Unique Opportunity to Provide High School Students with College Research Experience

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Byrd Center High School Internship Program

Facets of the Program

Please don't miss this opportunity to support the Byrd Center in our Summer 2023 Internship Program. Here are some important facets of the program:

• Interns are paid and provided with bus/parking pass and funds for lunches.
• Voluntary supervisors and mentors are provided for each intern.
• Interns participate in weekly meeting with a non-supervisory mentor.
• Interns complete real work assignments including technical activities, research & operations and outreach.
• Interns work for 25 hours a week for 6 weeks (can be extended by 2 weeks).
• Interns participate in center meetings and attend research seminars.
• Supervisors and mentors receive training and regular program check-ins.

The primary purpose of these internships are to introduce high school students in under-served communities adjacent to campus with professional mentoring to provide them with real work experiences that can be included on their resume, as well as expose them to work in a professional setting, a research setting, an academic library and a college campus.

Internship Compensation

Funds for the program are provided by donations. For 2023, the total for an 8-week summer internship costs roughly $3,200 per intern.

Background

The Climate Research Internship for High School Students is a summer internship program that was conceived of by The Ohio State University Libraries to enhance the 6-week Career Institute conducted by the Expanding Visions Foundation (EVF), a local non-profit. The Career Institute focuses on professional etiquette, resume writing, skills building, interviewing skills and professional career coaching. Students are eligible to interview for internships on graduation from the Career Institute.

In summer 2022, the program included multiple placements in STEM departments for the first time, including the Byrd Center. The Byrd Center had interest in offering a similar program for years, but could not find the resources to market, recruit and train students at a rate of one to two students per year. The partnership with EVF and University Libraries provided the collective support for STEM involvement. Likewise, paid internships allowed the program to reach candidates beyond those able to volunteer their time. While the STEM placements are not explicitly focused on encouraging students to pursue future education or careers in STEM fields, that outcome would be a positive side effect. The Byrd Center wants to be able to host a high school internship program each summer. 

Thank you for your generosity in supporting our initiative.