Internship for High School Credit

Published by Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc.1106 Meridian Plaza, Suite 220/340

Anderson, Indiana 46016www.apologia.com

© 2017 by Sherri SeligsonALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Manufactured in the USAFirst Printing: February 2017

ISBN: 978-1-940110-90-5

Printed by Bang Printing, Brainerd, MN

Cover and Book Design: Doug Powell

Scripture quotations are from:English Standard Version (esv)

© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Introduction .................................................................................................... 5How to Use This Workbook ............................................................................ 9Part I: Getting Started ........................................................................ 11

Determining the Type of Internship ......................................................... 12Choosing a Company .............................................................................. 13Preparation ............................................................................................... 14Receiving High School Credit .................................................................. 15 Writing a Résumé ..................................................................................... 17Letter of Introduction .............................................................................. 20Sample Letter of Introduction .................................................................. 21Sample Student Résumé ........................................................................... 22The Interview ........................................................................................... 23After the Interview ................................................................................... 25Gearing Up for the First Day ................................................................... 25

Part II: Information for Parents ...................................................... 27Choosing an Internship Location ............................................................. 28Child Labor Laws ..................................................................................... 29Transcript Documentation ....................................................................... 30Course Title and Number ........................................................................ 30Number of Credits ................................................................................... 31Grades ...................................................................................................... 32

Part III: First Semester ....................................................................... 33How to Use the Worksheets ..................................................................... 34Semester Goals ......................................................................................... 36Weekly Worksheet I ................................................................................. 37Weekly Worksheet II ................................................................................ 46

CONTENTS

Weekly Worksheet III ............................................................................... 55Weekly Worksheet IV ............................................................................... 63Midterm Work Performance .................................................................... 71End-of-Semester Work Performance ......................................................... 72Skills Gained ............................................................................................ 73First Semester Summary ........................................................................... 74A Bonus Benefit ....................................................................................... 74

Part IV: Second Semester .................................................................. 75How to Use the Worksheets ..................................................................... 77Biweekly Worksheet I ............................................................................... 78Biweekly Worksheet II ............................................................................. 81Midterm Work Performance .................................................................... 84End-of-Semester Work Performance ......................................................... 85Second Semester Summary ....................................................................... 86

Part V: Course Wrap-Up ................................................................... 87Final Writing Assignment ......................................................................... 88Thank-You Note....................................................................................... 88Sample Thank-You Note .......................................................................... 89Letter of Recommendation....................................................................... 90Updating Your Résumé ............................................................................ 90

Appendix ....................................................................................................... 93A Note to Guidance Counselors ............................................................... 94Sample Prospective Partner Letter ............................................................ 96

About the Author .......................................................................................... 97Bibliography .................................................................................................. 98

5INTRODUCTION

What is an internship? In short, it is a period of time when a student works at a company or alongside a professional to gain practical work experience and explore a career.

Internships evolved from the apprenticeship model of the Middle Ages. In the 1500s, most people obtained their career skills by completing an apprenticeship—a method of learning a job by working alongside well-trained individuals who were masters in their field. To become a master sculptor, for example, a young apprentice would first work in the master sculptor’s studio. The early assignments would be simple support work, such as sweeping and organizing materials. After a while, the apprentice would slowly be taught the details of the design and sculpting process and, through the course of several years, would begin to take on the skills of a craftsman-sculptor himself.

After the Industrial Revolution and with the advancement of technology, jobs became less craftsmanlike and more businesslike. To teach and train individuals in these careers, more and more career-related information was put into books, and the college and university model of education became more important. The career-preparation process shifted from an applied situation, where a student learned information in conjunction with practical skills, to an academic situation, where a student learned all about a career yet typically had little hands-on experience.

Today, most students have little practical career preparation. Many people believe that by reading and studying information in books, students can gain the education needed to be successful in their careers. Often students graduate from high school and complete a chosen major in a four-year university before they ever cross the threshold

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION6

of a company in their field. Sadly, when some college graduates begin work, they are unaware of what the day-to-day duties and responsibilities are, and they often change career paths (an expensive and time-intensive endeavor). This is one of the reasons why working alongside professionals in an internship is beneficial: It gives a student a closer look at a specific career before committing to it.

Although much knowledge can be gained through a college education and many careers require a college degree, an apprenticeship or an internship is unparalleled for practical learning.

What is the difference between a modern-day apprenticeship and an internship? An apprenticeship is a program where someone new to a field works alongside a professional. With supervision, the apprentice learns both the technical and nontechnical aspects of a highly skilled job and is usually paid for this work. Modern apprenticeships typically last from three to six years, during which on-the-job training and limited classroom instruction or independent study provide the apprentice with the skills necessary to eventually become an expert too. In exchange for the oversight and education, the apprentice commits to work for the master for a specified period of time after completing the apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are often best suited for students who do not want long-term higher education yet still want to gain work-related qualifications.

On the other hand, an internship is a way for a student to gain practical career experience and skills over a defined period of time. Interns are students who are exploring a potential career path. They often work without pay, although some internships provide compensation. There is no commitment to work for the employer after the completion of the internship, but interns are often offered paid jobs at that time.

By observing and working with a mentor in an internship, students see how to apply the information learned from books. They can work closely with supervisors, sit in on meetings, observe different departments within a company, and even assume the tasks

7INTRODUCTION

of entry-level employees. Students can explore potential career choices while discovering how those choices match their passions, skills, and even their expectations. Interns have opportunities to see how they work with other individuals. They discover the importance of communication skills and even learn a bit about themselves. For example, some students come away from an internship with the realization that they really like the order that comes with working in an office. Others discover that they prefer the flexibility of an outdoor job or a mobile job, such as home repair or home health care, that involves traveling to job locations rather than working in an office environment.

Interning as a high school student offers many benefits. It provides a wonderful way to explore a potential career field, even before choosing a college major. Students often have idealized images of the careers they are interested in. When given the opportunity to see the day-to-day responsibilities of a particular career, frequently their eyes are opened, and they have a better understanding of what it looks like. Not only are students able to discover what they like or dislike about a job, but it will also be much easier to choose a major. Students come away from an internship experience with either a confirmation of their chosen career path or the knowledge that they need to explore a different occupation.

The presence of an internship on a high school transcript also bolsters a college application. It shows a college that this student has seen the real-world workings within his chosen field, is more certain of his educational direction, and has experience related to his career goals. A student who has completed an internship is less likely to change majors, and colleges want students who are sure of what they want to do. In fact, they are more willing to offer scholarships to students they know are more likely to stay the course in their college plans, particularly with scholarships that are tied to a specific major.

Finally, students who have completed an internship will have gained several marketable skills, even if they change direction in their career choice. They may even be offered a paid job at the end of the internship.

INTERNSHIP BENEFITS• Explore a career • Learn day-to-day job responsibilities • Discover job likes and dislikes • Focus more closely on a college major • Bolster a college application • Gain experience related to career goals • Increase scholarship opportunities • Gain marketable skills • Increase potential job offers

INTRODUCTION8

Internships and homeschooling work well together. One of the many benefits of homeschooling in the high school years is the flexibility of students’ schedules. Homeschooled students have time to explore an area of interest with an internship. If internship experiences are well documented, detailing job skills learned and providing written information about various aspects of a career, students can receive high school credit for their time and effort.

This workbook takes students through all the steps necessary for obtaining and documenting an internship. It is unique in that it helps students brainstorm areas of interest and then walks them through how to identify jobs that utilize their passions and skills. It guides students through the process of writing a résumé and explains how to prepare for interviews. This book also includes valuable activities and research assignments for students to complete during their internships so that they gain a thorough understanding of their career fields, from educational requirements to office dynamics to dress code. It also includes information that will be helpful to parents as they walk alongside their students through this process.

Parts I, III, IV, and V are written directly to students, and part II is written to parents. However, it is imperative that homeschooling parents participate in the entire process, from deciding on the career field to choosing, documenting, and assessing an internship position.

PART 112

DETERMINING THE TYPE OF INTERNSHIPInternships are possible in practically any career field. You and your parents should speak with several people who work in the field that interests you and get their opinions on which direction to take in pursuing an internship. For example, if you are interested in fashion design, it may be difficult to find a fashion designer who is willing or able to offer an internship. Be creative. It may be easier to find a seamstress who constructs one-of-a-kind creations or costumes. Contact a local theater company to speak with their costume designer. See if there are uniform manufacturers in your area. Your goal is to find any place where you can learn relevant skills and be exposed to the field’s general environment.

For the fashion design example, experience in the fashion portion is just as important as experience in the design portion. Though you may not be able to find internships in the fashion field, keep in mind that it would be beneficial to understand how designs move from concept to final production. You can learn this in an upholstery company, a window treatment manufacturer, or any type of design firm. By seeing how items go from drawing to completion, you will gain experience in how your desired field—fashion design—works. Brainstorm with your parents and others to help find the type of organization where an internship would be most beneficial.

When thinking about careers, it is important to realize that what we do in life has significance because we work to glorify God in all things. This is a perfect time for students and parents to pray together and ask God for His direction. As you consider internship possibilities, it is wise to reflect on how God made you, with your unique skills and strengths. He has a plan for you and will direct you.

15GETTING STARTED

RECEIVING HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT Some companies have established internship programs with a specific number of days and hours for each position. If so, make sure you are able to work these hours before you apply. However, there are many companies, particularly small businesses, that have no established programs. Yet these companies might be willing to consider taking on an intern for free help and accommodating your availability. In these situations, you need to talk about how many hours would benefit you both.

The number of hours you need to receive high school credit depends upon the type of course you are completing. It is important that you find out the required credits in your state to complete the course in which you are interested. For example, most high school science courses require one credit, which translates to a year’s worth of study. However, many courses, such as American Government, take only one semester and are therefore designated as half-credit courses. This information is usually available on the Department of Education website in your state. It can often be found by doing an Internet search for your state’s course codes, course descriptions, or framework objectives. Some states have course descriptions for internships. Do a search for “executive internship,” “experiential education,” or “apprenticeship” to see what your state recognizes. A phone call to your state’s homeschool support organization or even to the guidance department of a local high school can be another way to determine the number of credits for your desired course.

Once you have determined the appropr iate credi t for your internship, you can then plan the number of days and hours per week you will need to work. A typical

If you are interested in law, some internship possibilities include law offices, local political campaigns, real estate agencies, business offices, and reference libraries.

LAW

69FIRST SEMESTER

QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES FOR WEEK 16

1. Have your supervisor rate your work performance on your End-of-Semester Performance worksheet. Compare the assessment to your midterm assessment. Note areas of improvement below.

“When grace abounds, learning will not puff you up.” Charles Spurgeon

PART III70

2. Think about your company’s field of business. The nature of some industries requires moving from one project to another, and each new venture presents different challenges and problems to solve. Other industries have routine work, offering no surprises or issues. Which type better describes where you have been working? Is it a combination of these two or something completely different? Describe your company and write about how this format of working fits your personality and strengths.