Minnetonka Summer Student Technology Internship now in Third Year

2016 Summer Tech Interns, photo used with permission.

This is the third summer that our Technology Department is running a student internship program. They will hire six students to work from 8am until noon each weekday. The program was started by our Executive Director of Technology, Mike Dronen, and provides students with real world experiences working in the technology support field. Students are able to help out and contribute back to Minnetonka by assisting with some of the summer technology support needs.

Applicants must be at 14 years old to apply. Having a strong technology background and knowledge is not a requirement, and our tech staff train students as needed. Potential interns must have one letter of recommendation from a staff member in order to apply. Applicants go through an interview process and those who are hired participate in an orientation.

Much of the work the student interns do is alongside one of our Building Technicians. They remove the technology from classrooms, such as teacher and student workstations, so each classroom can be cleaned over the summer. Afterwards, they return and set up the equipment back in the room. They do projector maintenance in each classroom, too. Student interns help the tech staff with data closet work and network equipment swapping. They assist with equipment rotation between sites and help install new wireless access points. Interns also do some software and hardware troubleshooting and assist with repair, adding RAM, etc.

Each summer we purchase some new iPads for our 1:1 program and then recycle the older devices from graduating seniors to our fifth graders. This June we will be collecting about 2,500 iPads from seniors and two other grade levels for replacement. The student interns will assist with inspection and cleaning of these iPads before they are rotated to our younger students.

I know the students and our Technology Department staff enjoy meeting and working with one another. This program gives our tech staff an opportunity interact, build some relationships with students and better understand whom they are serving. The student interns also get to do the same as well as learn about some of the behind the scenes work and support staff who are working hard to make their educational experience a success. Additionally, and due to a fuller understanding of what it takes to manage technology in a school district, another result of the internship experience is that interns take on an ambassador role for technology among their peers. Below is the full job description:

Summer Minnetonka Student Technology Internship Program

The purpose of the Minnetonka Summer Student Technology Internship Program is to provide real world experiences for Minnetonka students, working in the technology support field. The program allows students to contribute back to their school district by assisting with some of the summer technology support needs of the Technology Department.

As the internship program is an authentic employment experience, students will be required to meet the standard expectations held by employers. Deep technology fluency will not be required for selection as an intern. Students must be at least 14 years of age to participate in this program.

Application Process

• Students will require at least one recommendation by a Minnetonka staff member for application to the program. 

• Application will be made online, will include a criminal background check and mimic a real world application process, possibly including a short interview.

Job Responsibilities

• Moving, arranging and setting up computers, iPads and classroom technology peripherals

• Setup and verification of classroom technical systems

• Basic software installation and verification

• Assisting with inventory and record keeping of assets

• Troubleshooting and light repair work

• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Qualifications

• Student should have an interest in the technology field

• Should be able to troubleshoot and do basic problem solving specific to technical systems

• Should have some experience/leadership in helping others use technology

• Must be at least 14 years of age

• Ability to take direction and work as a team member.

• Evidence of the ability to be a self-starter combining discipline and motivation.

• Evidence of troubleshooting skills and the ability to learn while doing.

• Able to maintain confidentiality.

• Good communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers and supervisor.