ALTON - Alton High School and local businesses have partnered to offer internships to local students.
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The Alton Educational Foundation worked with local businesses and the high school to start an internship program for students last fall. Kristie Baumgartner, executive director of the Alton Educational Foundation, noted that the program has been positive for all involved. Students receive valuable job experience while local employers find hard-working interns.
“As much as teachers try, we can’t replicate inside school walls the experiences that students can gain in the workplace and in the field,” Baumgartner said. “That’s what the program is essentially about, not only providing students with credit, but actually getting them out into the field with real-world work experiences.”
Juniors and seniors are eligible for the program. Students must apply by undergoing interviews and demonstrating their interest in a specific career goal.
When they are accepted, they agree to a 60-hour, semester-long internship. They spend the first two weeks in a classroom to learn essential workplace skills and create a resume. They then go into the community for their internships at local organizations and businesses.
Students are currently completing internships in fields like civil and mechanical engineering, social work, journalism, business administration, healthcare, sports management, maintenance and energy efficiency, chiropractics, collision repair and more. The internships provide students with real-life experience beyond the classroom, usually in fields that students wish to pursue after graduation.
Most of the employers work with the students so they can complete their internship hours before or after school. Students also receive elective credit through the high school for their work. The Alton Educational Foundation pays for any out-of-pocket costs like background checks and drug screenings.
Baumgartner noted that they hope to partner with more businesses and organizations in the future so they can offer the internship opportunity to additional students.
“We’re excited about the employers and industry partners across the region who are opening these opportunities for our students to explore specific fields and career pathways,” she said. “It really has been a fantastic partnership between Alton High and the community. We’re so thankful to the employers who are offering the opportunities.”
The internship program started in the Fall 2025 semester with three students. This semester, they welcomed 47 students. Additionally, the Illinois State Board of Education is now offering a career pathway endorsement for students who take pathway courses and complete a 60-hour internship in high school.
As internship programs like this become more popular, Baumgartner hopes Alton High School’s program can continue to expand. The increased interest is exciting for the Alton Educational Foundation.
The foundation also plans to coordinate summer internships in the near future. The experience has been positive for students and employers alike, and Baumgartner looks forward to completing the second successful semester of internships in May.
“The feedback from both our student interns and employers has just been phenomenal,” she added. “Our Alton High students are representing themselves so very well out in the field during their experiences, and employers are providing a first-class opportunity to students. It’s just been a wonderful partnership from every aspect.”
For more information about the Alton Educational Foundation, visit their official website.
This Featured Article is sponsored by Alton Community Unit School District #11. To get your business or organization featured on www.Riverbender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
