Frequently Asked Questions
What's the Difference between job shadow, student internship, apprenticeship, and work-based learning (WBL)?
Job Shadow: Student observes a worker or professional perform their job to gain knowledge and understanding, which can help students decide if a career choice is a good fit for them. Usually last from 3-6 hours.
Student Internship: Short-term work experience offered by organizations to help students learn about the field, make industry connections, and develop both hard and soft skills. Duration of internships vary, but can be from 2 weeks to 12 months. (The Malheur Works program is 9 weeks).
Apprenticeship: An employer-driven, “learn-while-you-earn” model that combines on-the-job training, provided by the employer that hires the apprentice, with job-related instruction in curricula tied to the attainment of national skills standards. Apprenticeships last from 1 - 6 years.
Work-Based Learning (WBL): An applied learning strategy to support students to be college and career ready. WBL options include, but are not limited to, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, clinical practicums, cooperative work experiences, employment, internships, and on-the-job training.
When would we host an intern?
Summer 2022 (June through August)
Exact dates may vary by employer
What is the duration of an internship?
Internships can be flexible, lasting anywhere from 7 to 9 weeks.
How many hours will the intern work each week?
Internship positions are full-time. (36-40 hours per week)
Days and hours may vary depending on employer needs
Who are the interns?
2022 high school graduates from any Malheur County school district.
Applicants will be screened and matched to an employer's internship position based on any combination of the following: employer-determined requirements, academic programs the student has participated in, student interests, and aptitudes.
Do I need to provide a paid internship?
Malheur Works internship positions are all paid positions. It provides the student with a more realistic work experience and added accountability. It also encourages the participation of all students regardless of their socioeconomic status as many of our students rely on paid employment. Another benefit is it will create a stronger and more competitive candidate pool.
Ideally, the host site organization pays the interns. However, if your organization is not set-up to pay for an intern, don't be discouraged to participate, there might be other service and/or funding options available.
What type of work can my intern do?
The intern will be screened and matched with your organization based on the job description and the student's career and educational interests and goals. Interns are expected to perform job duties and tasks that give them an idea of the typical work done in their industry of interest, because as established professionals know, it's not always fun, exciting, and glamorous- it's work! That, by itself, is an important lesson for our interns to learn.
Every intern will have learning goals associated with their internship. Sometimes the internship can be developed in such a way the daily tasks and responsibilities will meet these learning goals. Other times, an employer can add enrichment activities in addition to the intern's regular work tasks. For example, an employer might have their intern tour or job shadow other departments, attend leadership meetings or events, work on a special side project, etc. Be creative, share your interests with your intern, and enjoy their fresh perspectives and curiosity!