Work Based Learning Experiences
Internships, Youth Apprenticeship, and More
Please Note: Advertisement of these opportunities does not constitute sponsorship or endorsement of the sponsoring organization or the enrichment opportunity by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific FCPS school. This opportunity may utilize a technology tool that has not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review and agree to the Terms of Service and User Agreements for any technology platform that enrichment opportunity may use before participating.
Want your organization's internship, youth apprenticeship, and other work experience opportunities for high school students listed here?
Contact the Edison Academy Career Experience Specialist, ecwilliford@fcps.edu.
Student Internships and Enrichment Opportunities
Students taking a Business or Marketing course may take part in student internships during the school year. Students should connect with their teacher for internship opportunities.
Be sure to look for Work-based learning and enrichment opportunities in Student Naviance also to find internships.
Links to internships and student internship information.
When researching student internships be sure to read the descriptions carefully to be sure they are for high school students. If you find an internship of interest to you but are not certain if you qualify for it, please reach out to the Edison Academy Career Experience Specialist (or your teacher or Academy support team member) to have them help you review the opportunity to help you determine your eligibility. Many internships have requirements or qualifications that must be met to apply such as citizenship, age, course of study you are engaged in, and others.
Architect of the Capitol Internships
Bank of America Student Leadership Internships
Chegg Internships - This search engine is useful for finding internships with many organizations all over the country and abroad.
Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, GMU, and Children's Science Center internships.
Department of the Treasury Internship
Google Computer Science Summer Institute
George Washington's Mount Vernon Facilities - after school and weekend internship (Download the information document or contact ecwilliford@fcps.edu for details.)
Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
John Hopkins ASPIRE Internships (STEM)
Mitre.org - Early High School and other Student Internships
NASA Internship and Other Student Work Opportunities
NIH Internship (Health & Medical)
NSA Gifted and Talented STEM Internship ( and other programs sponsored for students by NSA)
NSA STEM Engagement Internship
Smithsonian Institution Internship
The Intern Group - Internships Abroad
University of Maryland Eastern Shore Geosciences Bridge Program Internships
US Government Pathways Internships (use this link to find multiple opportunities with US government agencies)
UVA Library Internship ( 2 hours from DC metro area)
Youth Registered Apprenticeships (YRA)
Students have an opportunity to work for a sponsoring employer as a youth apprentice to gain on-the-job work experience while studying in a level 2 or level 3 trades class and completing academic high school classes for graduation. Apprentices may continue in the occupation as adult apprentices with the same or a different employer after high school graduation.
To become a Youth Registered Apprentice students must:
Be enrolled in a level 2 or level 3 class in Automotive Technology, Carpentry, Construction Technology, Electrical Construction and Engineering, or the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program.
- Attain a minimum of 144 hours of classroom instruction in their connected (CTE) course (courses listed above). Students may receive retroactive credit for classroom hours from their level 1 classes.
- Attain at least 2,000 hours of work (on-the-job training) in a 2 year period with a sponsoring employer.
- Students must provide their own transportation to and from their assigned job site.
Actively Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in Virginia as of Spring 2021
- Electricians
- Mechanics
- Cosmetologist
- Plumbers
- HVAC Technicians
- Heavy Equipment Operators
- And areas of growth such as IT/Cyber and Engineering Technicians
Apprenticeship Course for High School Course Credit
Students who have a sponsoring employer may take the FCPS Apprenticeship Course, 984100 and receive course credit in addition to their enrolled CTE course credit if all conditions of the Youth Apprenticeship are satisfied.
YRA Opportunities
FCPS Trades for Tomorrow YRA
FCPS Trades for Tomorrow Apprenticeships in FCPS Facilities will be offered in 2021. Students must be currently studying in, or will be taking in 2021-22, a level 2 or 3 CTE course (Automotive Technology 2 or 3, Carpentry 2 or 3, Construction Technology 2, Electrical Construction & Engineering 2 or 3, or HVAC & Refrigeration 2). These opportunities will be offered at five FCPS work locations, paying $13.70 per hour. Students will be eligible to work full-time in the summer and after high school graduation.
- Applications will be taken through submission of a resume submitted June 1, 2021. Recommendation letter submissions are highly encouraged.
- Interviews of applicants will take place on June 7, 2021.
- All interested students are encouraged to attend the May 25, Back2Fairfax Operational Virtual Event from 5-7 p.m. Details will be posted here soon for how to join this event.
Other YRA Opportunities
Other opportunities may exist for youth registered apprentices. Students may reach out to their CTE teacher or the Edison Academy Career Experience Specialist, Eugenia Williford to get connected to the VDOLI- Youth Apprenticeships coordinator(s) for assistance with finding sponsoring employers.
Other Student Employment Opportunities
Students may participate in local Teen Job Fairs to find other paid employment opportunities.