Key to Career is the internship program at Darlington County School District. Key to Career is a paid internship program that assists high school students in gaining valuable experience before they ever graduate. We have partnered with over 100 different businesses in fields including manufacturing, healthcare, public service, small business management, and more! Here are some FAQ's about this program.

Business Partner Information

Participating in youth work-based learning experiences offers businesses an immeasurable return on investment. Some of these are:

• • Meet staffing needs by utilizing student interns

  • Recruit, develop, and evaluate potential employees

  • Gain insight and fresh perspective from highly-motivated students

  • Promote your company as a community partner

  • Provide leadership opportunities for your employees serving as mentors

  • Increase awareness about the skills needed within your industry

Process

• • School officials identify student interns to participate in the program and work with students on professional skills.

  • Employers identify positions suitable for student interns and provide Business Engagement Coordinator with job descriptions and rate of pay. We ask employers to consider paying our students $10 per hour. 

  • Employers interview and select their interns. Employers sometimes require pre-employment screening, including drug screening and background checks, after internship offers are accepted by students. All students complete confidentiality agreements during their pre-employment training at their high school. 

  • Students participate in Signing Day to celebrate the upcoming internship commitment. Students begin work after Signing Day. 

  • Employers identify a mentor who will work with the intern, providing safety and procedural guidance. 

  • Students report their working hours to the Business Engagement Coordinator weekly. 

  • Mentors and business representatives evaluate interns at the end of the internship period that typically lasts 12 weeks.

  • At the end of the internship period, employers and interns gain valuable information and experiences to assist in future workforce decisions. If the employer is in a position to do so, job offers for available positions may be made at this time.

Contact Dr. Shannon Flowers at 843-398-6214 or Mrs. Nicki Spears at 843-326-7546 for more information about Key to Career Internships Buisness Partner Opportunities.

Student Information

Are you looking for a career and not just a job?

Eligible juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply for an internship through the Key to Career program, which provides work-based learning opportunities for our students. If you aren't sure about what career path to take, participating in an internship can help guide you when making career decisions. Anyone can get a job; Key to Career is about helping you find your career.

What is an internship?

An internship is an opportunity to work for a local company for a minimum of 40 hours with a mentor, learning work-based, leadership, and professional skills. Students can register for the internship course at their high school, or if you are enrolled at DCIT we can work with your instructor on class scheduling. Talk to your counselor or career specialist for more information.

To be eligible to apply for an internship, students must:

• not have a record of serious behavior or attendance infractions, specifically within the past two years

• not be failing any courses

• have at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher or employer

• pass an employer-requested drug test

Eligible students must also be open to coaching, genuinely want to participate in the program, and be willing to make the internship your priority, behind academics, for the 12 weeks of work.

Contact Dr. Shannon Flowers at 843-398-6214 or Mrs. Nicki Spears at 843-326-7546 to inquire about being a Key to Career Student Intern!