Cherry Hill West High School is home to a unique internship opportunity for seniors. Students are invited to take a half-day during their senior year to intern at a company that correlates with their aspirations. This year’s internships include Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Quality First Solutions, and Environmental Resolutions, inc. 

Micah Addun, a junior at West, is hoping to observe the medical field at Jefferson next fall. The Lion’s Roar staff met with Addun to understand more about the internship application process and the reason why students put themselves through it.

Q: Hi Micah. What specific internship are you hoping to receive?

A: Hi. I want to intern for Jefferson Healthcare. I have wanted this internship since freshman orientation when someone from Virtua spoke.

Q: What exactly inspired you to apply for this internship?

A: Well, I’m really close with my guidance counselor. I always ask her for advice, and she said “I know you’re interested in the medical field, so I feel like this would be a very good learning opportunity for you.”

Q: So, what does the Jefferson Healthcare internship entail?

A: So, seven students are selected to intern at the Jefferson hospital in Cherry Hill. They observe doctors in the ER and in the OR and in the pharmacy.

Q: What is the internship application process like?

A: Each student needs two letters of recommendation–one from someone outside of the school district and one from a teacher in the science field. You also need a copy of your transcript, a cover letter, and a resume. Then, the student haves an interview with Ms. Castellani and other Cherry Hill West and Jefferson hospital staff.

Q: What is the most stressful part of the internship application process?

A: Definitely preparing for the interview.

Q: What do you think makes you a strong candidate for this specific internship?

A: I believe I’m a good applicant because I’m interested in going into the healthcare field, especially the nursing field. With that passion, I am eager to learn from the Jefferson staff. 

Q: Finally, what are you hoping to get out of the internship?

A: I am hoping to gain experience that will help me in my future career. I want to be a nurse.