Students at New Ulm High School are gaining real-world job experience through the school’s internship class, which allows seniors to work with local businesses during the school day while earning academic credit. The internship program runs throughout the school year and connects students with businesses in New Ulm, allowing them to explore potential careers and develop workplace skills before graduation.

According to internship teacher Mrs. Longtin, the program helps students better prepare for life after high school by giving them hands-on experience in a professional setting.

“This class gives students the chance to see what a real job is like before they graduate,” Longtin said. “They learn responsibility, communication, and time management in ways you just can’t always teach in a classroom.”

Longtin explained that many students enter the program not knowing what career path they want to pursue. She said the internship allows them to test out different possibilities while still in school.

Senior Kyle Albrecht is one of the students participating in the program this year. He said his internship has helped him better understand what working in his field is actually like.

“I’m interning at an electrician company, New Ulm Current, and it’s been fun to see how everything works on a real job site,” Albrecht said.

Albrecht said the experience has been different from learning about electrical work in a classroom setting. “It’s a lot different than just learning about it in class,” he said.

Albrecht also explained that working with professionals has taught him new skills and shown him what a normal workday looks like for electricians. He said the internship has helped him feel more confident about pursuing a career in the trade after graduation.

For students questioning whether to take the internship class, it is a good opportunity to gain real-world experience and prepare for a future career.