Every year, A­School students secure an internship at the business of their choice during the month of January. The Career Internship Program, founded in 1973, is the oldest high school internship program in the country. These internships offer a great opportunity for students to immerse themselves in areas that interest them. Students are exposed to what it’s like to work and have a job during this program. This opportunity allows students to dig deep into what they would like to pursue and explore different interests without having a real job.

For her internship, Maya Estrin ’17 chose to work at the British high­end fashion company, Mulberry, in New York City. “I’m really interested in going into this industry and it’s a great opportunity,” said Estrin. She enjoyed her internship and having the opportunity to experience the reality of a career in fashion. Estrin worked in the showroom and offices of Mulberry. “I helped with styling models, locating shipped items, and entering new season collections into the system,” explained Estrin. She loved having the opportunity to experience a fashion career while still in the A­ School.

Student Liza Brecker ’17 chose a more local internship with Greenacres first grade teacher Mrs. Manin. Due to Brecker’s class commitments, she chose a local internship that allowed her return to the school during the day. She loved working with young students and had fun being a mentor to the elementary age students. “I am so pro­internship because I think that the internship really lets you see what real life is,” explained Brecker ’17 of the A School internship program. She believes real world experience in actual career settings would benefit students. “All of high school is stuck in learning algebra or learning about Ancient Mesopotamia,

but I personally think we should be learning about different stuff in real life.” Every day Liza helped to teach her students spelling and reading in the classroom. Brecker ’17 advocates for allowing students to learn outside of the classroom. “People are learning specific things about what they love, and I think that is so important,” said Brecker. “It’s so great to be in the real world and have an alternative way of learning.”

Jordan Frankenthaler ’15 chose to work at a video production studio in Irvington for his internship. He loves working at this studio, and soon hopes to start making commercials and becoming involved in the more creative side of the industry. During his sophomore year, Frankenthaler worked at the Digital Arts Experience in White Plains, where he developed a love for videography. Jordan believes that the internship program is one of the greatest opportunities. “School is very difficult, so taking a break from that for a month keeps me motivated and it keeps me on track,” explained Frankenthaler. “I do believe that internships give you the gateway into the real world. It allows me to pursue something that I love.”

Naomi Haber ’16 is working at Petchester Veterinary, a veterinary hospital in White Plains. Last year Haber chose to volunteer at Greenburgh Nature Center for her internship, and she still volunteers there. “There are plenty of people who don’t know what they want to do for the rest of their lives or who know what they want to do and want to try different things, and I think internship is the perfect time to do that,” explained Haber. Over the summer, Naomi took a veterinary medicine course at Cornell and loved it. She also loves how the internship opens her up to what a real job might be like. “I take the public bus sometimes and I feel like I’m a real adult, working and figuring out the public transportation system,” said Haber.

The love and enthusiasm that these students show for their respective internships is demonstrated by their commitment. “The internship gives students the opportunity to secure a job, manage complicated schedules, and work in a profession situation. Students are able toassert themselves in a way where they can be seen as useful,” noted A School math teacher Sheilah Chasen. The A school internship allows students to develop new interests and passions, and give them experience in the workforce. “Historically, the best internships are often the ones that the kids sought out themselves rather than contacts or connections that parents might have helped them with,” explained Dean Oren Iosepovici. This program is a great and educational way for students to do what they love and have real world experiences, at a time when many students have not yet been exposed to the workforce.