Internships & Work-Based Learning
Earning elective credit through these options gives students the ability to continue to grow and learn skills that will help them in the future while, at the same time, earn high school course credit. We strive to provide exceptional opportunities for all our students. We have community partnerships, Epic departments and various program courses to ensure students can locate a good fit.
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An internship is a professional position where a student works in an organization, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification.
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Work-Based Learning/ Work Study is an education strategy that provides students with real-life work experience where they apply academic and technical skills to develop their employability.
Available Programs
Epic Virtual Internship Program
Epic Virtual Internship Program courses are available to Juniors and Seniors looking to fulfill their Next Step course requirement. Depending on the course, students will either prepare to take an industry backed certification exam, research and focus on a specific career or hone professional preparedness. Across all courses, students develop 21st century skills setting them apart from other high school graduates. There are three course tracks: Certification, Career Exploration, and Fast Track (8-weeks). Students earn elective credit towards high school graduation when they engage in one of these courses, meet weekly for zoom class and complete all the required assignments.
Internship
An onsite or remote internship is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work related to a student’s field of study or career interest. It gives the student the opportunity for career exploration and development, and to learn new skills. Students earn elective credit when they participate in an internship, complete 60 hours of work, and complete additional assignments. Epic offers multiple types of internships including Epic Department and Community Internships as well as Individualized Internship opportunities
Work Based Learning/Work-Study
Work-based learning is an education strategy that provides students with real-life work experiences where they can apply academic and technical skills and develop their employability. Students earn elective credit when they participate in an internship, complete 60 hours of work, and complete additional assignments.
Alternative Internship
This course is designed for OAAP students in grades 11 and 12 and provides an avenue for course credit as an internship that focuses specifically on the students' transition plan. The course equips learners with practical strategies to improve interpersonal, written, and digital communication in both professional and personal settings. Participants will build confidence in active listening, clear messaging, and adaptive communication styles, with hands-on activities and real-world applications.
Guidelines
Will it be an approved internship?
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Will the experience in nature be meaningful?
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Does it align with the student's post high school goals/interests?
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Will it allow for the student to have a supervisor/mentor who can train, set expectations, and provide feedback?
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Does the internship better prepare the student for a specific career/position after high school graduation?
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Will the student be able to complete a minimum of 60 hours of applied/hands-on experience through this internship?
If you can’t answer yes to all of the above questions, then it is likely not a good fit for an internship.
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We encourage your student to think outside of the box, and we are happy to help brainstorm and collaborate with you. If you are unsure about internship approval, please contact Anita Manuel at anita.manuel@epiccharterschools.org.
Benefits
Earning elective credit with these options gives students the ability to continue to grow and learn skills that will help them in the future while, at the same time, earn high school course credit.
9th & 10th Grade Work Study Addendum
Freshman and Sophomore students may earn elective credit with an internship or work study opportunity. These courses are not Next Step courses, but portfolio electives. Students in grades 9 & 10 will complete the same assignment types as students in grades 11 & 12. Students can request these courses through their teacher.
Contact Information
Questions regarding Internships, please reach out to Anita Manuel, Career Pathway Director anita.manuel@epiccharterschools.org
Questions regarding Work Based Learning or Work Study, please reach out to Leslie Schmitt, Workforce Development Specialist leslie.schmitt@epiccharterschools.org
Questions regarding Epic Virtual Internship Program, please reach out to Victoria McDermott, Virtual Internship Specialist victoria.mcdermott@epiccharterschools.org or Ali Sexton, Virtual Internship Specialist ali.sexton@epiccharterschools.org