Partners and Mentors

No! Our program provides the structure and support for the internship, so all you need is your organization's authorization and at least one willing mentor. 

We pair students with mentors in October or November to allow time for them to meet virtually and collaboratively plan the internship experience. In-person visits to the internship site begin in January and conclude at the end of March.

From October to December, the mentor will meet with the intern virtually 2-3 times. Then, from January to the end of March, the mentor should be available for two days per week at the end of the workday for 2 - 3 hours.

Interns must be 17 years old or older by February 1st of their internship year.

Ensuring safety is the shared responsibility of all parties involved: the student, the mentor, the partner organization, and the APS internship program coordinator. Interns who are 17- and 18-year-olds have a higher level of responsibility for their own safety compared to younger students. However, this does not mean that adults are not responsible for taking reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of the students. Here are some ways we will ensure the safety of our interns:

• The program coordinator will train students and mentors in safety best practices and child protection.
• The partner organization will provide a safe working environment and ensure all relevant policies and laws are followed. 
• The mentor will complete child protection training and become a "mandatory reporter" of child abuse and neglect.
• The mentor will supervise the intern at all times. If this is not possible, the intern should be supervised by another trusted adult who has completed child protection training.
• The student will complete safety training and is provided with emergency contact information, including that of the APS program coordinator.