How does the Internship program work at Wootton?
Students can take a single, double, or triple period of Internship for credit (0.5 credits per period, per semester) their senior year of high school. Internships can be done fall and/or spring semesters. Internships can be done in the morning or afternoon, most most internships are done in the afternoon to better align with the business day. While any internship experience is great, summer internships are not for school credit and need to be organized independently from the WHS Internship program.
Is an Internship right for me?
Here are some questions you should ask yourself:
- Will my schedule allow for an internship? Can I devote 1-3 classes to internship my senior year?
- What extracurricular activities might conflict with my internship schedule?
- Can I maintain an excellent attendance record at school and the workplace?
- Am I self-disciplined enough to meet project deadlines, complete paperwork, follow procedures, and communicate with the intern coordinator?
- Can I provide my own transportation or use public transportation to commute to my internship site? NOTE: Most internship positions are not paid. Interns must assume the expense of commuting.
- Am I able to act in a professional manner at my internship site? This means, be punctual, limit cell phone use, take initiative, ask questions, and communicate with my site supervisor?
What is required of me as an Internship student?
At Wootton:
- Sign out daily with the Internship Coordinator, Mrs. Stroot
- Complete weekly reflections on your internship experience as well as monthly webinars on work-related issues.
- Communicate with Mrs. Stroot about any issues, concerns, or success you may have at your internship.
- Report to your internship site no less than five, 10, or 15 hours per week (depending on how many release periods you have).
- Keep track of the hours you report to your internship.
- Act professionally, which includes being punctual, working hard, acting responsibly, maintain confidentiality, and dress appropriately throughout the internship experience.
- Follow proper call-out procedures and company requirements.
I've heard an abbreviated schedule "looks bad" to colleges. Is this true?
The short answer...no.
This is an antiquated way of thinking and the opposite is true! Having an internship and gaining work experience actually sets you apart from other college applicants. It shows colleges that you are motivated, inquisitive and serious about success since you used your time in high school to gain professional experience. What colleges don't like to see are "holes" in your schedule or classes where you were not challenging yourself or gaining new skills or experience. Part-time jobs, internships, volunteering, and taking college courses in HS all show colleges that you are committed to learning and improving yourself, as well as dedicated and committed.
This is an antiquated way of thinking and the opposite is true! Having an internship and gaining work experience actually sets you apart from other college applicants. It shows colleges that you are motivated, inquisitive and serious about success since you used your time in high school to gain professional experience. What colleges don't like to see are "holes" in your schedule or classes where you were not challenging yourself or gaining new skills or experience. Part-time jobs, internships, volunteering, and taking college courses in HS all show colleges that you are committed to learning and improving yourself, as well as dedicated and committed.
How do I get an internship?
Once enrolled in the program, you will meet with Mrs. Stroot to discuss your interests and abilities and to find the internship you would be most interested in pursuing. You will work closely with Mrs. Stroot to find placements. Mrs. Stroot will be able to provide you with leads, but you will be responsible for following-up (contacting the business or organization, sending a completed resume, interviewing at the site).
What if I already have an internship site in mind? Great! Some students get an internship without the guidance from Mrs. Stroot. If that is the case, you just need to provide Mrs. Stroot with the organization information so she can vet the business and make sure they are following MCPS internship policies, guidelines, and requirements.
What if I already have an internship site in mind? Great! Some students get an internship without the guidance from Mrs. Stroot. If that is the case, you just need to provide Mrs. Stroot with the organization information so she can vet the business and make sure they are following MCPS internship policies, guidelines, and requirements.
Where can I get an Internship?
The sky is the limit! Business, law, technology, hospitality...it depends on your interests. The only requirements are that you may not intern in a private home, routinely drive as a part of your job responsibilities, or transport money. You must be under adult supervision. Working at a parent's place of employment is okay, but a parent or relative may not be your direct supervisor. Here is a sample of where some of our internship students have worked in the past:
- The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
- Office of the State Attorney
- Rismiller Family Law Practice
- National Institutes of Health
- Save the Date Event Planning
- City of Gaithersburg
- Savvy Treats Bakery
- Financial Advantage Associates
- Congressman John Delaney
- The Treatment and Learning Centers
- Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse
- VisArts
- Women in Film and Video
- Escape Room Rockville
- Not Your Average Joe's