Internship Program 2022-23: Meaningful Learning Outside of the Classroom

Last Trimester, 21 of our Juniors and Seniors were placed at 18 different internship sites throughout the city of Chicago. After completing their 12-week internships, students had the opportunity to showcase their learning and celebrate their experience at our first-ever Internship Expo.

Posted: March 21, 2023

Internship Program Overview

We know the most meaningful learning often happens outside of the classroom in authentic, work-based experiences. This is why every high school student participates in at least one internship during their time at Bennett. This unique opportunity provides students with valuable, real-world experiences and ensures our students graduate with foundational job skills and a stronger understanding of the careers they hope to pursue.

Our 12-week internship program totals ~150 hours, and students report to their sites for 2.5 hours Monday through Friday. During their internship, students collaborate with the Internship Coordinator and their Site Supervisor to develop a Training Plan that outlines their specific goals. Students then receive formal written and verbal feedback from their Site Supervisor on their progress and goals throughout the experience.

Through their work as interns, our students learn by doing real work and provide valuable contributions to businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies throughout the city.

2022-23 Internship Sites

Last Trimester, 21 of our Juniors and Seniors were placed at 18 different internship sites throughout the city of Chicago. Some of these opportunities were paid, and half of our interns were invited to continue their experience with a job this summer!

Internship Expo

Our students were placed all throughout the city. Some wore hard hats to document construction sites in the loop, while others designed homes in Lincoln Park. A few worked in a Michelin-star restaurant in the West Loop. Some walked down the street to create prototypes at an innovation hub, and others traveled by bus, car, and train to visit a pharmacy lab in Michigan.

Show What You Know: Internship Expo 2023

After completing their 12-week internships, students had the opportunity to showcase their learning and celebrate their experience at our first-ever Internship Expo.

Internship Expo

Attendees had the chance to speak with each student one-on-one, ask questions, and view real examples of the work students had done during their internship (some even got to try food from Ever, a Michelin-star restaurant in the West Loop).

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Community Connections

We are so grateful for the connections within our own Bennett community that played an instrumental role in placing our students at their Internship Sites. Some of our families took a chance on hosting a high school student at their own work or recommending them somewhere else. 

Thank You, Internship Site Supervisors

None of these incredible opportunities would have been possible without our Internship Site Supervisors. Thank you to…

Lauren from ThinkCerca

ThinkCERCA | Personalized Close Reading & Argumentative Writing Lessons

Julie from Christopher House

Christopher House – Helping families thrive.

Amy, Lucas, and Justin from Ever

ever logo 2

Linlee from AK Custom Homes

AK Custom Homes – Chicago's Premier Luxury Developers

Ria from Network for College Success 

UChicago Network for College Success | Carnegie Foundation for the  Advancement of Teaching

Emily from State Representative Guzzardi’s District Office

State Rep. Will Guzzardi

Devin from Home Infusion Options

Home Infusion Options

Mercedes from Farr Associates

FARR ASSOCIATES

Patrick from Imagine-it-Tech and mHub

imagine itCareers

Anthony from Core Physical Therapy 

Core Physical Therapy Logo

Alex from West Town Bikes

West Town Bikes – Youth on Bikes

Ashley from Music House 

Music House - Home | Facebook
Pat from GVN Performance

gvn performance

Meg from Hoerr Schaudt

hoerr schaudt
Jailen from Red Clay Dance Company

Red Clay Dance Company
McKensie and Sam from Bennett Day School 

BDS wordmark_navy

 

Last, but not least, thank you to 11th Grade student Ruqayyah for organizing the Internship Expo, and to our 12th Grade student, Jasmin, for designing the Internship Expo graphics.


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