STEM@Work Paid Internship Program
Most employers know the challenges of finding qualified applicants to fill positions requiring specific skills, while students preparing for these careers can find it hard to gain real-world experience. Employers working with the program can attract a larger and more qualified pool of candidates and play a direct role in developing their future workforce.
The experience opens up opportunities for solid work experience to add to each student’s resume.
STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
- Biotechnician
- Engineer
- Environmental Assessor
- Occupational Therapist
- Machinist
- Financial Advisor
- Investment Analyst
- Physical Therapist
- Auto Technician
- Graphic Designer
- Computer Animator
- Manufacturer
- Nurse
STEM@Work: What to Expect
Those interested in participating in a CES STEM@Work internship are encouraged to carefully read the below sets of expectations and responsibilities.
Guidance Staff
School Guidance professionals are expected to provide the following supports:
- Assistance in identifying and recruiting student candidates
- Troubleshooting of student schedule and/or transportation difficulties
- Wrap-around services designed to eliminate barriers to participation and success for those students who require them, including student-centered college and career planning and the creation of individual educational plans
- Feedback for student and program improvement
- Sharing of anonymous student data for program
Employers
For employers interested in hosting an intern, the proposed internship must include:
- One or more concurrent or sequential internship slots of 50 hours or more, for area high school students
- A pay rate that meets or exceeds the state minimum wage ($11/hour) for each STEM slot
- Activities/responsibilities of the intern should aim to build STEM skills
- Completion of two reviews of the Work-Based Learning Plan (this will be supported by program director)
- Feedback on interns, internship process, employer needs and ideas for improvement
Students and Parents/Guardians
Students participating in an internship are expected to:
- Fully participate in and complete of all aspects of the program, including all internship hours and reflection activities (journal-writing and a final product, such as an oral presentation, written report, or video)
- Have the support of a parent/guardian, including timely arrival to the internship location and all training opportunities, appropriate attire and a positive attitude
- Communicate appropriately and effectively with internship staff and employers
- Follow company policies for employees
- Provide feedback to improve program
- Provide school guidance staff with approval to share anonymous student data for program
Free Resources
Find out more about our STEM Career Skills Virtual Workshops
Matt Rigney
Matt Rigney is the Director of the STEM@Work Paid Internship Program, the CES Perkins Consortium, and CES Connecting Activities. He has acted as the Director of the Hampshire County School-to-Career Partnership for over nineteen years, where he supervises and assists nine school-to-work team members in the development of internship programs, career development workshops, and use of funds for career skill development. As the regional Perkins Consortium Director, he works with four schools to deliver non-Chapter 74 Perkins programming in disciplines ranging from engineering to early childhood, welding, graphic design, and culinary. As Director of the STEM@Work Paid Internship Program, he places high school students in paid, cutting edge STEM internships in biomed, chemical engineering, neuroscience, biophysics, and other STEM fields. In all of these CES programs, Mr. Rigney partners with community members and colleagues to develop essential career skills in youth.
Position: Director, Workforce Development Programs
Email: mrigney@collaborative.org
Phone: 413.522.8322