WORKFORCE
I N T E R N S H I P
P R O G R A M
senior intern
program
Made possible by the
A collaboration between FHUSD
and
your Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce
Business Guide
In collaboration with the Fountain Hills Unified School District, the Senior Intern Program
is one of four options offered to graduating seniors that help the student to fulfill their
graduation requirements.
FHUSD program requirements may be found on the next page.
As your Chamber of Commerce, we believe the most powerful option available is the
ability for the student to intern with a local Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce member
business or member non-profit organization.
This program is targeted to prepare students for their future, allowing them to gain
valuable, real-world experience.
To ensure the success of the Senior Intern Program and Intern Fair, the Fountain Hills
Chamber of Commerce, business liaison for the program, has set forth essential
procedures for businesses and organizations interested in participating.
All participating members MUST:
Be current, active FH Chamber members in good standing.
Register and attend the Intern Fair on Tuesday September 17, 2024, 10 am-12 pm
at the High School Gymnasium. Register online at www.fhchamber.com
Prepare in advance and present to students at the fair, a one-sheet description of the
internship opportunity available at your establishment.
Read & Watch Best Practices Training video and return waiver on page 14 of this
booklet. Businesses working with youth under age of 18 are required to confirm they
have read the information and watched the video training, designed to ensure
positive, safe experiences of young interns during their respective placement.
Kristin Milashoski & Betsy
La Voie can be contacted at
480.837.1654 for questions or inquiries
related to the Senior Intern Program or
the Intern Fair.
Made possible by the
Employment will be an option on an as
needed basis and by approval ONLY
Senior Internship
4 Options
1. Unpaid Internship
2. EVIT
3. Alternative Research Project
4. Job / Employment
40 Hours of documented internship
The employability course will count
towards two of their hours
Internship will be in an area of interest
Presentation at the end of the year
Unpaid Internship
EVIT
Students will complete an
employability skills course to be
turned in electronically
Verification of EVIT enrollment and
completion
Presentation at the end of the year
Alternative Research Project
Projects will be approved as needed
by Administration
Minimum of 40 hours
Job/ Employment
Requirements
Career Aptitude Test
Online Communication
Basic Employability Course
Presentation
Deadline
Presentation
All hours must be completed before
February 18, 2025
Student presentations at school in
April, TBA
A well designed internship program provides the student with great
first-hand exposure to the work they could do in the future and the
environment they might operate in. As a business owner or non-
profit organization, intern programs are less about the output of the
intern or the programs’ usefulness to the organization.
This internship program should aim to give your intern(s) a
comprehensive view of work.
Ensure that the projects they work on are not mission critical.
A good rule of thumb is to keep expectations lower in terms of
performance, after all the intern is likely just beginning to explore
what opportunities are available to them!
As a local business or organization committed to fostering the
development of the next generation of leaders, be mindful of the
example you are setting. In your role, you will be guiding a young
adult, likely 17 or 18 years of age. Do you remember being this age?
Be a good mentor or make sure the intern is assigned with someone
at your organization who is.
Congrats!
you've decided to host an intern!
Recognize the need to coach your intern(s) on soft skills
like behavior and business etiquette like how to dress at
your business and how to greet your customers.
Pro Tip:
Shine!
facilitate a program that lets them
Who benefits from the Senior Intern Program?
The intern. When a business partakes in an intern program simply for their own
benefit, things tend to go wrong. Your intern program should create access and
opportunity. As a mentor to the intern(s), you can assign projects or tasks that allow
them to showcase their skills and creativity, setting them up to shine.
Begin with the end in mind.
Help define your interns final school presentation with what they have learned while at
your business through observation, your sharing of knowledge & soft skills acquired.
When it's all said and done, what knowledge would you want the intern to walk away with?
creating your program
step 1
step 2
Do your objectives encompass the 6 key components of the FHUSD Senior Intern Program:
Collaboration
Communication
Self- directed
Leadership
Responsibility
Critical thinking skills
Define a minimum of 3 learning objectives for your intern; create 3 ways those
objectives can be met. See Internship WorkPlan Document. Consider the time needed
to achieve your objectives. Is it reasonable for a young adult?
step 3
WORKFORCE
I N T E R N S H I P
P R O G R A M
The Intern Fair
FHUSD gymnasium
WHERE:
- Your business table cloth
- Business signage
-Give aways like candy/snacks, foam stress balls, etc?
(Not necessary but may be a conversation starter.)
-Pens
-Create a student contact list or form (name, phone number & email)
-Your general Business brochure
-A friendly, fun, welcoming demeanor to the students
***Most Importantly,
a one sheet description of your business and type of intern you desire. If you
have planned an idea of the intern opportunity/s available at your
establishment, you may include it also.
-What else will you need?
This is your chance to make an impression on students looking for a potential career in
your industry.
WHAT TO BRING:
Tues. 9/17/2024 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Chamber Member businesses and organizations and FHUSD HIgh Seniors
WHO:
WHEN:
WHY:
Give us real work
Do what you say, say what you do
We like feedback
We want to be included too
Please explain
Interns want to work and learn- it’s that simple.
Be honest with your interns about what they can expect during their
internship. Honesty doesn’t cost you anything, and it will make the interns
feel respected.
Remember interns are students. It’s likely they don’t have the business skills
and experiences you do. If your intern makes an oversight, kindly explain how
the situation should be handled differently in the future.
Is there a staff meeting they can attend? Can they tag along to that meeting
or office luncheon? Include them in the daily life of your workplace.
Do give a detailed explanation when assigning work. While the work may seem
trivial or obvious to you, it may not be to someone who’s not done it before.
ENTIALS
Business
ESS
senior intern
program
Top concerns of interns
Top concerns of interns (cont.)
I want a mentor
A minute of your time, please
I need a chair
Make sure that interns have a mentor or supervisor to provide guidance. Make
it someone who truly likes to teach, and the experience will be even better.
As newcomers, interns may not speak up if they’re feeling ignored or if they
need help. Make sure you, the designated mentor, or any staff are checking
in with the intern. A simple “How’s it going? Do you have any questions?” can
go a long way!
Be prepared
The day has arrived and the intern goes to start their internship only to
learn that no one knew they were coming or there hasn’t been a work space
created for them. Brief your staff of their arrival and departure schedule
and help the intern get started on a positive note.
Where will your intern sit? Where should they park? How should they access
your building. Can they put their snack or lunch in the fridge? Be sure to give
them an overview, introductions and orientation.
ENTIALS
Business
ESS
senior intern
program
In summary: The following seven standards must be met in order to establish that an
intern qualifies to work unpaid:
1. The employer and intern both clearly understand there is no expectation of
compensation. If compensation is implied or promised, the intern is then considered an
employee. 2. The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of
the employer, is similar training which would be given in an educational environment. 3.
The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern and their formal education,
tying in integrated coursework or receipt of academic credit.4. The intern does not
displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff; 5. The
internship accommodates the interns academic commitments and schedule. 6. The
internship is limited to the time period in which the intern is provided with beneficial
learning. 7. The employer and the intern understand the intern is not entitled to wages
for the time spent in the internship at its conclusion.
(U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division)