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Alignment Collaborative for Education - ACE

Archives for June 2024

First Responder Internship Launches as a Multi-Municipal Partnership

This summer, ten high school students from school districts U-46, 300, and 301 had the opportunity to participate in the First Responder Internship offered by the Bartlett Police Department, Hanover Park Fire Department, and Hanover Township Emergency Services. This internship allows students to explore all aspects of this career pathway as it gives them a chance to get a feel for what it would be like to work in jobs such as criminal justice, emergency response, fire safety, forensic science, healthcare, and public safety. 

Between practicing search and seizure scenarios and fingerprint collection at the Bartlett Police Department, earning CPR certifications at the Hanover Park Fire Department along with using drone technology at Hanover Township Emergency Services, this internship offers many hands-on opportunities that help prepare these interns for the workforce. Aside from learning about First Responder careers, students have been able to form bonds with one another and create ever-lasting memories. Karissa Hernandez, a student from Dundee Crown High School, goes on to say “… It’s like a community here. They really are brothers and sisters.” 

As a high school intern for the Alignment Collaborative for Education, I had the great opportunity to be on-site and witness all of the captivating activities taking place. I was blown away by the vast amount of career paths they get to explore as well as all the different aspects of each one respectively. I learned an immense amount of valuable information solely by watching these interns. This internship helps prepare students going into the First Responder industry, giving them a strong grasp of what it is truly like to work in this field while also gaining valuable life skills that they can carry with them no matter the career. Any students who have even the slightest bit of interest in any of the career paths associated with being a First Responder should consider applying for this internship in the summer of 2025. It is a great opportunity with an even greater reward.

Article by Imaan Azeem, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, Elgin High School
Video Producer: Addison Tinerella, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, South Elgin High School
Video Assistant: Imaan Azeem, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, Elgin High School

Thank you to the Seigle Foundation

Mark and Robin Seigle with Governing Board Chair Bill Wright at EXPLORE 2022
Mark and Robin Seigle with Governing Board Chair Bill Wright at EXPLORE 2022

Alignment was recognized by the Seigle Foundation with a $37,000 grant award in support of its work to prepare our youth for future personal and career success.

This generous funding will allow Alignment to continue expanding its work-based learning initiatives for middle and high school students throughout the U-46, 300 and 301 school districts. That work includes career exploration as early as middle school advancing to more specialized, industry specific opportunities for high school students and includes Resume Workshops, Career and Technical Panels, Postsecondary Days, and Job Fairs. Through our growing Internship Program, students will have the opportunity to be placed in various work-based learning settings across multiple industry clusters. These opportunities are made available by Alignment’s large network of over 200 partners committed to building a future workforce that meets the economic and social growth of the community.  

Nancy Coleman, Alignment’s executive director expressed our appreciation to the Seigle Foundation: “Alignment could not have a better partner than the Seigle Foundation. Their human and financial investments are critical to the success of these students, their families, and the future strength of our region’s workforce.”