1. PITCH IT HOW T Pitching the Benefits
of a student internship opportunity
To prospective business partners

2. 1 Find partners with a shared Goal
Finding a business partner that has a vested interest in the community and the school system is the key to a successful internship. We are lucky in Canby that we have a very involved community who support our students and the Canby School District.
The first steps in setting up an internship program is lining up potential partners. We have done this In a number of different ways:
The first and simplest way was to look at what resources we currently had.
Because we complete over 500 job shadows a year for our sophomore class, over the years we have created a database of over 800 business partners. Who better to contact than someone who has previously hosted one of our students.
Secondly, three times a year we host mock interviews for our Future Focus Classes - when we bring business leaders in to assist with the mock interviews, this is a great opportunity to pitch the idea of the business hosting a student. During the breaks try to walk around and speak to businesses about the internship program and how easy it is to get started.
Third - Get involved with Chamber of Commerce. Scheduled a time early in the year to present at the Chamber Luncheon – show a brief slideshow – explain what is being offered. Make it short and sweet and end by saying something like…“this is a good thing for you, for Canby and four our future business leaders”.
Its should be noted that initial contact should always be by phone or in person. It’s okay to initially potential partners, but most success comes from face to face meetings. If your foot gets in the door, success can usually be found for students. A business might say “well, I don’t know that we could offer something to you on a continual basis at this point, but I know we could host someone for a day or two for a job shadow” DING DING…..so in about 3-5 months, the next contact would happen.

3. Businesses want to know…2
The
PITCH
Businesses want to know…
what’s in it for ME?
So now we have established the initial contact with the business – we have a meeting set up – now it’s time for the PITCH.
What do you think the first thing that prospective interns want to know about a possible internship? They want to know “what’s in it for me?!” They want to know; “Am I getting paid?”, “Do I earn credit for the internship?”, “How about a free lunch, do I get lunch?”….The list could go on and on……
Well, it’s no different then a prospective business partner. They, too, want to know “what’s in it for me?!”
Also stress the importance of the business partner someday looking to HIRE THE INTERN. We want the business to look to the intern before hiring outside sources.
Most of our CTE instructors at Canby High School have assisted pitchng these internships for Canby High School. Who better to speak to a specific program, but the teacher who is teaching it?

4. Get it in
Writing! 3
We have had our internship meeting and have agreed on a number of different things…..what’s next? It’s important for all the parties involved to agree on the learning objectives, expectations, and time commitment for each type of internship. What skills and knowledge should students get from an internship? How often will mentors and students meet and for how long, and is there a final project involved? What is expected of student interns in terms of behavior, attire, and responsibilities? Where will you “put” the intern?
Acquiring this information takes time. I sometimes or speak to a business partner 3-5 times before we have a plan in writing. Once we have agreed on all of the elements of the plan, it’s fairly simple. The plan should clearly identify and define SKILL OBJECTIVES and MEASURABLE INDICATORS. In short, it is really nothing more than a fancy JOB DESCRIPTION. Once this is established, the Internship Plan is created.
Canby High School’s plan a shared form that originated through our partnership with Clackamas Community College Smart Internship program since our students receive college credit for their internships.

5. 4 Communication This internship is so easy….
I wish I would have hired an intern long ago!
Even a signed Internship Plan is no guarantee of smooth sailing. The internship coordinator/team needs to establish regular communication with students and supervisors at the internship site. We think of this as” progress reports”. Another thing I always tell our business partners is that “NOTHING IS SET IN STONE”. If a student was working out in the beginning, but as the internship progressed, things were not going as well – they do not have to continue to employ the intern. One thing that is most important to note before ever placing a student is whether or not a student is MOTIVATED. Participation for the internship should only be directed at MOTIVATED STUDENTS.
REMEMBER! A student seeking an internship is looking for an opportunity to apply ideas learned at school to real situations. The internship coordinator and teachers should therefore make sure that the work the student will be doing will be more than busywork, that it will provide opportunities for the student to apply learning in new ways. While some work may be tedious, ideally it will lead to significant, or at least interesting, results and most importantly TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS!
Internship coordinators and teachers need to check in regularly with student interns to ensure that they understand why they are doing what they are doing.
An easy way we do this is that at the beginning of each month our Student’s timesheets are due. This gives the Internship Coordinator, an opportunity to check-in with the intern to make sure that things are going well and that the project or work that the student is doing is relevant.

6. Sustainability 5

7. 6 It doesn’t happen vernight!
Building effective and lasting partnerships takes time. So instead of attempting the go-it-alone route, seek out support from a respected community leader. Find some key businesses in your area that you have some connection with the schools or wish to have a connection.
Go to the Chamber luncheons, and the Rotary meetings and visit the civic leaders and groups in your community. Ask them for help in generating a buzz for lining up prospective partners.
Canby High School principal sends out a weekly Listserve to subscribers. Each time this is sent out to our parents or business patrons, the Internship Coordinator receives 2-3 new requests regarding information and how they can get involved.
Ask students and parents to spread the word. You never know whose brother-in-law or retired neighbor would be thrilled to mentor a student or develop an internship program at work.

8. Here’s a students’ perspective of what a successful internship
Back, back, back…
GONE!
Here’s a students’ perspective of what a successful internship
looks like!