Internships for Today's World: A Practical Guide for High Schools and Community Colleges

Educators and employers are increasingly concerned that too many young people do not have the skills needed to succeed as they enter the world of work and higher education. A well-structured, robust internship can help students build those critical work and life skills. Under the protective umbrella of their school students are able to explore and test out potential careers, develop real life, transferrable skills, apply their knowledge in the real world, strengthen relationships with adults and gain a clearer vision of career and educational opportunities. Until now, not much has been available to guide the internship development process. This book is a resource providing the tools needed to develop a quality internship program — linking classroom learning to the real world.

The authors describe practical, field-tested practices, implementation guidelines developed through research, best practices, and all other elements necessary for a quality internship program in high schools and community colleges, from start-up to sustainability. Internships for Today's World is for all those who are concerned today’s young people need a way to develop the skills that will help them succeed in the future.

Joan McLachlan is Director of Internship Quest, LLP and a consultant with Measurement Incorporated where specializes in career program development and research. Joan’s work with internships began almost thirty years ago as project director and trainer, conducting replication trainings and presentations nationwide and directing a team of trainers in replicating a validated internship/ alternative school model across the country.

Patricia Hesscurrently teaches Organizational Behavior at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the graduate and undergraduate programs where she has developed on-line learning courses. Patricia has worked for 25 years with international companies in leadership development, employee education and management training and development, including wide experience in recruitment interviewing for front line customer service roles and entry-level jobs.