SUMMER Internship
In Summer 2022, Beacon of Hope piloted the High School Summer Internship program to connect students with businesses and industries across the city through a paid, experiential opportunity.
The internship is structured into three modules:
Job Readiness Students complete a full training module prior to being on-site. Training topics include professional identities, professional dress, communication and conflict resolution, strengths and personality assessments, resume development, establishing a strong financial foundation, and networking. On-Site Experiences Students spend approximately 50 hours on-site at their internship location, shadowing professionals and learning about the industry as a whole. Based on the company, students either receive a holistic view rotating through different departments or specialize on a project within a specific department. Conclusion and Reflection A core part of the program is the opportunity to share and reflect with other interns. Beacon of Hope Near Peer Mentors and staff guide reflection activities designed to strengthen the interns’ professional development and share more about each industry to the at-large group. Interview Process To ensure the best internship experience for both student and business, students participate in an Interview Day. After students indicate interest in their application, they are scheduled for small group interviews for their top five businesses. At the end of the Interview Day, students and businesses are asked to preference their choices. The Beacon team then matches them accordingly to create the best matches across the board. Mentorship
Beacon hires former Lynchburg City School students and current Scholars to serve as mentors for high school students. The implementation of these mentors in Summer 2023 was pivotal for the program. Not only does it provide an additional connection for the intern, but it provides leadership and professional development for the mentor as well.
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