Internships with purpose
In the 8th grade, the young people are extensively prepared for the upcoming work placement (internship) in the 9th grade. The “TalentCheck”, a career choice test and a detailed counseling interview with the parents, are used to work out together where and in which area the young people could complete their work placement in the 9th grade. The careers counsellor names possible employers and sectors and discusses the relevant application procedure with the young people.
“Internships with purpose” is a school year project that offers an interactive, in-depth, and self-directed approach to the first work placement for school pupils. It is divided into two core modules and two extension modules:
Talent check: The first step of “Internships with a Purpose” is a group-dynamic process in the classroom. The “Talent Check” gives pupils an initial insight into their talents and possible career fields.
Counseling module: The talent check is followed by a counseling session with the careers counsellor in the presence of the parents so that they are also involved in finding an internship. Several counseling sessions will be conducted on the application documents and possible company locations.
The careers counsellors and school social workers will also support the pupils in directly interacting with the potential workplaces. By changing perspectives, the pupils are prepared for possible job interviews, telephone calls or other interactions.
Input and exchange: The careers guidance team and school social work organise a parents’ evening at which potential companies introduce themselves and explain current insights into company processes, internship and training structures and requirement guidelines.
Parents’ workshop: A targeted workshop is designed to teach parents about the role they and their professional development play in finding and managing an internship.
Learning outcomes
Additional learning outcomes
- Presenting yourself: planning, designing and preparing application documents.
- Interaction with unknown authorities: contacting potential employers and job interview training.
- Strengthening the family structure: Co-operation with parents through their engagement with the professional world.
- Self-confidence and self-efficacy: confidence in your abilities and recognising how self-efficacious your actions can be.
Implementation
Step-by-step
- Kick-off: Presentation to the class leaders of the future 8th grade in the previous year
- Talent check: Group dynamic process in the classroom on one day during the school year
- Intensive counselling: Counselling sessions with students and parents about possible internships
- Change of perspective: Assistance for pupils when interacting with companies
- Knowledge transfer: experts explain the framework conditions for internships and future training to parents and guardians
- Parents’ workshop: Parents are made aware of their role in supporting the search for an internship and the relevance of their career path for their children
Involved professions
Teachers, the BSO team, school social workers, employees of the “TalenteCheck” project, parents/guardians, companies, the public sector or NGOs.
Preparation & follow-up
Preparation:
- Writing a project plan with who, what, when, where
- Preliminary talks with the heads of the future 8th-grade classes
- Registration TalentCheck
- Internship search: Which companies or NGOs offer internships? (possibly create a catalogue that the pupils can continue)
Follow-up:
- Collect feedback: Surveys and feedback rounds with pupils, parents, teachers and companies.
- Evaluation: Assessing the individual processes based on the defined objectives
- Reflection: Final round with school management, teachers and individual pupils
- Revision: Analyse feedback, evaluation and reflection and incorporate in the following year
Evaluation
Questionnaire: For the pupils about the approach to the internship
Feedback forms: Short survey of the pupils following the work placement
Quality check: Qualitative interviews with participants to check the ideal and actual implementation
Company feedback: Exchange with participating companies on the realistic realisation of the project