Professional Internship Program

About the Program

This dynamic internship program offers students the ultimate opportunity to develop essential professional skills while gaining real-world experience. Over the fall semester, students participate in several job shadow experiences across various industries, allowing them to delve into different career paths. In addition to hands-on learning, students engage in resume building, interview preparation, and career exploration activities. During the spring semester, participants intern Monday through Thursday, with a dedicated class every Friday to reflect on their experiences. The course also provides opportunities for community service through client connected projects.

North Kansas City Schools is dedicated to equipping students with skills and experiences for future success. Our Professional Internship Program empowers juniors and seniors to extend learning beyond the classroom through hands-on internships. These experiences develop professional skills, confidence, and adaptability which lay a strong foundation for lifelong achievement.

Interested in Hosting an Intern?

Intern Program Details

Benefits to Hosting an Intern

Trained & Ready-to-Contribute Interns: Students complete 5 months of skill training.

Dedicated Support: Committed, ongoing support throughout the internship.

Fresh Perspectives: Gain innovative insights. Interns can help review marketing and social media strategies and increase team energy.

Future Talent: Observe potential long-term hires, building a talent pipeline.

Productivity Boost: Interns assist with projects and daily operations, enhancing productivity without full-time commitment.

Community Impact: Strengthen ties with the local community and support education, showcasing your organization as community focused.

Expectations of the Hosting Site

Offer Orientation and Training: Introduce the intern to your team, policies, and workspace. Interns can also complete any training or certifications required by your organization.

Designate a Mentor or Supervisor: Assign a mentor for guidance and feedback.

Set Goals and Offer Real-World Experience: Create meaningful tasks aligned with business needs and intern’s professional growth.

Support Professionalism: Evaluate intern progress on Portrait of a Graduate skills and guide interns on professional standards.

Participate in Check-ins: Attend and participate in a brief virtual orientation prior to internship start date and engage in periodic program check-ins with internship team.

Attendance & Recommendation: Confirm attendance and, if appropriate, provide a letter of recommendation.

Important Dates

April - August: Internship Matching - Facilitators reach out to business partners with internship requests
September: Host Site Orientation - Business partner attends virtual orientation meeting with program facilitator
October: Internship Interview - Business partner interviews potential intern(s). Internship placements are confirmed and finalized.
November - December: Internship Preparation - Intern may complete training, paperwork, and/or orientation at business partner's discretion
January - May: Internship Duration - Interns actively participate in their internships
April: Capstone Presentations - Interns present their capstone projects to the business partner.

Students sit at a table listening to a speaker off screen

Looking for more information about Work Based Learning opportunities? Check out our Work Based Learning page for more information.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Contact Us

Our internship teachers are well equipped to answer any of your questions and look forward to providing additional details about the Professional Internship Program. Please reach out to either of our internship teachers listed below.

Andrew Smithson Sara Havermann

andrew.smithson@nkcschools.org sara.havermann@nkcschools.org

816-321-0643 816-321-6941

READY TO HOST?

Internship experiences are based on student interests. Since placement is based on student need, we cannot guarantee every organization that wants an intern will have a student placed there. The internship teachers will begin contacting host sites in April, once students have identified the career field that fits them best. If you are interested in hosting please submit your request by clicking below!

Submit aN Intern Request

McCown Gordon Internship Highlights

click here to apply for the professional internship program

The application window for NKCSD rising juniors and seniors is typically October-March