Photo by Richard Hurd
MMSD Summer Internship Program Gives Students Hands-On Experience in District Departments
MADISON, Wis.—Over the past several weeks, high school students in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) stepped into professional roles across the district through MMSD’s Summer Internship Program, gaining first-hand experience in departments like communications, building services, athletics, library services and career and technical education.
From June 23 through July 31, interns worked part-time in departments housed at the Doyle Administration Building and throughout the district, while participating in professional development and career planning. The program provided students with paid, supervised work placements and the opportunity to explore career pathways aligned with their interests and strengths.
“This experience is about more than building résumés, it’s about helping students see themselves as professionals,” said Annie Johnston, MMSD’s work-based learning coordinator. “Our interns practiced communication, teamwork and initiative in real work environments. And most importantly, they left the summer with a clearer idea of what they want for their future, and how to get there.”
Interns met weekly for professional development sessions covering workplace readiness, networking and career goal-setting. At the end of the program, students presented what they had learned, including how the internship shaped their aspirations and built connections between classroom learning and job skills.
The internship program reflects MMSD’s commitment to providing students with real-world learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. By embedding paid, career-connected opportunities into the school experience, the district is helping students link their interests to possible futures and take concrete steps toward their goals.
“Career-connected learning is essential to our vision for student success,” said Cindy Green, assistant superintendent of strategy and innovation. “By embedding opportunities like internships into the high school experience, we help students graduate not only with a diploma, but with a sense of purpose and a foundation for what comes next.”
In addition to the summer internship program, MMSD continues to expand experiential learning year-round through youth apprenticeships, job shadowing, and community-based opportunities. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure every student is academically prepared and ready to thrive in college, career and community life.
To learn more about MMSD’s experiential learning programs, please visit the District’s website.
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About the Madison Metropolitan School District: The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The District’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the District’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.