For years senior internships have been offered to the students of Chapin High School. However, this year internships have been taken away from students because of lack of participation. Mrs. Pillow explains the situation.

“Last year fewer than 16 students registered for the course. Our District guidelines require us to have at least 16 students registered for a class in order to offer that class.  Since we had fewer, we dropped that course for this school year. ”

If students don’t sign up to intern then those who wanted to intern won’t get the chance to. And that is making students upset. Senior Carli Sims was one of the few students who did sign up for an internship and is disappointed she didn’t get the chance to intern.

“With interning I would have been able to devote the time I now spend after school, at work, to my studies.”

However, if students continue to fail to sign up for internships there is always another option for those who actually want to intern. And that is Job Shadowing.

Job Shadowing is a one day event in which students follow around someone from their job of choice. This is similar to Senior Interning in that it allows students to see whether or not they want to go into that field of study in college. But it isn’t as beneficial as interning because it’s only for one day and students don’t get the hands on experience they would if they interned. Sims agrees.

“Job Shadowing is not an acceptable substitution for internships. Shadowing lasts one day, while interning gives the student the opportunity to hold down a real job for an extended amount of time.”

There are many benefits to internships for students looking forward to go to college and for future jobs. Internships look great on college applications, which is why many students in the past have taken the opportunity to intern at jobs they have interests in. Colleges like when students peruse interests in their field of study. It allows them to see that the students are really interested in their job of choice and that they are also serious about it.

Not only do internships look good on college applications but they also give students real world experience. It allows them to learn and allows them to make sure they actually like their future job. It is better than to learn now than halfway through college.

Junior Michaela Rule encourages other juniors to sign up for Senior Internships.

“I really want to intern next year and without other juniors signing up I won’t be able to. It’s a great opportunity so I don’t see why more students don’t sign up.”

Internships are nothing but helpful to students at Chapin and it’s a great learning tool. It’s a shame that more students do not grab at the opportunities internships provide.