Students from Lancaster High School’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program are putting their skills and knowledge to the test as they intern in departments across the district.
The 24 student interns are from several programs of study within CTE, including Business Management, Digital Communications, Design and Multimedia Arts, Education and Training, Engineering, and Healthcare Diagnostics. They’ll spend the remainder of the current semester working with professionals across Lancaster ISD.
The interns will use the skills they’ve acquired in their CTE courses and apply them to real-life situations in their placements within the district.
“Our CTE programs of study are built to prepare students for high wage, high-demand occupations throughout the metroplex and beyond,” said Sheila Benskin, Director of Career and Technical Education in Lancaster ISD. “The paid in-district internship program allows the students to work under the guidance of our in-district industry professionals and gain practical experience.”
Students are also receiving first-hand experience with Lancaster ISD’s hiring and interview process as they go through the internship application process. After CTE instructors shared information about the internship program, interested students applied on the district website. Students were interviewed by the CTE Department and were hired for the program. Within a few weeks, students were working in their assigned departments.
Internship Site Supervisors, like Patonia Bell, Chief of Data and Accountability, say they want to provide a real-world experience for the interns to prepare them for life after graduation.
“My task as a site supervisor is to give interns the exposure they need to succeed in the real world,” said Bell. “I am intentional about the projects they work on while considering the talents and abilities they already have. I determine how I can build upon those talents to help them achieve their personal career goals.”
“I am grateful to learn from Ms. Bell,” said senior Chancey Applewhite. “I want to be a Business Administration Manager. Since working under Ms. Bell, I’ve improved my organizational and time management skills and learned to complete tasks correctly and efficiently. By the end of the internship, I feel I’ll be ready to take the next step toward my career.”
The internship program tailors each student’s experience based on their CTE courses and post-graduation plans.
“I’m happy to work in my school district, learn from the employees, and meet new people,” said Jordan Lindsay, a senior working with the Lancaster ISD Communications Department. “I want to pursue a career in broadcast journalism, so being able to cover events, interview people, and write stories will help prepare me for a job in that industry. The internship program is another resource helping me succeed.”
Interns interested in becoming educators are working at Pleasant Run Elementary to gain classroom experience. Others are working with the Lancaster ISD Technology department at the IT Help Desk, getting behind-the-scenes experience to learn how technology helps our district run smoothly. Other interns support various teachers at Lancaster High School. Interns interested in joining the healthcare field are working with campus nurses for hands-on learning about nursing.
“It’s an amazing environment that provides an opportunity for growth,” said September Jones, senior CTE Nursing Intern. “I’m excited to be a part of the district internship program and earn my OSHA certificate. This will help open doors for me upon graduation, and I’m thankful to be part of the first internship group.”
The CTE internship program will assist students in earning industry certifications, including Certified Patient Care Technician, Adobe Certified Premiere Pro, and Entrepreneurship Small Business. Click here for more information about how the CTE department is preparing students for success after graduation.
Lancaster ISD is proud to provide district internship opportunities for our students, and we look forward to continuing the internship program each school year.