Becoming a senior can be a very exciting, yet overwhelming experience, and it is common for seniors to not be fully sure of what they want to do once they leave high school.

Internship programs are an amazing way to get involved and gain experience in career fields that might spark some interest.

Luckily for IHS students, there are various internship programs available for seniors, one of the main programs being with both Ben Franklin and East Pike Elementary School. 

Senior Bailey Oakes speaks on her experience so far with her internship at Ben Franklin Elementary School,  “I am really enjoying it. It’s such a great opportunity to see if my career choice is the right path for me. It really has helped me get a look into what I could be doing in the future.” 

During your internship, you have the ability to choose whether or not to have it during the morning or afternoon. Some students leave in the morning and come to school during sixth period, and some students leave sixth period and spend the afternoon at their internship placement.

Students must have a minimum of ten hours a week with their internship. 

Mrs. Juart, a teacher here at IHS, oversees the program with Ben Franklin and East Pike. Students are required to meet with her once a week to discuss how the internship is going and complete additional coursework such as journal entries and assigned readings.

Mrs. Juart explains the benefits students get while being in this internship, “Students have roles that are very similar to that of a teacher aide. They get to work one-on-one with students or in small groups. They get to perform classroom tasks such as collecting homework, assembling and passing out packets, helping with book orders, and designing bulletin boards. It is a great snapshot of all the classroom activities a teacher goes through on a daily basis.”

To be considered for the internship program, a student must apply as a junior. It is required that the student has good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and has letters of recommendation. A student cannot be qualified for the internship if there are any recorded discipline or attendance issues as well. After filling out the application, the student must go through a brief interview process. 

Senior Lauren Brocious discusses her favorite part of her internship program, “My favorite part is definitely helping out with all the kids and getting to see how much they have improved in their learning. I just love seeing all the kids’ smiles every day when they see me.”

Internship programs can really help a student realize their skills and what they are passionate about, not to mention it looks great on college applications. So, if you’re a junior still unsure of what you want to do in the future, consider looking into the internship programs at IHS. You can gain new connections and make memories that could last a lifetime.