THE PREMIERE PROGRAM FOR ALL GRADUATING SENIORS, THE MAGEN DAVID YESHIVAH HIGH SCHOOL NEXT SENIOR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, TRIED A NEW COURSE OF ACTION THIS YEAR. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, UPON RETURNING FROM PASSOVER BREAK, OUR SENIOR STUDENTS HAVE EMBARKED ON A MONTH-LONG, IN-PERSON INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE. THE CALENDAR THIS YEAR SEEMED TO DETERMINE AN ALTERNATIVE TIME THAT WOULD DELIVER THE BEST RESULTS FOR OUR STUDENTS. SO THIS YEAR, ALONG WITH THE NEW YEAR, CAME NEW OPPORTUNITIES, AND IN JANUARY, OUR MDY SENIORS EMBARKED ON THE ‘THEORY-IN-PRACTICE’ PORTION OF OUR PROGRAM.
Program Director Mrs. Beth Goldberg, and Assistant Coordinator Mrs. Helene Dwek, found that this new time period brought some hidden perks and were off and running with this new time frame. There are a lot of steps that happen consecutively to make sure each student is placed in the best internship, with the best mentor, for them. With the optimistic outlook that drives the NEXT Program, grounded in trust in Hashem, our amazing students, and our incredibly accommodating and welcoming mentors, the work began!
Resume Writing and Interviewing workshops were arranged, and over 114 meetings (with many follow-ups) were set. Every single student had at least one private meeting with Mrs. Goldberg and Mrs. Dwek to discuss future plans, areas of interest, experience, and everything else that goes into the NEXT stage of life for a graduating senior. Reaching out to mentors who we’ve worked with in the past, as well as making new connections could be daunting, but not when it comes to our community. We are blessed with group leaders that want to share, give back, and guide our students in all areas of business, from real estate, to interior design, to medicine, to wholesale, to education, to law, to sports management, to retail, to physical therapy, and the list goes on and on.
As the students embarked into new territory, leaving behind the familiar comfort of their warm embracing high school environment, we were amazed with the incredible results in such a small window of time. Waking up and attending prayers, taking the train to the city, finding parking, making arrangements for lunch and so on. What we knew, and the students would soon realize, was the greatness of this gift that MDYHS provides them. Everyone was able to see what “the real world” will be like. Each day provided another opportunity to gain more knowledge and actual experience in a prospective field of their choosing. The days may have passed very quickly but they were jam packed with incredible experiences and a solid foundation for their future. Yes, it is truly a gift! One that we are all so grateful for and will continue to provide for our students, no matter what time of year!
