LHRIC internships bolster summer projects while providing valuable experience

Districts appreciate opportunities for students and support at critical time of year

Interns Brianna Valencia and Ashley Flores worked in the Pelham Memorial High School library on a recent morning, de-provisioning old Chromebooks. Brianna read off serial numbers as Ashley logged them on a spreadsheet.

“It’s nice to be able to work to help the district get ready for the upcoming school year,” Brianna said.

“As an elementary school teacher,” Ashley added, “I had to set up my own classroom with computers, so I think this (experience) was a big help.”

The LHRIC’s summer internship program this year placed 42 students in technology support positions in local schools. LHRIC interns also worked in Tuckahoe, Carmel, Eastchester, Valhalla, Katonah-Lewisboro, Mount Vernon, Mahopac, Hastings-on-Hudson, Pleasantville, South Orangetown, Rockland BOCES, Pearl River, Hendrick Hudson and New Rochelle.

John Sebalos, Pelham’s Director of Technology, said the program provides career preparation for students and staff support to districts at a critical time of year.

“It’s a great way for these kids to learn while giving back to their community,” Mr. Sebalos said.

The internship program was inspired 25 years ago by the need to complete key summer projects, explains LHRIC Project Manager Craig Fendrich.

“During the summer, when schools are closed, we do many projects so that by September all the new technology is implemented,” Mr. Fendrich said.

From the start, workplace skills were emphasized in addition to technology experience.

Increasingly, interns were made available to districts. Around 40 each year are provided as a cooperative service. The LHRIC handles recruiting, hiring, payroll and routine check-ins and sets high expectations for interns’ work environment and assigned duties.

Most interns attend local high schools and return year after year. 

“We have a lot of employees who were interns,” Mr. Fendrich said. “Some of our top-level engineers were interns.”

“I think it’s a great opportunity for kids interested in technology,” said LHRIC Network Specialist Kenny Gendron, a summer intern in 2015 and 2016. “The LHRIC is a great working environment and offers a good transition from school to work.”

Tuckahoe High School intern Frank Loiacono will study finance at Quinnipiac University this fall.

“I’m interested in technology and the technical side of finance,” Frank said “(Interning is) a great opportunity. I’m glad that it came up for me.”