By Ryan Creegan
Staff Writer

This is the first of a three part series on senior internships.

A few short years ago, junior job shadows were considered a strange and somewhat foreign concept here at Westford Academy. Now fully integrated into the school system, staff members are trying their hardest to do the same with the senior internship program.

A pet project of principal Jim Antonelli, the senior internship program has grown rapidly in recent years, from about 40 students to about 175 students last year. Even with recent limits and restrictions set forth by administration, there seems to be no drop off in the number of those who will be going on an internship this year.

Though administration may be policing the internship more heavily this year, that does not mean they don’t wish it to succeed. In fact, Antonelli believes that within the next 5 years the entire senior class will be going out on internships, much like the junior job shadow program, which was only introduced a few years ago.

To many, this is of little concern, but many seniors still wonder why this year paid internships were cut from the program. Interestingly enough, less than 10% of the 172 approved internships last year were paid. The reasons given why these few internships were eliminated were simply explained: the Department of Education mandated such to ensure the integrity of such programs; faculty and administration also wanted to see the internship be something that equaled class time.

“From the faculty’s perspective, the change they want to see is that everything is as rigorous as being in class for 7 blocks at Westford Academy. It should be just as challenging,” said guidance counselor Wendy Pechacek.

It is understandable why administration and the guidance department want to add legitimacy to the program. Many in both offices see it as a stepping-stone to opportunities in the future.

“I believe strongly that the second half of the year, or at least the last quarter, that seniors can certainly handle going out and testing the waters in an occupation they may have some interest in,” said Antonelli.