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Internship Projects
Developing a Meaningful Internship Project
During internship days, most of our students’ time should be spent working independently on a project related to the mentor’s work. For a REMOTE internship, this project should be something that can be done off-site -- at school or at home.
Some mentors know immediately what a student could be working on, but we expect most of our mentors will collaborate with the student and advisor to design a project that makes sense. We recommend taking ONE of these THREE approaches:
AUTHENTIC PROJECT
Ideally, the student is working on something truly usable by the mentor's organization. Examples:
- creating a promotional video or brochure
- making calls to voters for a political campaign
- drafting online schedules or newsletters
- sorting and analyzing customer or inventory data
- building or making products
- designing an activity for children or seniors
If the mentor does not have work that a teen could authentically tackle, consider a ...
PARALLEL PROJECT
The student tries to do what the mentor does as the mentor is doing it, building competence as they compare their work to the professional work. Examples:
- writing code if the mentor is a software engineer
- preparing a restaurant’s recipes if the mentor is a chef
- creating curriculum if the mentor is a teacher
- making an architectural drawing if the mentor is an architect
- designing a print promotion if the mentor is a graphic designer
If an organization is unable to offer an authentic or parallel project (e.g. work is too hands-on or safety is concern), try ...
PREPARATORY PROJECT
Student simply learns content about the professional's field. The mentor helps the student by suggesting learning topics, reviewing their progress, and emphasizing the importance of that content to the career field. Examples:
- researching the anatomy of cats and dogs if the mentor is a vet
- diagramming how car engines function if the mentor works in a repair shop
- taking an OSHA safety course if the mentor is in a construction trade
- learning Javascript if the mentor is a programmer
- analyzing skin care ingredients if the mentor works in a spa
Still stumped? Mentor, advisor and student should put their heads together and collaborate during a project development meeting early in the internship.
Equal Opportunity Notice
The Issaquah School District complies with all applicable federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities, or employment related matters, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees are designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Executive Director of Human Resources, District Title IX Coordinator, Section 504/ADA Coordinator or Compliance Coordinator for 28A.540 and 28A.642 RCW, in writing or by telephone. The Issaquah School District will also take steps to assure that national origin persons who lack English language skills can participate in all educational programs, services and activities. For information regarding interpretation and translation services or transitional bilingual education programs, contact Kathy Connally in writing or by telephone.
For general information or to be directed to a specific department, please contact the ISD Receptionist at 425-837-7000.
Amanda Dorey, Title IX Coordinator Stacey Zachau, District HIB Coordinator Amanda Dorey, Civil Rights Compliance Officer Pam Ridenour, Section 504 Coordinator
425-837-7000 5150 220th AVE SE, Issaquah, WA 98029