Rock Internship Program

[NOTE: For a recap of the 2025 program, click here. Details regarding the 2026 program are provided below.]

The purpose of the summer Rock Internship Program is to accelerate personal, as well as professional, skills development and career-related exposure for rising High School Seniors. This structured, earn-and-learn (paid internship @ $13 per hour) model will provide students with a meaningful, career pathway experience that will serve as a foundational element of their Academic & Career Plan (ACP); thereby, positioning students for future academic and workplace success. As such, students will gain: valuable interviewing, job searching and resume building experience; direct, career exposure at a worksite; opportunities to develop or improve communication, critical thinking, leadership and teamwork skills; and important networking connections. These internship placements are competitive, and determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to: match-making / compatibility with student ACP's and the types of available internships.

APPLLY TO THE 2026 ROCK iNTERNSHIP PROGRAM 

The summer 2026 Rock Internship Program will last for a total of six weeks, beginning on June 15th with a Signing and Orientation Day. Interns are required to work at least 20 hours per week; and maximum hours per week will be capped at 30 hours. The last day of the program will be July 24th. A sampling of the types of internships, as well as the participating businesses, is provided below. Please note, the program's dates and participants are subject to change.

Download the Rock Internship Student Flyer

Download the Rock Internship Student Manual (English)

Download the Rock Internship Student Manual (Spanish)

The Rock Internship Program is a collaborative talent development offering supported by participating employers, Blackhawk Technical College, the County of Rock, Rock County 5.0 and the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board.

Download the Rock Internship Employer Flyer

Download the Rock Intersnhip Employer Manual

Participating Employers

 

Student Participation & Eligibility Requirements

  • Students must be at least 16 years and a resident of Rock County, WI, by the Signing and Orientation Day; and be eligible to work in the U.S. and Rock County, WI.
  • Students must be entering their senior year of High School, as identified and/or recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction or an accredited education organization.
  • Students must have parental and/or legal guardian consent and be able to document said consent, by the Signing and Orientation Day.
  • Students must have reliable transportation, ensuring full access and participation as it relates to every program obligation outlined with the Rock Internship Student Manual and the Internship Program Participation Agreement [NOTE: Additional TBD requirements may be required by the worksite.].
  • Students must commit to work at least 20 hours per week during their internship.
  • Students must either have an active ACP; be making progress toward fulfilling and/or meeting district-specific ACP requirements; and/or have documentation of a current personal statement of career and educational goals that align with the Rock Internship program.
  • Students must apply online and submit a completed application (e.g. including one Letter of Reference from an existing district staff or faculty member and an electronic version of either an ACP or a personal statement of career and educational goals) between February 2, 2026 and March 6, 2026.

Internships Available

  • Architecture & Construction
  • Education, Health & Social Services
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Health
  • Healthcare
  • Information Technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Marketing

Employer Participation & Eligibility Requirements

  • Employers must allow individuals under the age of 18 years old into their place of business, as it concerns job shadowing and employment activities. Well supervised interns will not present a problem, provided they are not assigned to “hazardous” duties, as defined by OSHA standards. Additionally, employers must agree to consult with their insurance agents (in advance) to ensure they fully acknowledge and understand how workers compensation coverage and related liability issues will be addressed within the context of the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Board (SWWDB) serving as the Employer of Record for this program. For more info, see visit these links: WI Guide to Implementing Career-Based Learning Experiences and Guide to WI's Employment of Minors Law.
  • Employers must agree to cover at least 50% of their financial, as well as technical, support for this program - up to $1,750.00 per intern. The remaining 50% of the program's cost will be covered by grant funding procured from the County of Rock. Employers must provide a down payment of $875 per intern by, on or before the program's Signing & Orientation Day.
  • Employers must be in good standing; and in compliance with all applicable local, state and/or federal workplace rules and regulations.
  • Employers must have an established and documented safety plan.
  • Employers must possess a corporate culture that values professional growth and development.
  • Employers must have the organizational capacity to serve as an intern worksite, as demonstrated by past / current earn-and-learn participation and/or other related experiential learning activities (e.g. internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, mentoring, etc.).
  • Employers must offer a comprehensive, holistic internship experience that extends beyond a specific subject or core competency. For examples, an intern working for a metal fabrication business should be exposed to more than the company’s welding and fabrication operations.
  • Employers must assign a primary contact as the intern worksite supervisor and also provide a secondary or back-up intern contact. The worksite supervisor must participate in the intern interview process; as well as attend the Signing and Orientation Day, and the Graduation Day, events.
  • Employers must agree to work collaboratively and communicate frequently with the Internship Coordinator throughout the Rock Internship Program. This engagement includes, but is not limited to: intern selection and onboarding activities; onsite visits; weekly phone/email communications and related follow-ups; reviewing and signing time sheets, etc.
  • Employers must agree to, if requested, permit the Internship Coordinator to perform a criminal background check to authentic the character of the intern worksite supervisor.
  • Employers must agree to strictly adhere, as well as enforce, the program’s guidelines (download a copy of the Rock Internship Employer Manual).

 

2026 Internship Calendar & Work Schedule

[NOTE: Dates are subject to change]

  • February 2 - March 6, 2026: Student application open and close dates.
  • March 2026: Onsite (school) district intern interviews; employer and intern interviews. Specific dates and times TBA.
  • March/April 2026: Internship placement confirmations.
  • June 15, 2026: Intern Signing and Orientation Day. This is a paid, work-day event that includes various on-boarding and pre-employment activities. In addition, interns will participate in a Power Skills and a Rock Internship Capstone preparation session, too. Location and schedule TBA.
  • June 15 - June 19, 2026: Week 1 of 6; interns report to their worksites. 
  • June 22 – June 26, 2026: Week 2 of 6; interns report to their worksites. 
  • June 29 – July 3, 2026: Week 3 of 6; Interns and their worksites are encouraged to determine, in advance, if a partial or full work-week (in terms of hours worked) will be required due to the Holiday.
  • July 6 - July 10, 2026: Week 4 of 6; interns report to their worksites. Interns are required to submit their draft Capstone presentations.
  • July 13 - July 17, 2026: Week 5 of 6; interns report to their worksites. Interns are required to submit their final Capstone presentations.
  • July 20 - July 24, 2026: Week 6 of 6; interns report to their worksites.
  • July 24, 2026: Graduation Day event and Capstone presentations. Specific time and location TBA.

For additional information, email Molly Markley at [email protected] .

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