Senior Explorations Internship Handbook 2024

Acknowledgements

BYRAM HILLS HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR EXPLORATIONS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Senior Explorations Internship program represents a collaborative effort among many members of the Byram Hills High School administration, faculty, and staff, both past and present. this program has come into existence and has been sustained through the exceptional commitment of the following professionals:

Dr. Jen Lamia, Superintendent
Dr. Tim Kaltenecker, Assistant Superintendent
Ms. Gina Cunningham, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Chris Walsh, Principal
Ms. Lauren Albert, Assistant Principal
Mr. Jenn Spirelli, Assistant Principal
Mr. Chris Borsari, Former Principal
Mr. John A Chambers, Former Superintendent
Dr. Jacquelyn L. Taylor, Former Superintendent
Dr. William M. Donohue, Former Superintendent
Mr. Robert Croke, Former Program Coordinator

Acknowledgements (cont.)

Sandy Abt
Jock Montgomery
Wendy Dassau
Allan Pryor
Deborah Stampfer
Byram Hills School District Board of Education
Byram Hills High School Student / Faculty Senate
**Special thanks to Allan Pryor for his endeavors as Program Coordinator during the pilot 1998-1999 year of this program.

Jennifer Croke, Program Coordinator
(914) 273-9200 x4984
jcroke@byramhills.org

Jenn Spirelli, Administrative Coordinator
(914) 273-9200 x4921
jspirelli@byramhills.org

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 2-3
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
INTRODUCTION 5-10
2022-2023 IMPORTANT PROGRAM DATES 11
OVERVIEW OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES 12
OVERVIEW OF ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES 13-14
OVERVIEW OF SITE SUPERVISOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES 15
OVERVIEW OF PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES 16
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SENIOR INTERN 17
IBD'S 10 SECRETS TO SUCCESS 18-19
STANDARD INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 20
EMAIL/COVER LETTERS 21
SAMPLE EMAIL/COVER LETTER 22
2023 AP EXAM CALENDAR 23
QUESTIONS 24

Introduction

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Byram Hills Senior Explorations is designed to provide students with the opportunity to become productive and responsible citizens of the 21st century. The program enables students to extend their learning beyond the school. It offers an opportunity for students to apply their high school knowledge and skills to an independent career exploration in an area of personal interest.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the program, students will become more:
* Self-directed, self-reliant, and confident learns,
* Creative thinkers and problem solvers,
* Responsible citizens,
* Effective communicators,
* Collaborative workers, and
* Knowledgeable about careers and their own career interests.

INTERNSHIP PROCESS - ALL OPTIONS
Teachers who have only seniors in their classes become faculty advisors for our students (approximately 35 teachers this year.)

Students are assigned to an advisor in January based on the students' schedules. Faculty advisors will serve as liaisons with parents and sites.

We have three formal meetings with the students throughout the year.

Ms. Croke is available during office hours, lunch, and via email. Ms. Spirelli is available in the main office and via email. Please reach out with any questions!

Introduction (cont.)

SITE SELECTION
Recommended list of sites that have been used by students in the past, advisors have access to this.

Community members contact us to offer internships.

Networking with family, friends, and contacting organizations of interest.

Traditional offerings (politicians/businesses/law firms) are often used.

Areas of pursuit: Philanthropic, College/Career and personal interest.

Introduction (cont.)

GUIDELINES
The internship runs the last five weeks of the school year (May 6th - June 7th).

Students may not intern at a place where they've previously worked, be supervised by a family member, receive compensation, intern where the family has membership, or intern at a private residence (for in-person experiences).

We reserve the right to limit the number of interns at a particular site.

DETAILS
Students who are taking AP classes, peer leaders, Chemistry TAs, and Computer Science TAs get hour reductions per day.

Students who are traveling more than 25 miles to their internship (NY City) get five hours off per week.

Students meet with their faculty advisors in school once each week or virtually to check in on their weekly progress.

Online virtual etiquette is expected.