R.E.A.L. Term Internships

R.E.A.L. TERM: R.E.A.L. Term is a nine-week program that allows GWCS high school juniors and seniors to actively participate in the world of work. Internships, job shadows, and volunteer positions will be individually matched with our students according to their talents, interests, and skills.

GWCS students will be assigned a supervisor here at school who will facilitate the placement and be available to our sponsor employees.

Current sponsor employers include an environmental non-profit group, an advertising agency, and a research laboratory.

R.E.A.L. Term participants will be available for work beginning April 17 th , 2009 and every Friday after that through June 12 th , 2009.

R.E.A.L. Term participants will be available to work a typical eight-hour day.

OUR STUDENTS: Our students are motivated, capable young men and women who want to succeed. They have had the benefit of a uniquely interactive college preparatory curriculum and are socially and civically aware.

Our students are actively involved in a number of school-sponsored community service projects and have learned to be flexible and solution-oriented. Students complete a minimum of 30 hours of community service each year.

THE TRAINING: All R.E.A.L. Term participants will receive at least six hours of training from qualified professionals from a variety of fields. Courses include:

Business Etiquette: Successful communication and interaction with coworkers and clients, professional conduct and attire.

Mental Approach: Acting with a sense of accountability, enthusiasm, and interest. Special focus on meeting the sponsor employer's expectations.

Problem Solving: Dealing with conflicting assignments, getting clarification on tasks, and what to do when you need work.

Legal Aspects: Confidentiality, basic contracts, workplace safety, employment policies and procedures, and security concerns.

Office Skills: Standards for business letters and emails, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel.

During R.E.A.L. term, students will participate in weekly round-table discussions to talk about workplace successes and challenges with professional mentors. The nine-week term will allow ample time for reflection and development.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

R.E.A.L. Term provides motivated, enthusiastic and flexible workers at no cost to you.
R.E.A.L. Term builds name recognition for your organization
R.E.A.L. Term inspires your next generation of employees and advocates.

THE PLACEMENT: Our sponsor employers are forward-thinking and established. They adhere to the highest ethical standards. They realize the importance of fresh new minds and the advantage of hosting interns in their workplace.

Our sponsor employers are self-aware and can best determine whether students will serve best as interns, job shadowers, or volunteers.

Interns: Students who will receive training to perform a professional job.
Job Shadow: Students will follow a professional to witness what they experience in a day.
Volunteers: Students who will be placed to work with non-profit organizations.

WHAT SPONSORS SAY:

I will never forget the very first day when I got to work with the GW Community School students.  It was obvious that they didn't come to us because the community service hours were required by the school.  They were surrounding me with such eagerness and curiosity, I was a bit startled.  They were ready to plunge their body into any tasks.  Poison Ivy?  Oh yes, we are cool with that, they'd say.  Thorns from multiflora roses?  Try us, they'd shout.  Impossibly stubborn and grotesquely huge wisteria vines and their roots?  They simply became warriors who'd tackle these vines until they are uprooted.  They are infinitely optimistic, and their enthusiasm is simply contagious. Working with these students is like letting go all of my prejudice and petty worries.  They know how to have a roaring good time when they are at work!   I am rejuvenated every time when I'm out with them in the field!” ~Lisa Bright, Earth Sangha

The GW Community School students are very hard working and dedicated volunteers that have logged in hundreds of hours working on several habitat restoration projects at their local parks. They are always willing and determined to complete the task at hand, whether it is removing English ivy from the woodland trees, planting native species or picking up the unsightly trash left behind by careless people. ~Katherine Frederick, IMA Volunteer Coordinator

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please Contact:

Alexa C. Warden, Director
The GW Community School
9001 Braddock Road
Springfield , Va. 22151
Tel. 703.978.7208
Fax 703.978.7226

E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it