Internships at High Tech High
[REQUEST an Intern Here] [CONFIRM Your Intern Here]
Thank you for your interest in the High Tech High internship program. Because of you and our previous mentors, hundreds of HTH students have benefited from an internship experience.
In 1994, the U.S. Congress passed the School-to-Work Opportunities Act in an effort to re-establish the benefit that high school students have in learning that comes from being situated in an adult workplace environment. Research has found that these experiences offer students a chance to reflect on the role of work in their life and in society. It also has been found to increase students’ interest in attending and completing college.
The High Tech High Internship program aims to foster personal growth and help students acquire workplace skills in a real-world environment. The program offers local organizations a well-supported intern who provides a modest return on investment.
Program Logistics
- The HTH Spring internship dates are:
- The Gary & Jerri Ann Jacobs High Tech High: May 23-June 20, 2012
- High Tech High Chula Vista: May 14-June 6, 2012
- High Tech High North County: May 24- June 15, 2012.
- An informational visit/ pre-visit date will also be scheduled.
- Insurance - Interns are covered by HTH liability insurance while on-site or participating in any activity related to their internship.
- Transportation - Students are responsible for finding appropriate transportation (their own vehicle, parent, company transport, mass transit, etc.)
- All High Tech High juniors are required to complete an internship in a local organization. The internship consists of an orientation followed by a four week, full-time immersion at the work site, concluding with the intern’s presentation of learning. Students receive credit for successfully completing their internship and related course work.
- Each student is paired with a workplace mentor who understands and supports the goals of the program. Mentors communicate regularly with a HTH Teacher Advisor about student progress, attendance, and project development.
- All interns develop a substantial project(s) with the mentor that contributes to the organization.
- Near the end of the internship, each intern presents his/her work and overall learning to a panel of mentors, other site employees, and a small group of student and staff representatives from High Tech High. This culminating event celebrates the student’s accomplishments and offers an occasion for reflection and critique.
- The site experience is supported by a seminar back at school prior to internship, where students are introduced to work place skills and conduct.
Mentor Expectations
- To hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher and share educational and professional journey with the intern
- To provide opportunities for the intern to understand the complexities of your job
- To share daily routines with the intern and ensure the intern is actively engaged during the work day
- To be available during the course of the internship
- To not be related to the intern
- To only mentor one intern (we hope that interns will work among adults rather than with other students)
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS: FOR MENTORS, STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS
Mentor/Intern Confirmation Form - Complete to confirm an Intern
HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM:
Complete the above “Online Mentor Form” to request an intern. Contact internships@hightechhigh.org if you have any questions about High Tech High's Academic Internship Program.