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What are the benefits to holding a post-internship activity?
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There are two main reasons why a post-internship activity is beneficial. The first is that it reinforces the learning that occurred during the internship. The lessons that a student has learned; certain technical skills and employability skills, as well as other competencies during the internship, can be further �cemented� into the students� mind by placing the student in a situation where they report on their experience. This could be in a written form, such as in a report to their classmates, the development of a portfolio, which contains, among other things, a resume, results from a research project in which the student was involved during the internship, and other information which the student must recall and put together in a formal package, or in a more formal presentation to classmates, teachers, internship providers, parents and others, in a banquet-type setting. Many Academy programs around the country formalize this process, creating an �event� which is fun for all parties involved, and extremely beneficial for both the students and the internship providers. The second reason is to help determine what, if any, improvements can be made in the internship experience. Having a student report on their experience, and then analyzing the �gap� between their perception of the experience, and the employers� perception, helps tailor future internship positions to better suit all parties.
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How can a post-internship activity help ascertain whether the internship was successful for the student?
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The student, the school and the employer must be clear on how a �successful� internship is defined. Hopefully, this was done in the Preparation and Planning phase, before the internship began. Each stakeholder will have their own goals, some (or most) of which will overlap, and some of which will be exclusive to the individual stakeholder. An internship is �successful� when all the individual stakeholders� goals are achieved. Both the student, and the employer should prepare an internship review document (see Internship �Gap Analysis Review� document in Appendix __). If prepared honestly, this will give the employer an idea of how well the student intern enjoyed the experience. Did it meet or exceed his/her expectations? What would the student liked to have seen or experienced, which he/she didn�t? By analyzing the �gap� between the students� perception and the employer�s experience, future internship positions can be modified to better suit both the employer and the student, future internship goals can be determined, and the Preparation and Planning for subsequent years� internship positions becomes easier.
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Who pays for a post-internship �event?�
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The post-internship event is typically paid for using a variety of funds. The Academy may have some funds of its own, which can be used. Advisory Board members may raise all or a portion of the funding as part of their strategic plan�s budgeted items. A hotel, reception hall, banquet facility, Chamber of Commerce, or other facility may be willing to donate the space for such an event. A restaurant may also be willing to donate, or reduce the cost of a meal, which may be served. The �event� doesn�t necessarily have to be expensive. Any event that pulls the students, teachers, parents, and internship provider companies together, to celebrate the internship experience, is a plus.
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What should be presented to the students?
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Every Academy makes their own decision as to whether the students or internship providers receive any recognition award. Many Academies present a certificate of internship completion to their students, and a certificate of appreciation to their internship providers. Often, the student intern introduces their internship supervisor to the rest of the audience, and makes a personal presentation to them. Conversely, the internship provider may present the completion certificate to the student. This event is a celebration, and anything that recognizes and rewards the successful completion is appropriate. Motivational cards, posters, photos, etc. from an establishment like Successories, may be appropriate. Use your imagination!
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Can the provider of a successful internship continue the relationship with the intern, through part-time work during the senior year, and beyond?
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Internship providers often have developed a relationship with the intern, which survives and flourishes long after the internship period is through. It is really up to the individual intern, and provider to extend the relationship. This can be done in a number of different ways, including continued employment with the company during the student�s senior. Many schools provide early release for seniors, so they may work during weekday afternoons. Some internship provider companies have offered interns an extended employment position, during the summer while they are attending college. Some employers may then �sweeten� the relationship with an offer to pay for some of the student�s tuition or books. Ultimately, many employers have developed such a strong continuing relationship with their interns, that they return to the employer following graduation from college, as full time employees.
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Have any internships resulted in longer term employees for the internship provider company?
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This is certainly up to the employer, and the intern, but many long term, full time employment positions have been filled by interns who have been �nurtured� by their internship company, and ultimately hired full time. The key is finding the right intern, and developing a relationship with that student as they continue to progress in high school, and on through college.
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