• The Senior Internship Program has a new name - Senior Experience Elective - which is a better description of our current program. 

    2025 Senior Experience Elective OverviewConestoga logo

    Conestoga’s Senior Experience Elective provides an opportunity for seniors in good standing to explore a potential career or area of interest during the month preceding graduation.  The dates for the 2025 Senior Experience Elective  are Monday, May 5 through Friday, May 30. Students attend their placement for full days just as they would attend school. The student, with the help of their Faculty Advisor and a Community Sponsor in a business, professional field or community service organization, designs a program of learning, observation and/or hands-on experience.

    This experience offers students a chance to explore a field of interest or career area. In addition, the student gains insights into the responsibilities and skills necessary in a professional, adult environment.

    • In Phase I: Students begin to explore their general areas of interest.  During this phase, they choose a Faculty Advisor and compose a draft letter of interest as they prepare to find a Community Sponsor. 

    • In Phase II: Students contact potential Community Sponsors within their area of interest and work to line up their experience. With help from parents and the Community Sponsor, the student will develop goals and a plan for the program.  The Community Sponsor oversees the student during the four weeks of the Senior Experience Elective program. 


    A Cooperative Effort

    The Senior Experience Elective program relies on the cooperative effort of students, parents, staff and Community Sponsors.

    The Advisory Committee:

    • Is composed of an administrator, counselors, teachers, a parent and the Program Coordinator. 
    • Communicates throughout the process to make decisions concerning student placement and program policies.
    • Approves individual student placements.

    The Program Coordinator (Jeanne Braun, Coordinator of Community & Volunteer Services): 

    • Meets with all seniors in orientation and information sessions (Jan, Feb, Mar) and is available to students throughout the process.
    • Provides information on past senior experiences including sponsor contact information in the Student Services Center and the Library.
    • Helps students brainstorm ideas and narrow their area of focus.
    • Consults with Counselors and Faculty Advisors about individual students, as well as the administration on the progress of the program.
    • Reads and reports on all evaluations and student journals.  

    The Faculty Advisor (unique to each student and requested by the student):  

    • Works with students in designing goals for individual programs.
    • Maintains contact with the Community Sponsor and the student during the 4-week program.
    • Communicates with the student throughout the program to monitor experiences and the student’s journals.
    • Completes an evaluation of the student’s experience at the conclusion of the program.  

    The Community Sponsor (person providing the Senior Experience Elective): 

    • Provides the student with a meaningful experience, offering a realistic perspective of the area of interest.
    • Communicates with the Faculty Advisor and the Coordinator as needed.
    • Completes background clearances as required by the PA Child Protective Services Law for students under 18 years of age.
    • Completes an evaluation of the student’s experience. 

    The Parent/Guardian:

    • Encourages and aids the student in finding a meaningful experience.
    • Helps the student define goals for the experience.
    • Submits the Parent Release Form (Phase II).
    • Oversees student attendance at their placement and completes an evaluation of their student’s experience.  

    The Student: 

    • With the assistance of those listed above, the student is responsible for finding their Senior Experience Elective. 
    • Using all available resources, the student completes program requirements as outlined in the 2025 timeline.
    • Initiates contact with the Program Coordinator and the Faculty Advisor as needed.
    • Assumes responsibility for understanding and adhering to the Program Guidelines.

    NOTE:  For the 2025 Internship Program, Community Sponsors who have a Conestoga intern under 18 years of age must have completed the following clearances: PA Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI Criminal Record Check.