By Amy Heaton
This year, there are 68 students in the internship program, compared to 43 last year. Part of this significant growth was due to the work of the internship coordinator, Ms. Diana Kirtley. There was a brochure distributed in English classes last year to let more people know the benefits of the program, and Ms. Kirtley went to rising junior and senior English classes in person to talk to them about it.
There are many benefits to doing an internship while going to school at B-CC. Overall, it is a “wonderful way of taking what students learn in the classroom and applying it to the outside world,” said Kirtley. Getting involved in the intern program can also appeal to colleges, provide life-long skills, and help students further determine what they want to do after high school and college.
“Students are starting to realize that doing an internship can help you get a job after college,” explained Kirtley. When a student does an internship in high school, they are likely to continue that into college, and people who are interns in college are much more likely to get a job after graduation. The real-world experiences gained through the program certainly give students a leg-up in the competitive working community.
Many students enter college not quite knowing what they want to do with their lives. Though college is a good opportunity to find oneself, it is an advantage to have an idea of what you are working towards and have a goal. Interns get the chance to explore themselves and the career they are interested in, and the program provides them with a goal they can work towards.
There are three different types of internships: single period, double period, and triple period. A single period internship requires 5 hours of work per week for a total of 75 hours per semester. A double period internship requires 10 hours of work per week for a total of 150 hours per semester. Finally, a triple period internship requires 15 hours per week for a total of 225 hours per semester. The hours worked each week can be distributed by the sponsor and student however they like, but working two or three days a week is typical.
“A double period [internship] is ideal,” said Kirtley, “because 10 hours of work really allows students to get the most out of the experience.” However, a single period is still worthwhile because it offers students valuable experiences. Students must also be willing to stay past school hours on their internships occasionally to finish their work.
In order to have room in a schedule come senior or junior year, it is important to start looking ahead in freshman and sophomore years. Because an internship requires a period or two out of a schedule, required credits must already be completed. So students who are interested in being an intern should plan ahead.
The range of possible internships here in the Bethesda area is huge. Theresa Nakamura works at Stella’s Bakery in Rockville. “It has been a wonderful learning experience so far and I am really enjoying my time,” said Nakamura. Chris Nordan, who works at the Office of the Public Defender, said, “I have always been interested in the legal process and my internship has solidified my interest.”
On the days when they are not at their internships, students work with Ms. Kirtley to gain lifelong skills such as writing résumés, cover letters, and thank you letters to employers.
The skills and experiences gained through the internship program are beneficial throughout the rest of the students’ lives. Perhaps that is why the number of interns has increased so greatly this year.
