Every spring our seniors take a firsthand look at life beyond high school, as they are released from class to pursue two-week internships with businesses and nonprofit organizations. During these Senior Internships, students explore or expand upon a field of interest, and see how skills learned in school can be applied to the workplace. The internships are also an opportunity for students to give back to their community and build relationships between the school and businesses.

Working with the faculty coordinator, seniors are responsible for setting their practicum goals and finding their own placement in the business or nonprofit world. On returning to school, they write a paper about the experience and make a public presentation to the school community.

The following are a selection of recent Senior Internships:

Assistant to staff in Office of State Senator Thomas McGee, Boston

Intern at Full Contact Advertising Agency, Boston

Volunteer at Covenent Ministries Orphanage in Reynosa, Mexico

Internship at Equine Rehabilitation Center in Salinas, California

Volunteers at Camphill Communities for children and adults with learning disabilities, PA and NY

Internship in animal care at Boston MSPCA Shelter

Intern at WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program, Cambridge

Volunteer at Brattle Theater, Cambridge

Intern at Early Education School, Malden

Volunteer at the Farm School, Athol

Internship in music production at Pluto Music Group, Watertown

"I decided to volunteer at the Farm School because I wanted to be a part of a small farm. The idea of harvesting the land and living with the animals one uses in every day life has always intrigued me. The simplicity of this life, lacking many modern nuisances, appealed to me greatly. And I was looking forward to the feeling of complete contentment after a full day's work on the farm. I'd had that experience when I visited the Farm School as a ninth and tenth grader, and I wanted to go back for the experience of hard, worthwhile work and the beautiful, pristine countryside.

My stay at the farm exceeded all of my expectations. I learned more in those two weeks of my life than in any other two weeks ever. I felt that I matured so much. I had a taste of living on my own, in a community other than my family or school. I loved the feeling that I was solely responsible for myself, and that I was respected and known so well by the farm staff. I also learned a great deal, not just about living in a community, but also about running a small farm. A big accomplishment was finding the balance between being a friend to the children who visited and also being their teacher."--Cade Eastman, at The Farm School in Athol, MA

"At the Breed Middle School, I observed many classes and got to teach some on my own. I worked with one of the school's top teachers; without such an excellent mentor, my experience would have been far different.

I really got a feel for what it is like to be a teacher. I came into the school thinking I wanted to become an English teacher, but now I realize that I would like to pursue teaching English as a second language. I would highly recommend an internship for high school students. I feel it is important for students who are heading into a new phase in their life to have a taste of what their career choices can be. I would have liked a longer internship, but even two weeks can open your eyes to things that were in the shadows before you started."--Lara Dimidjian, the Breed Middle School in Lynn, MA

"When I was first given the opportunity to have an internship at a place of my own choosing, I was flooded with ideas. I already knew that I wanted to be a nurse, so a hospital was clearly the best choice. I researched volunteer opportunities at several hospitals, but found out that most required a three-month commitment. My internship needed to be completed in two weeks, so agreeing to three months wasn't exactly what I wanted to do. My teacher, Ms. Kelley, made a connection at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and so I was able to have an appointment with the Volunteer Director and work out a shorter stay.

My work in the Gastroenterology Unit has strengthened ten-fold my desire to help people through the practice of medicine. I am now sure that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life."--Maeve White, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center