Impeccable Internships Instrumental for Students

Alexandra Tigue, ‘26

Staff Writer

A jump start for the future outside of high school; student internships are one of the many opportunities available for seniors. Internship enrollment processes start during junior year and are scheduled as an elective class for seniors, earning them credits as well as on-site experience. Following senior schedule set-up, Career counselor Garnet Rhue will begin closely working with students regarding internships once consent papers are signed by a guardian. According to Rhue, “the biggest benefit of student internships is that they can get you firsthand experience on what it is like to be in that particular career.” 

She encourages students to participate in internships, saying “sometimes it works out that the student says ‘I don’t know if I wanna do this now,’ so they don’t pursue that in college and waste time, money, and energy doing something they don’t enjoy.” Likewise she acknowledges that the opposite can also occur and students can discover a passion that,  “they are looking forward to pursuing …further.” Either way, interning is a great way to gain professional experience, skills, and knowledge on whether or not you plan on continuing this in college.

Internships are an active way to get involved with the community and raise an individual's GPA’s. Students looking to start interning should be capable of being professional, on time, speaking clearly, showing respect, and having interview etiquette. Internships can be applied for something other than the pathway students are currently in; most careers are available to intern for within the area and can easily be worked out with Mrs. Rhue’s extensive connections with the community. She currently has 120 students doing student internships in the career they plan to pursue. 

One of those students is Cape senior, Maddy Gazze, who currently interns at Pivot Physical Therapy in Lewes. Gazze works as a tech and also shadows physical and occupational therapists around the clinic. “So far, my experience has been very positive and taught me a lot about the environment in a PT clinic,” Gazze states. Her enjoyment in the field allows her to engage and learn more about working in a clinic, helping her make a decision on whether or not she plans on pursuing PT school after graduating. For students looking forward to applying to an internship, she advises “to choose something that truly interests them. If they are not interested in the field, the internship may become boring to them over time.” 

Ashley Carrier, another Cape senior, is interning at the Orthopaedic Associates of Southern Delaware, and shadows staff within the building. She says, “I chose this internship because my dream career is to become an orthopedic surgeon PA and this is a great opportunity to explore different areas of medicine and gain some shadowing hours.” This year, she has been enjoying spending time with patients and gaining experience, saying “if you are considering an internship your senior year, I highly suggest that you take advantage of the opportunity to advance yourself for your future. It will show you what you like, what you thought you liked, and what you don’t like.”

With Cape’s resources, as many students as possible should take advantage of the opportunity. Any juniors thinking of their upcoming plans should stop by Rhue’s office in the guidance suite with any questions or concerns.