to dive into a work experience, learn skills that are beyond the classroom experience, and begin to network,” said Dr. Arens.
Some students are learning about potential career paths through their internships.
“I don’t know exactly what I want to do in the future, and this will help me a lot,” said Tucker Ingram, 12, intern at Bland & Associates accounting firm.
Ingram took accounting his junior year and really enjoyed it. An employee from Bland & Associates came and talked to his class, and after this, Ingram applied for an internship and was accepted. Ingram hopes to further develop his professional skills and find out if accounting suits his future career path.
Internships at Westview are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Dr. Arens hopes that eventually every student can do an internship if it fits in with their schedule.
“We want students to feel prepared for after high school and confident about whatever move they’re making,” said Dr. Arens.
