We Give them Something to Talk About HCE's Family of Social Enterprises
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The BEST program
is a shared-time program designed to expose students to technology.
Students learn first-hand what it's like to work in high-tech
environments. Site visits, mentoring, shadowing and summer internships all
provide students with opportunities to learn more about careers in
scientific, engineering and technology-related fields. Additionally,
workshops and seminars held after school or on weekends offer students
information about high-tech careers, guidance in college planning, and a
chance to develop work skills. The BEST
Program plays a critical role in career exploration for special needs
students by providing an array of job shadowing experiences in
technology-driven worksites. Job shadowing is a bit more involved than a
site visit. It allows the student to spend a concentrated period of time
observing (shadowing) a professional, or team of professionals. BEST
Program students have the opportunity to participate in internship
experiences. Most internships will take place between the junior and
senior years of high school, although some students are ready to work in
internships as early as the sophomore year. Internships will occur during
the school year for one half of the student’s day. Site
visits, job shadowing, and mentoring are all important destinations of the
BEST Program, but paid internships have the greatest impact on students.
The paid internship component also defines the BEST Program and sets it
apart from other school-based activities and programs. Internships help
students to develop skills, meet professionals in varied occupations, gain
invaluable work experience (and sometimes permanent employment), and learn
about high tech career opportunities—all while earning a stipend for
their contributions to the organization. HCE develops these internships in
partnership with the local On Stop through it Youth Funding.
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