Internship Guidelines

Background of internships program: 

As a school, Wheaton Academy specifically designed a time during the two weeks of Winterim for students to pursue an internship.  An internship is an opportunity for a student to observe and gain hands-on experience with one or more employees at a business, non-profit organization, or government agency. This experience will help students gain firsthand perspective of the skills and tasks needed to be successful in a business. The experience will also learn how to best apply their personal gifting and interests after high school.

Goals of our internship program: 

  • Give students a hands-on experience in a career and technical program
  • Introduce students to possible business and careers available after high school
  • Prepare students for a career by developing employability skills and an understanding of professional expectations
  • Reinforce how important it is to learn well and develop college readiness skills for workplace success

Expectations of the Student Intern: 

Students agree to the following terms BEFORE for the Winterim internship experience:

  • Students should made arrangements for the internship with the internship host before applying online. They must show their internship host these internship guidelines and insure their internship host understands the purpose and requirements.
  • Internship host needs to be someone outside of the student’s immediate family.
  • Students understand that the school is not liable for any injuries that they may sustain as a result of this internship.
  • Students understand that they may be removed from the internship if they do not follow the guidelines or perform poorly.

Students agree to the following terms DURING the Winterim internship experience:

  • Students must work a minimum of 60 hours in an unpaid position during the ten days of the internship. Students will arrive at the location on time each day.
  • Students’ work day should not exceed eight hours on any given work day.
  • In most cases, students should be working at their location for each of the ten days.
  • Students must submit a Daily Log and final internship portfolio by the first Friday of second semester.
  • Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that complements the business’ expectations and policies, maintaining high standards of professionalism while at the internship location.
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the internship location.

Student Enrollment Criteria:

  • Student has had no more than ten excused absences during the year prior to the internship.
  • Student has had no unexcused absences during the year prior to the internship or suspension from school for any reason during the year prior to an internship.
  • Priority for internship placement will be shown to those students who are in good standing with Wheaton Academy. Students who are on any type of school probation must complete an additional interview with the Internship Coordinator for acceptance into the program.

 Expectations of the Internship Host (Contact Person) 

Student interns are supervised by the internship host, a staff person employed by the worksite. Typically, the internship host has experience and expertise in the area in which the student is interning. The host should be prepared to:

  • Provide the student with realistic, challenging assignments that facilitate learning. (We want to avoid students conducting work of a clerical nature unless the internship experience is in an office setting).
  • Provide adequate equipment, materials, and other facilities required in order to provide an appropriate learning experience for the student intern.
  • Help the student learn about business culture and adjust to the workplace. Please inform the student about the business regulations regarding confidentiality and public access to information.
  • Serve as a mentor, sharing the benefits and potential drawbacks of a career in the field and giving suggestions for entering the profession.
  • Supervise and intentionally meet with the intern on a daily basis during the internship to guide performance, answer questions, and provide background information and resources related to the intern’s work.
  • Adhere to all State and Federal regulations regarding employment; child labor laws, minimum wages and workmen’s compensation.
  • Notify the Internship Coordinator immediately of any problem which occurs that cannot be resolved by the internship host.
  • Submit an internship evaluation and exit slip at the end of the internship experience.

NOTE: Prior to the student’s first day of the internship, the internship host should have met with the student to discuss his or her responsibilities, orientation to the job, and workplace policies and expectations. The internship host must also send an email to internships@wheatonacademy.org to confirm the internship. In the email, please list the student’s name, the job the student will be fulfilling during the internship, agreement to these internship guidelines, and confirmation of the dates of Winterim.