intern

Exeter Educational Internship Spotlight: Molly Lubenow in Kindergarten with Mrs. Weaver

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a student stands in front of a mural of a tree in the front of a school

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

This year, we’re proud to celebrate the next generation of educators by highlighting our students who have been inspired to pursue educational careers thanks to incredible mentors here in Exeter. Through our internship program, these students are now gaining real-world, hands-on experience in the classroom, learning directly in the schools and from the educators who once taught them. One such student is Molly Lubenow, a senior currently interning with Mrs. Weaver in Kindergarten at Jacksonwald Elementary. Molly plans to attend Arcadia University to study Early Elementary Education. Here’s how her teachers inspired her to become one herself:

Who inspired you to want to become a teacher?
My mom and aunt are both teachers and have been my biggest inspiration. They have made such an amazing impact on so many students, and I have loved seeing them at work. They are passionate and dedicated to their jobs and will do anything for their students.

Have you always wanted to be a teacher?
Yes, I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember.

Where are you completing your internship? Who have you been working with?
I am completing my internship at Jacksonwald Elementary School in Mrs. Weaver's kindergarten classroom. She has been an amazing mentor and has taught me so much.

What's your educational internship been like? Has it helped you solidify your decision to become a teacher?
My educational internship has been great. I have learned so much about the background of teaching and all that goes into it. This has finalized my decision to be an educator in the future.

Is there anything you'd like to say to recognize your teachers as you near graduation?
I could not have asked for a better experience at Exeter, and I thank all of my teachers for their dedication. 

Exeter Educational Internship Spotlight: Rachel Donnachie in 8th Grade with Mrs. Walters

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a student stands outside of an empty classroom

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

This year, we’re proud to celebrate the next generation of educators by highlighting our students who have been inspired to pursue educational careers thanks to incredible mentors here in Exeter. Through our internship program, these students are now gaining real-world, hands-on experience in the classroom, learning directly in the schools and from the educators who once taught them. One such student is Rachel Donnachie, a junior currently interning with Mrs. Stephanie Walters, a JHS English/Language Arts teacher. Rachel plans to become a speech therapist for elementary students and hopes to continue her studies at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster. Here’s how her teachers inspired her to become one herself:

Who inspired you to want to become a teacher?
Throughout my schooling years I’ve connected with so many inspiring and selfless teachers that I’m honored to know. As my mom was faced with the job of teaching me in 3rd and 4th grade, I quickly learned how hard of a task that was, and how becoming a good teacher is such an admiral job to take part in. My fifth grade teacher, Mrs Bihl, was one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. Her kindness and pure heart that had unending patience is what immediately captivated me into wanting to do better and possibly become a teacher. My junior high years were filled with excellent teachers like Mrs. Walters, who is now the most perfect mentor for me to currently intern with. As I go into senior year, my high school experience has been packed with the best teachers I’ve known. Feeling constant support and opportunities I couldn’t even imagine, they all individually inspire me to try and come close to their teaching abilities: Mrs. Stewart welcomed me into high school with open arms; Mr. Keebler taught me endless lessons I’ll never forget; Mr. Wisniewski was one of the coolest people I’ve ever met; Mrs. Lake was a person I could always rely on; Mrs. Defusco was the kindest and most relatable individual I know; and so, so, so, many more of these gems are working everywhere throughout America.

Have you always wanted to be a teacher?
As a kid, I had no clue what I wanted to be. I fell in love with singing and thought I’d be a rockstar at one point. But it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with being a teacher as I got into Sunday School teaching every week. This passion has just continued to grow, and now I can’t get enough of it.

Where are you completing your internship? Who have you been working with?
I’m currently completing my internship within Exeter Township Junior High School, working with one of my favorite teachers, Mrs. Walters. This eighth grade English class is packed with events that never disappoint to excite my day. As I connect with my students and the familiar school, I’ve gotten to know how much it takes to become a teacher and how much I truly admire people like Mrs. Walters for doing it. Mrs. Walters is open, creative, supportive, kind, understanding and the best person to intern with. I cannot say enough kind words about her.

What's your educational internship been like? Has it helped you solidify your decision to become a teacher?
My internship so far has been priceless! It comes with its challenges, but it also comes with its large rewards. Getting to know these growing students is an honor that I can’t get enough of. It’s kept me on my toes, making me realize how things won’t always go as planned, but it’s also let me see a whole new world and allowed me to find a new appreciation for teachers. I think I’ve learned that an educational field is fitting for a person like me–interacting with students and building connections is exactly something I want to pursue.

Is there anything you'd like to say to recognize your teachers as you near graduation?
I have so much love for every single one of my teachers I’ve had during high school. They’ve helped me through hard times while also preparing me for beyond. I could ramble on forever about each one of my teachers and how they got me to where I am now, but that’s just the magic of teaching. Their selflessness and their work has continued to inspire a whole new generation.

Internship Spotlight: Ariel Soto at Negron Law

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an internship spotlight flyer featuring a high school girl

Ariel Soto is a senior who just completed her fall internship at Negron Law, LLC, a general practice law firm located in Reading. While there, Ariel handled general clerical work while getting a chance to observe first-hand what daily work is like for the firm's owner, Shay Negron. Ms. Negron said that she was pleased to be a part of Exeter's internship program this year, and said it was "refreshing reminder" about how businesses can play a part in helping educate students. "Having an intern at Negron Law benefits the community, clients and students. The additional assistance, informative questions and curious insights interns bring is an enormous benefit," she said.

Q: Ariel, can you tell us a bit about what your plans are for after graduation? Have you selected a college and a major?
A: I decided I want to be a lawyer, so after graduation I will work to save for college. I am a part of early graduation in January to save money for college. I really want to go to West Chester because of their psychology program. I also want to go to the University of Pittsburgh to study psychology as well. Later on I will go to law school.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your internship? What does a typical day look like for you?
A: I help Attorney Shay with paperwork almost everyday like photocopies, paper copies, and organizing electronic files. Even if I am not doing something at the firm I am always learning from Attorney Shay.
Q: How did you select your internship? Did someone help you select it? Did you seek out the opportunity on your own? Were you asked to do the internship? 
A: My civics teacher, Mr. Witkowski helped me find my internship. He also helped me find my passion for law again. I always wanted to be a lawyer but I lost it my sophomore year into my junior year.
Q: Do you think your internship is helping you feel more confident about your decision to go to college and pursue your major?
A: This internship is helping me build confidence in the law world. This is important because you have to have confidence in this field or you are going to get walked over. This is also teaching me what an in-depth day of being a lawyer is like.
Q: What do you like most about your internship? Is there anything you don't like? 
A: I really like making the physical client files she has at the firm. I like everything here that helps me better myself.

Internship Spotlight: Zori Casiano at Exeter Smiles

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an internship spotlight flyer featuring a high school girl

Zori Casiano recently completed an internship at Exeter Smiles, an orthodontic office located near the Senior High. While there, Zori helped the staff with their daily tasks while having a chance to observe the orthodontists as they worked with patients. Chelsea Stine, Administrative Manager, said that having an intern this past semester allowed her staff to "thrive." She said, "Zori is able to take on necessary daily tasks that would otherwise be the responsibility of our staff. The staff love the extra helping hand as it frees them up to focus on our patients." Furthermore, she said that opening the office to interns has been a rewarding experience for her staff and their business as they see interns learn and take on more responsibilities throughout their semester. "It's a privilege to help give the students their first on-the-job experience. It's a career they're interested in, which makes it that much more rewarding to see them build confidence. The more time you put into teaching them, the greater the benefit to you and your company. Plus, I'm always on the lookout for future employees!"

Q: Zori, can you tell us a bit about what your plans are for after graduation? Have you selected a college and a major?

A: After graduation, I want to go to Pennsylvania College of Technology and major in Biology.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your internship? What does a typical day look like for you?

A: A typical day at my internship I would walk in and say hello to everyone and then grab a mask. I would put all the clean tools away and wait for them to bring me more.

Q: How did you select your internship? Did someone help you select it? Did you seek out the opportunity on your own? Were you asked to do the internship? 

A: With the help of Mr. Ricketts I found the right internship for me.

Q: Do you think your internship is helping you feel more confident about your decision to go to college and pursue your major?

A: Yes, it made me more confident about my decision to go into dentistry. All the new skills and challenges.

Q: What do you like most about your internship? Is there anything you don't like? 

A: The most thing that I liked about my internship was just the whole experience overall and seeing what the dentists do. I also liked how the people were so welcoming. There was nothing that I disliked.

Q: And finally, what would be your advice to a high school student who's thinking about Exeter's internship program?

A: Follow your dreams and do what makes you feel happy. Get the experience and try things out. If you find a career that interests you the must go for it.

Internship Spotlight: Richter Bogust & Jack Mulhare at RPA Engineering

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internship spotlight (1)

Richter Bogust and Jack Mulhare, both seniors, recently completed a fall internship at RPA Engineering's headquarters in Wyomissing. While there, Richter and Jack worked on various tasks to assist and help organize projects for RPA's engineers and staff. Season Evans, RPA's Director of Marketing and Communications, said that both Richter and Jack's contributions to the team were valuable throughout their fall internship. "As engineering is a licensed profession, interns are not permitted to work on actual client drawings or projects," she explained. "However, there are critical aspects of project preparation where Jack and Richter made significant contributions," specifically mentioning their assistance to help their engineers efficiently create electrical drawings by compiling information for their AutoCAD database. Even though high school interns are limited with the work they can complete as unlicensed employees, Ms. Evans said RPA's experience with them has been worthwhile and positive for their company--as well as their staff. "Richter and Jack's enthusiasm is contagious and fosters a positive, dynamic work environment that benefits from multigenerational learning and diverse perspectives," she said. But more importantly, she emphasized that the community benefits when businesses offer local employment opportunities and insight to the upcoming generation of Berks County workers. "As a company that serves national and international clients, it’s essential for high school students to realize the diverse, challenging and rewarding career opportunities that are available right here in Berks County."

Q: Can you tell us a bit about what your plans are for after graduation? Have you selected a college and a major?

Richter: After graduation, I plan to attend a 4 year college or university to major in Mechanical Engineering. At this point, I'm still undecided on where I will go.

Jack: My plan for after college is to go to a four year college (that I have not chosen yet) in business. I’m going for a degree in actuarial science.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your internship? What does a typical day look like for you?

Richter: Typically, we will get to RPA and get logged into our computers, we then check what tasks we may have been assigned, or are already working on. Throughout our time at RPA, we work to complete these various tasks, which may range from organization of documents or files, entering items into a catalog in AutoCAD (one of the engineering softwares we use) or a spreadsheet, restocking snacks available to the RPA employees, working on projects, advancing our knowledge and capabilities in Engineering softwares such as AutoCAD, Inventor, or Revit, meeting with Engineers and Project Managers, or anything else RPA Engineers and employees need completed.

Jack: On a normal day me and my other interns sit in the back of the office and we work on typing into spreadsheets that were given to us by another engineer. We work together and we work here for 2.5 hours a day.

Q: How did you select your internship? Did someone help you select it? Did you seek out the opportunity on your own? Were you asked to do the internship?

Richter: From when I first learned about Exeter's internship program, I knew that I would love to participate in an Engineering internship. During my junior year, I began working with Mr. Ricketts and a few other people from Exeter who were able to help get me possible connections. The first place that I was working with ended up falling through and I kept looking for another option. At the end of the school year, Mr. Ricketts was able to connect me with RPA.

Jack: I wanted an internship because it is something that every high school student should do. At the time I wanted to go into Engineering so I asked Mr. Rickett for help to find me an internship.

Q: Do you think your internship is helping you feel more confident about your decision to go to college and pursue your major?

Richter: This internship is showing me what engineering work is like in the real world and confirming my decision to go into the field.

Jack: This internship has been helpful because it helped in my decision to lean the other way to business.

Q: What do you like most about your internship? Is there anything you don't like?

Richter: I like most that we are able to have the opportunity to be in the environment with the engineers to see what it is like on a daily basis in an engineering company. I also like being able to speak with all the different engineers and be able to hear about what they do.

Jack: What I like most about this internship is working with my friends the whole time. I was never alone or working by myself, which is what made this time so much better.

Q: And finally, what would be your advice to a high school student who's thinking about Exeter's internship program?

Richter: I would highly recommend Exeter's internship program to any high school student that is considering an internship. An internship would give you an opportunity to "try out" a career and see what it is really like in the real world, while also earning class credit. An internship may confirm that this is what you want to do in your future, or change your mind about what exactly you want to do, even if it is only slightly.

Jack: I think everyone should do an internship in an actual outside workplace because it not only informs you about your field, but it gives you so much knowledge on basic things, such as how it feels to be in an office or inside a cubicle.

Internship Spotlight: Hannah Benderoth at the O’Pake Institute

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an internship spotlight flyer featuring a high school girl

Hannah Benderoth is a senior who completed a fall semester internship in marketing at the O'Pake Institute for Economic Development at Alvernia University in Reading. The program, which partners college students with businesses to mutually benefit both, recently began offering internships to high school students to also offer them an opportunity to work on and gain experience in high-impact projects that fuel learning while providing valuable skills to local businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits and government and community partners. While in her internship, Hannah pitched a possible business idea, which earned her an O'Pake Excellence award for going above and beyond. She worked with various start-up businesses on business card design, websites and more.

Q: Hannah, can you tell us a bit about what your plans are for after graduation? Have you selected a college and a major?

A: After high school, I am planning on attending a four-year university with a major in digital marketing. I am mainly focused on Alvernia University due to their opportunities throughout the university and at O’Pake, although, I have not fully committed anywhere yet. After I get my degree, I plan to pursue a career in the digital marketing field.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your internship? What does a typical day look like for you?

A: As a marketing and media intern at Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute, I get to work on a lot of creative projects for actual businesses in the area. I have done a fully independent website design for a publishing business, a few collaborative website designs, multiple business card creations, branding and mission presentations for companies, product research, and much more. On a typical day, I come into the office and plan out my day. I talk to my mentor to see if there is anything new she has for me to do, and then I get to work on my projects. As a digital marketing focus I am on my computer most of the day using softwares such as Wix, Canva, and Powerpoint. I communicate with other staff members and interns throughout the day and attend business meetings when scheduled.

Q: How did you select your internship? Did someone help you select it? Did you seek out the opportunity on your own? Were you asked to do the internship?

A: I found this internship through Mr. Ricketts, the internship coordinator at Exeter. I was struggling to find an internship that had exactly what I was looking for and he suggested O’Pake to me. I reached out to O’Pake, set up an interview, and found myself starting there at the beginning of the fall semester this year.

Q: Do you think your internship is helping you feel more confident about your decision to go to college and pursue your major?

A: The O’Pake Institute has been the biggest factor in deciding what I am doing with my future. Before senior year, I had no clue what I wanted to do or where I wanted to do it. When I started getting experiences at O’Pake in the field that I am in, that really settled it for me. I fell in love with the opportunities that Alvernia University gave and continues to give me, and I finally found a career field that fully interests me.

Q: What do you like most about your internship? Is there anything you don't like?

A: I like a lot of things about O’Pake, but something I always love to highlight is the fact that I can work with real businesses and companies at a high school level. They make sure I have all the help and materials I need, but otherwise I get creative freedom. I always get opportunities that are enjoyable and beneficial to me. Nothing ever feels like busy work, and I am building both hard and soft skills while I am communicating and working with clients. I also like to
mention to people that O’Pake has more than just marketing opportunities; they have interns who focus in communications, finance, and even engineering. I think it is really cool that they offer opportunities to people with many different interests. Although, one thing I would mention is that the workload varies from focus to focus, at least from what I have seen. Sometimes I will have five different projects, and others will only have one or two depending on what they are interning for and for how long they are interning for. I wouldn’t say that is a bad thing, but definitely something to note. They will never give you too much work and they will help those feeling overwhelmed with their workloads too. I really have nothing but good things to say about O’Pake.

Q: And finally, what would be your advice to a high school student who's thinking about Exeter's internship program?

A: If you are a high school student thinking about the internship program I would definitely recommend going for it. Make sure you find an internship that you will both enjoy and get a lot out of. Even if it doesn’t end up being something that you want to pursue, it will at least help you figure that out and let you dip your feet into real-world work experiences.