The Malcolm K. Douglas Summer Internship Program

Our students have learned to put their free time to good use. So, when a veteran teacher read a national publication's article about the city of Roanoke's rebirth and imagined our students participating in these successful businesses and organizations during the summer, he found an eager crowd of upper-schoolers ready to sign up. His hope was not only to build our students' experience in the 'real world,' but also to entice them to return to these hometown opportunities after college. Thus, the Malcolm K. Douglas Summer Internship Program was born.

Benefits

The North Cross School Summer Internship Program is designed to provide rising 10th, ​11th and 12th grade students an opportunity to enhance their educational experience and explore career possibilities. It will provide exposure for some of the school’s most mature and responsible students to regional businesses, educational and medical institutions, cultural programs, and community service organizations. ​

​There are many potential benefits for the student:
  • They will gain an insight into how the work world functions.
  • They will explore possible career choices.
  • They will learn skills that will serve them well in their professional lives.
  • They could make a connection for future employment.
  • They will receive training in the preparation for and conduct of an interview
  • They can add an impressive piece to their college application resume.
There are also benefits to North Cross.
  • The School puts some of its best students into meaningful work in the community.
  • The School’s reputation as the premier independent education in the region is enhanced
  • North Cross becomes a more active, visible participant in Roanoke’s development.
The Roanoke community benefits by identifying and nurturing young talent and encouraging them to stay involved locally in their professional lives. 

Program Details

The scope of the internship will be determined by the student and the host organization. There are no specific requirements for the time worked.
  • To start, the program director will identify prospective hosts, create a summary of the potential activities, then present this to interested students.
  • Interviews will follow with the host. This will clarify the student’s interests and abilities. The host will then determine if the student is a fit for their needs.
The internship may be designed to give the student a grasp of the breadth of the host’s activities, or it could be project driven, so that both student and host will see a tangible benefit produced. Ideally both goals will be incorporated into the plan. 

The intern will be closely monitored during the internship by the program director to insure compliance with the School’s and the host’s expectations. Their conduct, punctuality, dress, and job performance will need to meet the standards set forth by North Cross and by the host organization. 
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During and at the conclusion of the internship, students will be expected to maintain an account of their activities. They may be asked to present their experience at an Upper School assembly the following year. 

Internships are voluntary in nature. The school does not cover students off campus for accidents or liability.
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Download a brochure
Internships Offered:
  • Balzar and Associates (Architects)
  • ​Carilion Cardiovascular Institute
  • Epidemiology - Infectious Disease
  • Healing Strides
  • The Hotel Roanoke
  • Lewis Gale Hospital
  • MB Contractors
  • ​Mill Mountain Theatre​ 
  • North Cross School - Alumni Relations 
  • Novozymes Biological Inc. 
  • Punch Boutique
  • Quick Fix Real Estate 
  • Risk Management Solutions
  • Raleigh Court Health
  • Roanoke County GIS (Geographical Information Systems)
  • Roanoke Regional Chamber
  • Roanoke Star Soccer Club​
  • Salem Red Sox
  • The Science Museum of Western Virginia
  • Slovinsky Law
  • University Physical Therapy
​The above list contains the internships available for 2019. ​This is a working list and new opportunities are being posted regularly. Check back often for updates.

If you'd like to propose your own Internship, download and complete the Internship Opportunity form and return to Malcolm Douglas.

Application:

In order to apply for an internship, the student and parent/guardian must review carefully the following documents included in the download. After placement, by signing the "Agreements," included in the download, the student and family agree to the rules and conduct described therein.
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Application: Download, carefully review, complete and submit to Malcolm Douglas or Sharnice Mayo. After your placement, you'll need to also complete the Student/Host Agreement and Parental Consent Forms also included in this download. These forms represent a binding contract.
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For more information:
​Malcolm Douglas
mdouglas@northcross.org
Director, Internship Program
Yale University—B.A.
University of Virginia—M.Ed.
Appointed 1999