Clairemont High School is committed to providing our 12th grade students a quality internship: a meaningful, hands-on work experience outside of the classroom designed to prepare them for life after high school. We believe internships are the most valuable way for students to explore a field of industry interest. They learn how their course of study applies to the real world and build up their resumes and essential soft skills, making them stronger candidates for jobs after graduation. Our local industry and community benefit from the CHS Internship Program as well. The opportunity to inspire and develop potential future employees allows them to build a "pipeline" of bright minds who are interested in the field and more prepared for their world of work
Internship Program Fast Facts and Links for 2026-27
CHS is connecting local companies and organizations to the bright minds of the future workforce right now! We have high school student interns available for Fall semester and Spring semester placement. Read more below!
Program Description
12th grade students have the opportunity to participate in a field internship as part of the Career Pathways Internship course, taught by a CHS teacher, in their final year at Clairemont High. During first or second semester, students take the internship course and are also automatically assigned a tandem free work period (Exploratory Work Experience) which enables them to leave campus and apply their skills in an off-campus professional industry setting four days per week. Internships are a minimum of 7 hours per week for 10 weeks. Interns are supported throughout the program by their instructor and are graded on hours worked, reflections, and most importantly, evaluations by their supervisors. Internships are typically unpaid, though paid internships may be available.
Student Intern Qualifications:
The students have taken a sequence of three or more courses in a pathway in business, engineering, medical sciences or information technology. Students are also trained in Microsoft applications (Excel, Word, Publisher, and PowerPoint), Google applications (Google Drive, Google Calendar, etc.) and social media. In addition, students have had extensive hands-on training in essential workplace soft skills such as: communication, collaboration, problem-solving, self-awareness, adaptability and workplace professionalism.
Internship Placements Partnerships
Students can be placed into their field internships in one of two ways: (1) A student can seek out his or her own internship and apply, provided that the company or organization meets our criteria and registers with CHS to complete all necessary paperwork to host an intern, or (2) A student can also choose to interview for an internship with one of our industry or community partners who requests an intern. In this case, students will participate in an on-campus interview fair arranged by CHS.
Intern Placement Details for 2026-27 School Year:
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Intern Request Form deadlines:
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Fall Semester: September 11, 2026
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Spring Semester: February 10, 2027
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Internship Duration: 10 weeks
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Intern Start Dates:
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Fall Semester: September 28, 2026
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Spring Semester: February 10, 2027
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Intern End Dates:
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Fall Semester: December 10, 2026
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Spring Semester: May 6, 2027
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Intern Availability: Mondays - Thursdays. Interns must be in class on Fridays. Intern start and end work time varies and is dependent upon class schedule, site location, transportation time.
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Intern Weekly Hours: Ideally interns will work 7 - 10 hours per week
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Transportation: Students drive or take public transportation. (MTS transit passes provided for free by district for students.)
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Liability: Workers' Compensation and Public Liability covered by the San Diego Unified School District for all unpaid internships
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Evaluation: Interns are monitored weekly by instructor, then they are evaluated by site internship supervisor at the end of the placement
Steps to Host an Intern for Fall 2026 or Spring 2027:
STEP 1: COMPLETE ONLINE REQUEST FORM
STEP 2. CHECK INTERNSHIP PROGRAM DETAILS
STEP 3. ATTEND INFO MEETING OR SCHEDULE PHONE CONFERENCE (NEW INTERN SUPERVISORS ONLY)
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Are you new to the CHS Internship Program? If so, prior to making a final determination if we can place an intern at your site, please contact Program Coordinator Jeanne Cantwell at [email protected] to set up a telephone interview or face-to-face appointment, so we can learn more about your internship position, company, and work environment.
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Are you a returning Intern Supervisor from previous years? If so, you may skip this step.
STEP 4. INTERNSHIP SUPERVISOR ORIENTATION AND INTERVIEW FAIR
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The Orientation and Interview Fair will take place Wednesday, September 16, 2026 (Fall) and Wednesday, February 10, 2027 (Spring) at Clairemont High. If there is a critical conflict, please contact Program Coordinator Jeanne Cantwell at [email protected] to set up an alternative option.
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During the weeks leading up to the interview fair, students will prepare resumes and work on professional skills to prepare them for interviews.
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This event is a perfect opportunity for intern supervisors to schedule interviews with two or more of our student intern applicants.
STEP 5: INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT
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Based on interview feedback, CHS will place interns in the days following the Internship Interview Fair. It is our goal to have all student interns placed and ready to begin working at their site by September 28, 2026 (Fall) and February 22, 2027 (Spring). We encourage supervisors to use the first day of the internship for student intern paperwork, orientation, and training.
Contact:
For questions, please contact Internship Program Coordinator Jeanne Cantwell at [email protected]