Seeking Internship hosts for this school year

Host an InternSIP

We’re seeking partners to host senior interns for the 2024-25 school year.

Seniors in the Social Innovation Program (SIP) at Sequoyah School have had three years developing design thinking skills and mindsets. Our students are systems thinkers who define problems, nurture solutions, and build partnerships towards a just and sustainable world.

Become a host

Featured InternSIPs

The Gamble House

Leah ‘23 selected design motifs from the house to carve into linocut stamps which will be used to engage young children in the field of historic preservation at their upcoming Family Fun Day in October 2023. Additionally, Leah got hands-on experience with a variety of administrative tasks required to run a nonprofit.
Families Forward

Over the years, a variety of students have served as teachers assistants in preschool classrooms at Families Forward which serves local families living in poverty. Here, as an orientation to the organization’s work, students are sorting recently donated clothing items.
North East Trees

John ‘23 helped to restore open space parks in Mount Washington and other areas of Los Angeles. Interested in fire science, John learned to use a chainsaw to clear brush and came to understand the important role of restoration ecologists.
Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE)

Odinn ‘23 conducted audits of bike paths around L.A. County to help SAFE, other advocacy organizations, and government agencies prioritize resources. Additionally, Odinn made recommendations on the usability of the app he used to input data.
SMP Engineering

Lucas ‘22 spent Friday afternoons shadowing mechanical engineers and learning to use a variety of machines and tools, including, lathes, precise drills, CAD, sewing machines, and more. He was tasked with designing a machine capable of measuring the widths of fine cables.

Responsibilities

A successful internSIP is the result of close partnership between everyone involved.

Host

Provide safe environment that is conducive to student learning and growth.
Supervise the intern once per week for 90 minutes or more from September–May, excluding holidays and school breaks.
Support the intern with student assignment deadlines (see below).
Fill out intern feedback form at the midpoint and end of the year.
Immediately communicate emergent issues, as necessary.

Intern

Post weekly journal entries documenting successes and challenges.
Complete course projects, in collaboration with host.
Seek feedback regularly from supervisor and conduct periodic self-assessments.
Communicate promptly with host about planned and unplanned absences.
Arrange transportation to and from internSIP site

Sequoyah School

Facilitate application and matching process to ensure success for all parties.
Support host and intern with administrative functions (e.g., communication, transportation), as needed.
Conduct 2-3 site visits throughout the school year.
Address emergent issues in collaboration with host and student, as necessary.

Become a host

FAQs

Not quite. A volunteer donates their time to support the everyday operations of the hosting organization without expectation of reciprocation. In contrast, an intern commits their time with the understanding that, in exchange, the organization will help them learn, grow, and expand their network.
An organization can host an intern in their existing volunteer program, so long as they are also willing to support the two assignments (see below). Most hosting organizations find these assignments support a meaningful experience for all parties.
Generally no. We believe important professional skills are developed when students have the opportunity to interact with colleagues in person. Under rare circumstances a fully virtual internSIP is approved.
Interns are free from 1:00–3:15 PM on Fridays. Students are in school and unavailable from 8:15 AM – 3:15 PM, Monday–Thursday and often have after school commitments. Students and hosts who would like to intern outside of Friday afternoons should discuss with the Director of Social Innovation.
InternSIPs last from September to May, skipping regular school and holiday breaks. Students’ academic classes finish at the end of April, allowing for an increase of internSIP hours in May, if appropriate.
Yes, you don't have to be a non-profit. An intern’s role could be dedicated to aligning the company or organization toward a particular social justice or sustainability goal.
No, though hosts should be located in the Los Angeles area. Our students are eager to get to know our region and live in a variety of neighborhoods (e.g., San Gabriel Valley, Hollywood, East L.A., Silver Lake, San Fernando Valley, and more).
During initial conversations, hosts and the Director of Social Innovation co-design a placement process that is fair to students and ensures organizations are matched with interns who have the appropriate skills, interest, and experience to help them succeed. Given the varied nature of internSIPs, all placement processes vary slightly.
Yes. Like with all internSIPs, hosts and the Director of Social Innovation converse to ensure the student will have adequate learning experiences and networking opportunities.
Seeking regular feedback is an important part of being an effective and collaborative changemaker. Interns are expected to hone this skill during their InternSIP. Before an internSIP starts, we work hard to set clear expectations with interns and hosts. Twice throughout the year, students lead formal self-evaluations and have an evaluative conversation with their supervisor. The Director of Social Innovation and other Sequoyah School staff are prepared to address emergent issues as they arise.
No. There is no exchange of money between host or intern.
Yes, students get credit for their participation in an InternSIP.

Student Assignments

Two project assignments ensure students apply their design thinking skills. Minimal support is required by the host.

#1 – Organizational Portrait

Throughout the fall, with the scheduling help of their supervisor, interns conduct 3-5 informational interviews with colleagues to learn about the people and skill sets that make the organization run. Students present their findings in December at Exhibition Night for their families.

#2 – Intra-preneurial Proposal

By at least the end of March, students present a written project proposal to their supervisor. Their project should address an organizational need the student and/or supervisor has identified, take advantage of the student’s skills, and be able to be completed before May. Students present documentation of their project and personal learnings in June at Exhibition Night for their families.