‘Micro internships’ for students in Crystal Lake District 155 aim to kickstart careers

Crystal Lake-based Community High School District 155 continues to grow partnerships with local businesses in its third year of the Career Experiences Program that provides “micro internships” for students.

More than 200 students, teachers, industry leaders and business owners attended the 3rd Annual Industry Partner Breakfast Friday morning at the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake to highlight some of this year’s student experiences.

District 155 partners with local businesses to provide hands-on experiences in a wide range of careers including medical, architecture, business management, engineering, welding and finance. The district was awarded a $1.5 million grant from Advance McHenry County to implement the program, according to the district’s website.

Nearly 200 students got internships this year, and the district aims to grow that number to 300 by the end of the summer, Superintendent Neil Lesinski said. Their mission is for students to “enter with promise and leave with purpose,” he said.

“To see the amount of people from all different walks of life, different places of work, come together across the community for one reason, to support kids, is incredibly humbling,” Lesinski said.

Students receive course credit for the micro internship to get a taste of careers they are interested in. The program usually takes about 10 hours over four to five weeks as students shadow employees and try out tasks.

The annual breakfast highlighted students who completed their internships from McHenry County Animal Control and Adoption Center, McHenry County Department of Health, Blue Skies Flying Services at Lake in the Hills Airport, MercyHealth Hospital and Pediatric Associates of Barrington.

Naturally McHenry County President Jaki Berggren worked with a Crystal Lake South High School student to realize her passion for event planning.

Another recent Crystal Lake South graduate became the first Career Experience Program alumni to turn his internship into a full-time job, with Heartland Cabinetry. The student was able to start in the position with the help of dual credits received through McHenry County College.

“This is the student that represents the opportunities to go into the trades,” said Michelle Kidd, District 155 Industry Careers and Wellness Division Leader.

The district also had virtual internships for careers not available in the immediate area like aerospace engineering and genetic engineering through the college and career readiness system Pathful. Students are able to take on simulated job tasks while receiving guidance from Pathful employees.

Alternative learning school Haber Oaks also provides job skills training for students. Student Tyler Kluth said he enjoyed running the school store the most because he wants to run his own cannabis business is Wisconsin if it ever becomes legal there.

This year’s keynote speaker, Cary Mayor Mark Kownick, said local government jobs need a range of educational levels and skills. He said the village will be partnering with the district to provide shadowing and internship opportunities.

“It is truly an opportunity for us to become one of the better counties and doing things that can give us more of an edge,” he said. “Be a part of the solution, make it better, that’s what we try to do on a daily basis. We’re counting on you to become the next leaders in the community.”