Proposal of a Joint
Saint Thomas Academy/Convent of the Visitation
Internship Program
Overview
The proposed internship program is a continuation of the learning fundamentals developed at Saint Thomas Academy/Convent of the Visitation. The schools do an excellent job of preparing its young men and women for college. Many of those students attend colleges and universities that are far away from the Twin Cities. When they return to the Twin Cities, their high schools and classmates are usually the primary ways of reconnecting with this community.
This program’s intention is to expand that Saint Thomas Academy/Visitation connection, and to aid our young alumni /alumnae in their careers. Internships give a significant advantage to a student as he/she progress toward a career. STA and Visitation encourage their students to attend premier colleges, but then what? Many times, the college placement offices are geographically focused, not helping the student who wants to return home. STA and Vis, through their alumni/alumnae, friends and parent community, have a significant base to provide career advancements to recent graduates. However, to make this work we need a broad involvement from the communities.
It may take time to develop this base but I believe we need to help these young men and women towards their successes. Saint Thomas Academy and Visitation pride themselves on community. I think this community will embrace the idea of an internship program.
Timing of process
We need to line up prospective employers now to interview candidates on December 30,2008.
I suggest we hold this process at the same time each year. Preferably, this would be done during winter break, because most of the students would be home for the holidays. This would give the Academy and Visitation students an advantage of being out front of many internship hires, however, not by much.
Process
This will greatly depend on the numbers of internships available. Limits will be placed on the students and the prospective employers to provide a balanced approach to the process.
Please consider providing an internship opportunity to Saint Thomas Academy alumni and Convent of the Visitation alumnae. If you are interested in helping the program, please download the application below and fax it to the STA Advancement Office (651-454-0995).
Thank you,
Christopher J. Lee ’73
