Each year, seniors go on an internship of their own choosing for four weeks at the end of the year. This opportunity allows them to experience the real world hands-on.
Senior class advisor and business teacher Mrs. Melissa Cacioppo is the senior internship coordinator. She took over the program in the year 2020, only sending 10 seniors into internships. In 2021, 33 seniors took advantage of this opportunity. As the years went on, the number increased. Last year, 155 seniors were sent on internships.
The Application
To begin, you must fill out the Senior Internship Application. This year, the application is due to Mrs. Cacioppo by April 10, 2024, and a secured location is due by April 19, 2024. To submit the application, you need to have a resume attached. To view the application, go to Senior Internship Application.
The application requires student information, post-graduation plans, parent signature, medical information, teacher signatures, transportation plan, and your site supervisor’s signature.
Finding a Site
Finding a location requires lots of networking and communication. Cacioppo shares advice on how to get the ball rolling. Ask yourself these questions:
- What am I interested in?
- What do I want to do?
- Does what my family, friends, etc. do in their career seem interesting to me or fit my future?
Cacioppo states, “ …All these teachers in this building have a lot of connections. I think your teachers are one of your first resorts to go to.”
Before contacting a location, you must first notify Mrs. Cacioppo to ensure a spot is available. Many locations have limited the number of interns they’ll accept this year.
Starting Your Internship
The internship “curriculum” has a pass/fail policy. Failing to complete the necessary work will result in an F on your transcript. For example, weekly journals require an entry on your week.
Cacioppo states, “We need those journals to make sure you’re doing okay, and you’re not just sitting in the corner. ”
For the first week of internship, there’s a good chance you will be solely observing. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the tasks you’ll take on through the experience.
Cacioppo continues, “I don’t want people to think it’s going to be amazing the first day and come home disappointed, it’s okay if you’re not jumping in right away. This is your first step to the real world. It’s a lot of responsibility, in a good way. You’re growing up.”
Foran graduate Venice Montanaro completed her internship with Former Mayor of Milford, Rich Smith. Montanaro shares advice to this year’s seniors.
She says, “…get an internship that you love in an area that will be fun and exciting as well as focused into your career… it’s a great thing to have going into college, you already have this experience under your belt.”
Senior Joselyne Cruz is sticking to her passion as internship rolls around. She is going to intern with local interior designer Katie Geddes.
Cruz states, “Interior design has always been my passion starting from when I was a little girl when I used to continuously organize my room adding little unique touches.”
As the end of your senior year comes closer, it’s important to plan your internship out early. For more questions or concerns, email Mrs. Cacioppo or visit her room.
