SHS Journalism: "Lessons Beyond the Classroom"

By: Natalee Boutelle

Kenadie Garloch interning at St. Vincent-Salem Hospital.

High school is a place where students learn who they are and what they want to do after graduation. One of the ways Salem High School helps seniors test the ideas of what they want to do is through an internship class. This class is designed to help students discover what they would like to do after school by providing real-life experiences in a career field.

Junior/senior counselor Kevin Alberton said the senior internship program offers individuals a chance to see new fields or update their skills. Often, interns bring valuable experience and a mature perspective to their roles. 

These internships provide seniors with opportunities to remain active, learn new skills and explore different careers. 

“We have a class to help students find what they want to do after school,” said Albertson. “It is a good way to see real-life experience in the field.” 

Internships help them build responsibility, confidence and job skills. It also helps seniors prepare for life after high school. 

"My internship is teaching me how to market and advertise things,” said senior Mackenzie Gill, who is interning at Walnut Ridge Taxes. 

This program also gives students opportunities to learn new skills and expose them to work environments. 

Senior Alexis Maudlin interns at Salem-St. Vincent Hospital. 

"Working with all different kinds of sick people and seeing a bunch of different things that you wouldn't see on a regular basis is the best thing for me,” she said. She plans to become a radiology technician after high school. 

Albertson said the school tries to help students go anywhere to intern and see what they like or if that is what they want to do. 

This year, the State of Indiana put new graduation pathways in place for the freshman class. They have to meet a certain amount of volunteer hours to graduate. Volunteering helps them with teamwork, leadership and management skills. Starting early in high school, they learn to build good habits and experiences. Freshmen who are required to complete these hours, learn responsibility and the importance of giving back to the community.