Internship Forsyth (Work-Based Learning)

Step 1: Review the Requirements

• Enrolled in Related Coursework
• 16 Years of Age with Reliable Transportation
• Good Attendance and Grades
• Positive Discipline Record
• Good Teacher Recommendations

Step 2: Apply for Internship

• Click on the QR code or link and submit the online application.
• Ensure you have teacher recommendation information completed.
• Returning interns for the following school year must complete a new application.

Step 3: Connect with Career Development Specialist

• Ensure your contact information is correct on the application.
• If accepted, you will be notified by the end of February and be given information about a Student Orientation Meeting. All first-year interns are required to attend.
• Your school’s Career Development Specialist will reach out this Spring to discuss placement options.
• Specialist will contact school to add coursework to your schedule.

Step 4: Secure an Internship Placement

• Your application will note if you currently have a placement. Make sure this placement will work for your Career Development Specialist.
• If you need an internship placement, you will receive assistance on placement options after Orientation in the Spring. Students are expected to obtain their own job.
• You must have an approved placement by the start of the school year and may work on your own over the summer to secure a suitable position/job if needed.
• Placements may be paid or unpaid.

Step 5: Attend Orientation and Complete Paperwork

• Students will be required to attend an introductory meeting with their Career Development Specialist at the beginning of the school year.
• Students will meet monthly with their Career Development Specialist throughout the school year.
• Students will complete required paperwork electronically with their employers at the beginning of the school year.

For Additional Information:

Please see your school’s Career Development Specialist or visit www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/ctae.

The Forsyth County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability or gender in employment decisions or educational programs and activities, including its athletic programs.

Internship Forsyth Work-Based Learning

Forsyth County Schools

Program Description

Internship Forsyth is a structured experience that connects classroom learning to Internship Forsyth is a structured experience which connects classroom learning to an engaging job opportunity. Internships can be paid or unpaid. Students are allowed to leave the school campus to intern with local businesses, earning course credit for the experience.

Ready to Apply? Visit the FCS College & Career website.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Review the Requirements

Before applying, make sure you meet all of these requirements:

• Enrolled in Related Coursework
• 16 Years of Age with reliable transportation
• Good Attendance and Grades
• Positive Discipline Record
• Good Teacher Recommendations

Step 2: Apply for Internship

• Click on the QR code or link to submit your online application.
• Ensure you have teacher recommendation information completed.
• Returning interns for the following school year must complete a new application.

Step 3: Connect with Career Development Specialist

• Ensure your contact information is correct on the application.
• If accepted, you will be notified by the end of February and be given information about a Student Orientation Meeting. All first-year interns are required to attend.
• Your school's Career Development Specialist will reach out this Spring to discuss placement options.
• Specialist will contact school to add coursework to your schedule.

Step 4: Secure an Internship Placement

• Your application will note if you currently have a placement. Make sure this placement will work for your Career Development Specialist.

• If you need an internship placement, you will receive assistance on placement options after Orientation in the Spring. Students are expected to obtain their own job.

• You must have an approved placement by the start of the school year and may work on your own over the summer to secure a suitable position/job if needed.

• Placements may be paid or unpaid.

Step 5: Attend Orientation and Complete Paperwork

• Students must attend an introductory meeting with their Career Development Specialist at the beginning of the school year.
• Students will meet monthly with their Career Development Specialist throughout the school year.
• Students will complete required paperwork electronically with their employers at the beginning of the school year.

Career Development Specialists by School

School	Specialist Name	Email
Alliance Academy for Innovation	Max Stallings	mstallings@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Denmark HS	Hailey Brock	hbrock@forsyth.k12.ga.us
East Forsyth HS	Kim Clapper	kclapper@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Forsyth Central HS	Lauren Westbrook	lwestbrook@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Lambert HS	Susan Fagan	sfagan@forsyth.k12.ga.us
North Forsyth HS	Shayla Brawner	sbrawner@forsyth.k12.ga.us
South Forsyth	Dianne King	dking80@forsyth.k12.ga.us
West Forsyth	Marelle Bowers	sbowers@forsyth.k12.ga.us

 

 

 

What is Internship Forsyth?

Internship Forsyth (Work-Based Learning) is a structured experience that connects what students learn in the classroom to a real job opportunity. Students can leave their school campus to intern at local businesses and earn course credit for their work. These internships can be paid or unpaid.

The program's goal is to provide a highly trained and career-oriented young workforce while helping students build on the skills and knowledge from their Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) courses. Internships are ideally aligned with a student's career pathway and interests. Students are encouraged to complete at least two courses in a particular career pathway before enrolling in the program.

Timeline

• January: Interested students complete an application for the following school year.

• February: Students are selected for the program. Employers decide on their available intern positions, create job descriptions, and submit them to a Career Development Specialist.
• March-June: Employers interview students and make their selections. A summer start is recommended to successfully onboard and orient the intern.
• August: Interns begin working no later than the first day of school. Intake documentation, including a training agreement and training plan, is completed electronically.
• August-May: Students are required to intern through the first week of May. Employers sign off on monthly hours and evaluate the intern periodically on employability skills and job-specific tasks.

Quick Facts about Internship Forsyth

• The program aims to place students in structured internships (August to May) that align with their career interests and related coursework.

• Students are released from school for one, two, or three class periods to report to their internship sites.
• A minimum of 5 hours per week is required for each class period of internship.
• Some internships are paid, while others are non-paid job-shadowing experiences.
• Students are selected based on their GPA, attendance, behavior record, and teacher recommendations.
• All selected students must be at least 16 years old by September 1 of that school year and have their own reliable transportation.

Roles in the Program

Role of the Employer

The success of the program is based on the quality of the placement and the instruction students receive on-site. Employers are responsible for:

• Orienting the student to the job and business.
• Participating in the development of a training plan.
• Evaluating student performance and verifying hours worked.
• Providing on-the-job counseling when needed.
• Agreeing to host the student for the entire school year, from August through May.

Benefits to the Employer

Participating in the program offers several benefits to local businesses, including:

• Maintaining a source of skilled and motivated employees.
• Providing a pipeline for future employees.
• Reducing the cost of recruitment and training because students have already completed relevant coursework.
• Helping to shape a young person's career goals and skills.
• Increasing employer visibility and participation in the local school district.
• Building the foundation for a more productive local economy.

Role of the Student Intern

Interns are expected to be outstanding employees who are ready to add value to a business and eager to learn. Students are required to:

• Communicate their class and work schedules with their employer.
• Communicate all absences and schedule changes as soon as possible.
• Comply with all company policies regarding dress code, professionalism, and attendance.
• Complete their part of the required program documentation in a timely manner.
• Show initiative, ask questions, and accept feedback.

Role of the Career Development Specialist

Each high school has a specialist who serves as the liaison between the school and the employer and is the teacher of record for the enrolled students. The specialist's tasks include:

• Vetting students before program acceptance.
• Communicating regularly with the employer, including conducting site visits.
• Partnering with the supervisor as a job coach for the student.
• Maintaining program records as required by the state.

 

What is Internship Forsyth?

Internship Forsyth (Work-Based Learning) is a program that connects classroom learning with job opportunities. Students can leave the school campus to intern with local businesses and earn course credit. Internships can be paid or unpaid. The program's purpose is to help provide a career-oriented young workforce and assist students in building on the skills and knowledge from their Career, Technical, & Agricultural Education (CTAE) courses. It is recommended that internships align with a student’s career pathway and interests.

Quick Facts and Student Requirements

Duration: The internships are structured to run from August to May.

Time Commitment: Students are released from school for one, two, or three class periods either in the morning or afternoon. A minimum of five hours of work per week is required for each class period of internship.

Eligibility: To be selected, students must be at least 16 years old by September 1 of that school year and have reliable transportation. Selection is also based on GPA, attendance, behavior records, and teacher recommendations.

How Students Are Graded: The internship is a graded course, and students can earn up to three course credits per year. The grade is based on more than just the on-the-job experience. Students complete monthly assignments, submit documented work hours, and are periodically evaluated by their employers. They also attend monthly meetings and other professional development events.

Benefits of the Program for Students

Internships are a valuable opportunity for career exploration. Specific benefits include:

• Building a competitive resume and college application.
• Networking with professionals in their field of interest.
• Gaining real-world experience connected to classroom learning.
• Developing a strong work ethic and positive work habits.
• Getting access to job opportunities that are not available to other students.
• Determining a clear career path and direction for future education.

Finding an Internship

While it is the student's responsibility to find a placement, the Career Development Specialist will assist them. Many local businesses routinely hire students from the program. Internship opportunities are communicated to students, typically starting in the spring before enrollment. A county-wide orientation is also held in the spring to provide job-seeking tips. Students must secure their internship placement by the first day of school in August.

Program Expectations

Student Expectations: Students are expected to report to their internship site as scheduled, comply with all workplace policies, complete assignments on time, and remain at the site for the entire school year unless there are extenuating circumstances. They are also expected to promptly consult with their Career Development Specialist about any problems at the internship site.

Parent Expectations: Parents are encouraged to suggest potential individuals or businesses for an internship but should allow their child to secure the placement on their own. Parents should also encourage their child to handle issues with their employer or the Career Development Specialist before getting involved.

Final Step: Reference Submission

Once you submit your application, you will receive an email requesting teacher reference information. Important: Your application will not be processed until all references are received.

Required Teacher References

Reference Requirements

• Number of references needed: 2 current teacher references
• Teacher qualification: High School teachers ONLY
• Special requirement: One reference must be a pathway teacher

What is a Pathway Teacher?

A pathway teacher is an instructor who teaches courses within your specific career pathway or area of study. Examples include:

• STEM Pathway: Engineering, computer science, advanced mathematics, or science teachers
• Business Pathway: Business education, marketing, or economics teachers
• Health Sciences Pathway: Health occupations or medical terminology teachers
• Arts Pathway: Visual arts, performing arts, or media production teachers

Reference Process

1. After submitting your application, you will receive a separate email within 24-48 hours
2. The email subject line will read "Do Not Reply"
3. This email will contain a secure link to submit reference names
4. You will need to provide for each reference:
   • Teacher's full name
   • Teacher's official school email address
   • Subject area they teach
   • How long you have known this teacher
   • Whether they are your pathway teacher

Important Email Requirement

• All teacher email addresses must end with @forsyth.k12.ga.us
• This ensures references come from verified district employees
• No exceptions to this email format will be accepted
• Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) will be rejected

What References Cannot Include

Not Accepted:

• Parent references (even if they work in education)
• Family member references (siblings, relatives, etc.)
• Teachers from outside Forsyth County School District
• Substitute teachers or paraprofessionals
• Coaches who are not also classroom teachers
• Guidance counselors or administrators

Timeline and Follow-Up

Expected Timeline

• Application submission: Complete by deadline
• Reference email: Received within 24-48 hours
• Reference submission deadline: Usually 1 week after receiving email
• Teacher response time: Allow 3-5 business days for teachers to respond

What Happens Next

1. Teachers will receive an email with a reference form
2. They will complete questions about your academic performance, character, and readiness
3. References are submitted directly to the program coordinators
4. You will receive confirmation when all references are complete

Tips for Success

Choosing Your References

• Select teachers who know your work well and can speak to your strengths
• Choose teachers from different subject areas when possible
• Ask teachers in advance if they are willing to serve as references
• Provide teachers with information about the program you're applying to

Communication with Teachers

• Give teachers at least one week's notice before the deadline
• Remind them politely about the deadline
• Provide them with your application essay or program information
• Thank them for their time and support

Summary Checklist

Before submitting your application, make sure you have:

• Two high school teacher references identified
• At least one pathway teacher reference confirmed
• Valid @forsyth.k12.ga.us email addresses for both teachers
• Confirmed that neither reference is a parent or family member
• Spoken with both teachers to confirm their willingness to provide references
• Provided teachers with background information about the program
• Set reminders to follow up with teachers about reference deadlines

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If You Don't Receive the Reference Email

• Check your spam/junk folder
• Verify the email address you provided in your application
• Contact the program coordinator if no email is received within 48 hours

If a Teacher's Email is Rejected

• Double-check the spelling of the email address
• Ensure it ends with @forsyth.k12.ga.us
• Contact the teacher to verify their correct district email address

If You Need to Change a Reference

• Contact the program coordinator immediately
• Explain the situation and provide the new teacher's information
• Note that changes may delay processing of your application