Summer Internships Offer Students Firsthand Work Experience in STEM, History, and Community Engagement Fields

Seven students inaugurated the community engagement internship program this summer, acquiring hands-on experience at Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, High Spirit East Community, Land’s Sake Farm, Waltham Boys & Girls Club, Waltham Family School, Weston Recreation Department, and the office of State Representative Marjorie Decker.

“It’s important to me that Rivers is positioned as a resource to our local community and that our students get to learn from our community partners as co-educators, while experiencing real-world applications of the work and causes that are important to them,” says Director of Community Engagement Lucas Malo.

Following last year’s first-ever summer history internship, two students conducted archival research as interns at the Framingham History Center and the Sudbury Historical Society this summer. History Department Chair and John B. Jarzavek Teaching Chair Ben Leeming P’17, ’19, ’21 organizes the history internships and emphasizes a desire to continue expanding the program. “Next year, in addition to Framingham and Sudbury, I expect to add Natick Historical Society,” he says. “But there is so much room for growth!” 

Founded in 2005, the science internship program is Rivers’ longest-running, and 27 students participated this year. “This year’s group of interns were very impressive, both in the wide range of areas they pursued and the level of professionalism they were able to reach,” says Michael Schlenker P’26, program leader and Upper School science teacher. “They succeeded in areas new to them, like cancer research and physical therapy. I can easily picture them succeeding in careers in these fields in 10 or 15 years. I would want them as my doctors, vets, and PTs, as well as researching diseases and treatments!”