Alternative School Students Meet the Working World

Some may believe that a January of internships for Scarsdale Alternative School students means an extra month off from school. However, the reality is that A-school students learn just as much and work as hard as their friends in the traditional High School program; they just do it differently.

Founded in 1973, the SAS internship program is one of the oldest high school internship programs in the country. In January, all Alternative School classes are excused to allow students to pursue an internship. In addition to an internship, most students continue to take a few courses at SHS and participate in winter after-school sports, which can sometimes make scheduling and transportation difficult. Students travel throughout Westchester, New York City, and even sometimes abroad to intern at a company or organization of their interest. This year, SAS is represented throughout the city and Westchester. Teenagers who were students just four weeks ago are now doctors, lawyers, realtors, interior designers, animal trainers, musicians, journalists, teachers, and politicians. Here is a sampling of experiences of just a few Scarsdale Alternative School students.

Junior Ryan Marx is working at Tommy Boy Records, an independent record label that focuses on hip-hop and dance music. Ryan’s main task this month is to research hundreds of different artists that are competing in the record company’s New Music Seminar Contest. He says, “My job is pretty stressful knowing that the lives of many young artists are in my hands.” Ryan has learned many new computer skills including how to create large quantities of labeled CDs. Also, working with the CEO of the label, Tom Silverman, has been one of Ryan’s favorite parts of the job. “So far, it has been a great learning experience and a great introduction to the music business.”

Senior Rachel Weinstock is working at the New York State Supreme Court in downtown Manhattan under the sponsorship of Judge Judith Gische, a civil court judge. Rachel is having an unbelievable experience. She has witnessed what goes on behind the scenes of the courtroom and attended various conferences. She has also observed two other judges preside over their courtrooms as well as a jury selection. Rachel loves the fact that her co-workers treat her as if she were a professional. She enjoys learning the ins and outs of the judicial system and finds it interesting to see why people are suing each other. Rachel says, “I like the job a lot and I am really going to miss it.”

Sophomore Jake Bank is interning with Coach S.W. at Fox Meadow Elementary School. He helps by making lesson plans, teaching classes, and doing demonstrations for the students. The gym classes are currently playing volleyball so Jake has introduced the kids to the over hand serve, forearm pass, and set. Jake has also had the opportunity to instruct classes on his own with only the supervision of an aide. Jake has found teaching to be challenging and fun and has enjoyed working with young children. He feels truly appreciated by Coach S.W. and the students.

Interning at L’Oreal is sophomore Claire D’Silva. Primarily in the marketing department, Claire has had the opportunity to work with both the Kerastase and Shu Uermura brands. Her main tasks are doing research on using social media as a marketing tool and meeting with various offices to compare the two brands. Claire’s main project is an hour-long presentation about what she learned through her research and some of her ideas for the company. She shared her work with the President and Vice President of Marketing for the two brands as well as the head marketers. Claire says, “It has been a great experience and I love it. This internship has given me the opportunity to apply many of the things I learned in school to a real life setting. I feel like I have become more independent, especially when navigating the city and subway system by myself.”

Senior Matt Jacobs is interning with Joan Frederick, one of Houlihan Lawrence’s foremost real estate agents. Matt has learned what to look for when buying and selling a house, how to relate to customers involved with a transaction, and many other aspects of the business. He also enjoyed meeting with potential clients in their homes. Matt says “It has been a great opportunity to learn about something I knew nothing about. Although at times I do some busy work, I feel it is essential to understanding what a first job is like and well worth my time considering the valuable knowledge I gain during the more active times. As a senior, this is my final A-School internship and I feel I have learned a lot about myself and what kind of work is I find to be most enjoyable.”

The SAS internship program gives students a taste of the real world. In order to get their assignment, the students have to contact prospective sponsors, schedule interviews, and act like mature professionals. Many students learn how to navigate the city and transportation systems and have to travel by themselves. Sometimes real life issues affect the internship. For instance, last year a student could not complete his internship at a Wall Street firm due to the financial crisis; and a student who wished to work in the theatre found that many Broadway shows had closed. Furthermore, SAS students get to witness the consequences of being late in the “real world,” and how being assertive can really make a difference in their work experience.

The January internship is a staple of the Alternative School curriculum, and has provided memorable experiences for generations of students.