Madison Reporter

High school students in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) recently completed a summer internship program that placed them in various district departments. The initiative, which ran from June 23 through July 31, offered paid part-time positions in areas such as communications, building services, athletics, library services, and career and technical education.

The internships were designed to give students practical work experience while allowing them to explore potential career paths. Participants also took part in weekly professional development sessions focused on workplace readiness, networking, and setting career goals. At the conclusion of the program, interns presented their experiences and discussed how the opportunity influenced their future plans.

“This experience is about more than building résumés, it’s about helping students see themselves as professionals,” said Annie Johnston, MMSD’s work-based learning coordinator. “Our interns practiced communication, teamwork and initiative in real work environments. And most importantly, they left the summer with a clearer idea of what they want for their future, and how to get there.”

The district stated that these efforts are part of a larger strategy to connect classroom learning with job skills. Cindy Green, assistant superintendent of strategy and innovation at MMSD, said: “Career-connected learning is essential to our vision for student success. By embedding opportunities like internships into the high school experience, we help students graduate not only with a diploma, but with a sense of purpose and a foundation for what comes next.”

MMSD continues to expand experiential learning beyond summer internships by offering youth apprenticeships, job shadowing programs, and other community-based opportunities throughout the year. These initiatives aim to prepare students academically while equipping them for college or entry into the workforce.