PENDER COUNTY, N.C. — In a bid to foster civic engagement and offer enriching educational experiences, the Pender County Board of Education (BoE) is advocating for the establishment of a high school student internship program.
The Pender County Schools Board of Education Student Internship Program aims to provide juniors and seniors in high school across the district with opportunities to engage directly with the workings of Pender County Schools (PCS). If accepted, students will attend PCS business and work session meetings, engage with PCS School Board members, tour district facilities, and participate in a service project led by interns.
The program's purpose is to enhance students' educational journeys by fostering leadership skills through community service. Participants will gain firsthand experiences on how the Board of Education and district leaders collaborate with various stakeholders to support educational success.
Open to juniors and seniors from Heide Trask High School, Pender Early College High School, Pender High School, and Topsail High School, the program will select a total of 10-12 students per semester through a competitive application process.
Accepted students will be required to attend all PCS BoE business sessions, including Board Meetings and Committee of the Whole (CoW) meetings. They will also interact monthly with district leadership, including the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Academic Officer, Chief of Operations, and Chief Communications Officer.
Each department within the district will offer specific activities for interns, ranging from conducting research on educational policies to assisting in budget preparation and analysis. Interns will have opportunities to shadow staff and gain insights into various facets of educational administration.
Key focus areas for board meetings include board structure, budget and finance, curriculum and instruction, policy development, community engagement, and district performance.
Interested students must submit the PCS Student Leader Internship Program Application by April 30th. Notifications will be sent out by the superintendent's office by May 31st, 2024.
For further information, interested students can contact the PCS superintendent's office.