Braintree High School offers an internship program for seniors to give opportunities and experience for where their future may lead them.
“3 years ago we received a grant who originally reached out to Dr. Scully to run this internship program,” explained Mr. Mazza, current BHS guidance counselor and adviser of internship.
Through the internships, Braintree High School has been able to offer and have their students involved in internships such as Morrison Elementary School, East Middle School, Braintree Town Hall, and a local IT/cyber security place. Every year, the opportunities for students change based on their interests.
“Right now [internship] is only for seniors. Seniors get sent an interest survey around course selection time of junior year and fill that out of what they are interested in. I go through the list… I start reaching out to potential hosts for students.”
Senior Isabella Hogan was interested in the internship program, and for her, her placement was a great match.
“I work at town hall at the Braintree community compartment center and help them in mental health and alcoholic policy, design infographics, zoom meetings… we learn about alcohol, and the plan is to go to the Massachusetts State House in February to advocate for mental health.”
Besides getting to leave school, students who are involved in internships are able to gain a parallel schedule of the work force to gain real-world experiences.
“Everyday it changes. So 2 days in the week I do not go as it [Townhall] opens at 830. I leave for 2 periods of the day. In the middle of the day, i’ll eat lunch, so I am out of school for 2 hours and I drive to town hall I have my own office I have my own space.”
Many seniors in the internship program are appreciative of the opportunities and skills they are getting through work as they gain experience in their desired field of interest.
“This past summer I got to work in Braintree High with the summer preschool program, and now I have an internship in the integrated preschool working with some of the same kids I worked with this past summer,” shared Hailey Richman, a Braintree High School senior.
Hailey is planning to study elementary education in college, so gaining as much hands-on experience is the goal for her. During her junior year, Hailey took the preschool 1 to really get a feel for her future. But, even with taking preschool 2 this year, having an internship has taken her experience to a whole new level.
“I am really grateful for my internship; getting to work in the building in the integrated preschool has really given me the experience of what working after college may look for me.”
So far, the Braintree High School internship program has been a positive experience for all parties involved, with only the hope for this program to expand and grow in the coming years as Mr. Mazza shared.
“Internship year is still growing; it is separate but also connected if we can create relationships with these host sites.“
