Nationwide, Big Picture schools have been placing high school interns at job sites for over 20 years. Students ac­quire much of their learning through real world experi­ences. They pursue their passions in their internships and create projects that benefit their personal learning journey as well as the internship site. Through this work, students make deep connections to their learning and to their mentor.

Being a mentor allows adults like you to make a positive impact on the lives of teenagers. Being a mentor allows you to be a role model and educator to a student who is passionate about your field of work. Through genuine relationships, mentors teach a work ethic and model what it means to be an adult member of our commu­nity.

We’re happy to see what might work for everyone involved. The interns from the school are flexible in their internship hours. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the general days that we have chosen as internship days. If your schedule does not fit those days, feel free to talk to the internship coordinator to see if other arrangements can be made.

If there is a problem or if you have a question, your first course of action is to contact the student’s advisor. If the advisor is unavailable, you can contact the internship coordinator or program coordinator.

Yes. A group of adults can mentor an intern. However, we ask that one of the mentors is appointed as the con­tact person.

Yes. You can definitely have more than one intern. However, before taking on this task, please be reminded that being a mentor is more than just supervising. As a mentor, you are responsible for giving feedback to the student and the advisor as well as providing opportunities for the student to have a hands-on education.

No. Our curriculum is designed so that the experience of the internship is an integral part of the student’s educational journey.   However, if the student is a good fit at your organization you could offer him or her after-school or summer employment.

There may be times when you are out of the office. If you should know this in advance, please let the student and advisor know. The three of you can decide what will be the best course of action. It would be a good idea to have another point person at your office available to help if needed.

We ask that you host the intern for a minimum of eight weeks. At the end of eight weeks, the advisor and mentor re-evaluate the internship and either decide to wrap up the experience or to continue. Some interns stay at their internship for a whole year, some several months, and some several years. Each is a case by case situation, depending on the continued interest of both the student and mentor as well as the continued educational rigor.

Students are at their internship for real world learning. Treat the student like an employee, but realize that they are teenagers. In the beginning of the internship, set the standard you or your company expects. If during the internship the student deviates from that standard, address it with the student, and feel free to contact their advisor or internship coordinator to discuss the situation. If the situation is not rectified promptly, hold the student accountable as you would an employee.

Arrangements are made for each situation. If in the course of the work it is necessary for the intern to travel with the mentor, the parent/guardian will need to sign a permission letter.

Some students walk to their internships, some get rides from their parents, and some are transported by Big Picture staff.  The transportation method is based on the internship’s location and hours.

Are students insured through the school?

For the safety of our students, we ask that you call or email your intern’s advisor if your intern is unexpectedly absent.  On a day-to-day basis, mentors should demonstrate a commitment to the student’s personal growth and workplace learning and make sure that the student documents their work and learning each day. Important responsibilities of a mentor include: Communication (with the student and with the advisor), Collaboration (attending exhibitions and mentor train­ings), and Organization (planning a schedule with the intern, sharing resources and other skills).