Grafton High seniors get a jump on careers in new internship program

This spring, Grafton High School sending about a dozen seniors to work, eschewing regular classes for the workforce.

Some are hoping to find work in genetic counseling and other scientific fields. At least one person has expressed an interest in mortuary work. But for 25 hours a week for the last quarter of school, they will be the pilot students in the high school’s first-ever internship program.

“To give them an authentic experience is very important,” said Jason Cote, who is coordinating the program. “It’s worthwhile even if they decide it’s something they don’t want to do.”

Grafton High School staff have been talking about the idea of an internship program off and on for the last decade. Representatives from the high school have spoken with schools with similar programs for guidance. With the school now doing without midterm and final exams, seniors in good standing are now able to skip the final quarter and work as an intern at a local company.

There are, of course, rules.

Rather than have the school find work for them, students are responsible to for finding their placement themselves, through networking with family and friends or reaching out to potential employers themselves. They will receive advice about resumes, dressing for the workplace and appropriate behavior.

Seniors who are enrolled in an Advanced Placement course are required to return to school for their AP class. For all other classes, the students’ grades at the end of the third quarter will be their final grades.

Cote said he plans to stay in contact with employers, including checking in with students on the job, and the students will make presentations about their experiences on May 26.