Executive Internship at UHS
“The internship is great because it allows students to learn different things in different field of work,” said Intern Carly Johnson.
Students are placed in an internships, the internship is related to the career interest field. Students are able to go to their placements during the school day; in either the morning or the afternoon, and in even some cases the middle of the school day.
“I think any time UHS can provide students with real-life experiences that are relevant to their future goals and life after high school. We are doing something special for kids,” said Principal Dr. Laura Taylor.
This program has been at UHS since 1980. Sherrick has been a coordinator of internship for while. “Ms. Sherrick has done an exceptional job with the program and the students are fortunate to have her as their guide as they embark on new and exciting endeavors,” said Taylor.
In the past student have interned at the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. “I loved that I got to spend half of my day doing what I love. I was around the animals and learning stuff that would apply to my future. I gained so much knowledge of vet med and just what life would really be like if I went into that profession. ,” said former intern Marissa Marroneof the class of 2010.
The students spend 12 hours a week at their placement site. Interns not only get field experience they also learn how to write resumes, create a professional portfolio, learn the organizational structure of interviews, create, transcript summaries, and project presentations.
This year Sherrick has 12 executive interns this year, ranging in fields from theater to accounting. “I am doing internship so I can gain experience and knowledge of the profession I want to do in the future,” said Intern Kashala McCain.
Students can apply for the Executive Internship program in the spring of their junior year. They are selected based on their academic accomplishments, teacher recommendations, leadership skills, application and their interview.
Before they leave for summer break juniors will find out if they are accepted into the program. In the fall the intern will start going to seminar they will help students prepare such as for interviewing.
“The Internship provides a wonderful opportunity for a student to learn if they are truly interested in a specific career path. This experience provides the interns with professional contacts and connections within our community to use as future resources,” said Kristine Sherrick.
On September 13, Parkland College hosted the Illinois College Exposition in their gymnasium, from 6:00 p.m to 8:00p.m. Over forty in state and out of state colleges and universities attend the exposition.
“It was very informative, I talked to some representatives who gave me advice on their programs,” said Urbana High School Senior Heather Shrum.
There was a vast diversity in the type of schools that attended the exposition including: Olivet Nazarene University, Paul Mitchell School, United States Air Force Academy, and Butler University.
The various schools were set up in aisles, so student and their parents could walk down the aisles. Student could receive information about the school as well as talk to college representatives. “It think it’s important (the fair) so students know about the different choices that are out there for colleges and universities,” said Shrum.
The exposition was hosted by Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling– which our own counselor Samuel Furrer is a member of. The IACAC is a branch of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. “It was really helpful, I feel that I got to go to all the colleges I wanted to, and I received a lot of information,” said UHS Senior Kelsey Tatman.
For more information about the Illinois College Exposition, the IACAC, the NACAC, or the Urbana High School Guidance Department, go to http://www.usd116.org/uhs/
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