Revere High School (RHS) is allowing seniors to participate in internships that will help them prepare for the demanding workforce and gain experience in their field of study.
In current education, senior internships for high school students have emerged as a way to enhance personal and professional growth. These programs offer invaluable opportunities for seniors to gain real-world experience, refine their skills and explore potential career paths before beginning their collegiate or professional experiences. Revere has been participating in this program for five years.
RHS principal Dr. Andy Peltz emphasized the significance of senior internships in shaping well-rounded individuals. He spoke about the importance of having senior options.
” A lot of schools have senior projects or some sort of end of the year activity. What I love is that we offer the opportunity for students who want to shadow a job and go into it. [There are a] couple different internships students can do in the last couple weeks of school instead of attending traditional classes. I think it’s a fantastic way for our seniors to start transitioning their mind from being a high school student to that of being college and career ready,” Peltz said.
Jeff Dallas, teacher at RHS and mentor who helps guide numerous high school seniors through internship programs, shared his insights into the impact of such initiatives.
“It really starts with the student starting that process of finding an internship site. The goal is to find an internship site that is something that they’re interested in pursuing. Whether that’s studying in college and then eventually that end goal of being what they want to do as a career. It’s not always that students are able to find something on their own,” Dallas said.
Emily Rion, a RHS counselor who promotes internship opportunities, highlighted the importance of hands-on learning experiences in preparing students for the demands of the workforce.
“Offering some other way to do this somehow [is our goal]. That would be really great. I would love . . . to see it grow. I think that it’s a really important thing to continue to have,” Rion said.
In addition to personal and professional development, senior internships foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within high schools. Some of the internship locations are O.D.O.T, the Cleveland equine clinic, Huntington bank, Richfield and Bath Elementary, Crystal Clinic, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Akron Civic Theater, to name a few. By partnering with local businesses, organizations and community leaders, schools can provide students with access to mentorship, resources and real-world skills that help complete their Highschool education.
Senior internships for high school students represent a vital component of education, equipping young individuals with the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world. Through the guidance of advocates like Peltz and mentors like Dallas and Rion, senior internship programs pave the way for the next generation of leaders, innovators and change-makers. By investing in these initiatives, schools can empower seniors to embrace their potential and make meaningful contributions to society, both now and in the years to come.
