Senior Internship Program

Program Description

Seniors with a "C" Average or better in each course may apply to do a senior project during their last quarter. An approved senior project allows students to be released from some or all of their classes in order to pursue an alternative educational experience or to investigate a possible career. The program will be graded and credit awarded for successful completion of the outlined responsibilities and obligations. There are several types of senior projects.

1. Independent Study: With the aid of a faculty and community sponsor, the student plans and carries out an in-depth study of a particular topic, such as scientific research or developing a computer program. Such a project would typically be academic, but more technical projects in shop or power mechanics could take place. Nearby university courses could form a piece of such a senior project.

2. Internships: A senior can offer on-the-job assistance in return for expert supervision, such as working with veterinarians, mechanics, social workers, businessmen, artists, teachers, or doctors. An internship might also include a formal program such as Earth-watch, Outward Bound, or Andover's short-term institute. However, the internship must be directly related to future career aspirations.

3. Volunteer Program: Careers may be explored or community service offered by volunteering in hospitals, nursing homes, or other community agencies.
 

Application Procedures

1.  Interested seniors may obtain an application packet from the Coordinator, Mr. Woods.

2.  Eligibility: Students must have a "Cumulative C" average on each year-long course and a "C" grade in each course for 3rd quarter. No student on social probation will be considered.

3.   Attendance and promptness to school, as defined in the student handbook, must be satisfactory.

4.  Interested students should submit the completed application (copy attached) to Mr. Woods.

5.  A faculty panel including a guidance counselor, administrators, and coordinators will review the proposal. Each application will be evaluated on the basis of the following:

a. How clear, realistic, and organized the proposal is.

b. How relevant or appropriate the proposal is to the student's abilities and interests. The project must be related to the student's career plans after high school.

6.   After completing a letter of intent and the application form, each applicant will be invited to an interview with the faculty panel and must be prepared to present his/her job objectives and a specific description of the goals of his/her project.

7.   The final selection of the participants for this project will be made by the interviewing panel.
 

Groton-Dunstable Regional High School Policy Statement

It is the policy of the Groton-Dunstable Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, handicap, sexual orientation and national origin in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1971, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Internship Timeline

Application Phase

- Students complete the application procedure:
    1. Obtain Parent's permission
    2. Obtain project placement and Employer Sponsor with "timeline" completed.
    3. Secure a Faculty Sponsor
    4. Fill out application form neatly in black ink or use online PDF form.
    5. Submit to the Coordinator, Mr. Woods.

Application Review Phase

- Faculty Panel Review of Applications
- Faculty Panel schedules interviews with candidates
- Applicants notified by Coordinator as to interview schedule

Interview Period

Orientation Phase

Practicum Phase

Faculty Sponsors Visit Worksites

Mandatory Meetings with Faculty Sponsors for all Interns to conference final paper and prepare oral presentation

Internship Presentations to Faculty Sponsors, Employer Sponsors, Parents, Fellow Interns, staff and students

Requirements

Senior Intern's Responsibilities and Obligations

1. Obtain parental permission, an internship placement, Employer Sponsor, Faculty Sponsor, and complete the application form. Include the Employer Sponsor's "Timeline" when submitting the application.
 
2. Submit application to Coordinator.
 
3. Attend internship interview as scheduled.
 
4. Academic obligations:

a. Daily Journal - Maintain a daily journal indicating tasks, personal relationships, problems, and reflections. Submit to Faculty Sponsor for review during your scheduled weekly meetings.
 
b. Summary Papers - Write weekly summary papers on designated topics. Submit to Faculty Sponsors each Friday by 2:00 p.m. These should be in ink or typed, double-spaced.
 
c. Final Summary Paper - Typed, double-spaced, a seven-to-ten page paper which will include the following content:

Introduction: Introduction of where you worked, brief explanation of the agencies or department's function.

Initial Expectations: Comparison of your initial job expectations and aspirations and those experienced on the job!

Orientation:
      i. experiences
      ii. responsibilities
      iii. problems
      iv. successes/solutions
      v. impressions (fondest, hardest memories)

Major discoveries about the career.

Ways the internship has affected your future career choice.
Conclusion (Personal reflection on growth, future success, current plans, etc.)

5. Adhere to the "Calendar of Events" and attend all scheduled activities.
 
6. Maintain a dignified personal posture as a representative of our school.
 
7. Respect and follow the expectations of your Employer Sponsor during the entire course of the program.
 
8. Be prompt and thorough when submitting academic papers to your Faculty Sponsor.

Topic Sheet for Weekly Summary Papers - Note Due Dates!

Week #1 – Description of Personnel Structure and Relationships
  * Who does which tasks?
  * Who supervises whom?
  * Division of Labor: Who does what?  (Include a diagram of this structure)
  * How do you relate to your colleagues and supervisors?
  * Problems?  Concerns?

Week # 2 – Interview a Specific Colleague
  * Include his/her educational background, job preparation, experiences, and future career   goals.

Week # 3 – Press Release
  * Write a well-organized paragraph describing your internship.
  * Include information relating to your specific tasks and the institution and people with whom you work.
  * Your Faculty Sponsor will review this paragraph and submit it to the Coordinator who will distribute it to local media.

Week #4 –Description of a Major "Success Story" or Task You Completed
  * For this paper, choose one of your tasks or accomplishments and describe your involvement, challenge, problems and successes.

Week #5 – Rough Draft Preparation: (Written & Oral)
  * Process writing conferences by appointment with faculty sponsor

Week #6 – Final Paper and Oral Presentation Preparation
  * Edit Final Draft
  * Polish oral presentation
  * Type and edit final paper
 

Note # 1 – Daily Journals: Be sure to make daily entries regarding all of your experiences so that you may use this information for writing weekly and final papers.

Note # 2 – Employer's Literature/Promotional Packs: During the internship, collect brochures, posters or any other literature that focuses on your job site.  This material should be placed in a folder and submitted along with your final paper to the Coordinator.