Internships, Co-Ops, and Apprenticeships
Authentic Work Experiences at MHS
Milton Hershey School is proud of its robust internship, co-op, and pre-apprenticeship programs, called Authentic Work Experiences (AWE). Through these programs, students learn in real workplaces from professionals in their field of interest.
AWEs by the Numbers
In the 2024-25 school year:
- 245 students gained authentic work experience through internships, co-ops, or pre-apprenticeships
- 169 seniors in the Class of 2025 completed an internship
- 15 seniors completed a co-op
- 19 students completed a pre-apprenticeship
Reflections on Authentic Work Experiences
Milton Hershey School students have the ability to participate in real-life, hands-on internship experiences. They can intern at local companies as well as the Hershey Entity Partners. These internships match each student’s chosen career program area in the school’s award-winning Career and Technical Education program. Through AWE, students learn employability skills, like teamwork, time management, and organization—all qualities that employers value.
Internships On Campus
Students also gain valuable experience through a range of on-campus internships, including roles at the student-run Spartan Ice Cream Center, Project Market within the Agricultural and Environmental Education program, and other opportunities across departments. These internships teach students important lessons such as customer service skills, how math applies to the real world, the importance of punctuality, and the nutritional benefits of healthy fruits and vegetables.
Student Co-Ops
Cooperative (co-op) education students are placed in a job of their chosen career field. Here, they gain practical skills and hands-on experience in the workplace, building on the skills they learned in the classroom and receiving industry-recognized certifications in the process. This student work program allows students to receive part-time employment during the summer, after school, or on weekends.
Pre-Apprenticeships
The pre-apprenticeship arm of the MHS Apprenticeship program is the first of its kind in the state, approved by the PA Department of Labor & Industry. The program lets high school students work in their desired trade or industry prior to graduation. They earn a pre-apprenticeship certification.
Students receive one-on-one support in identifying and applying for pre-apprenticeships best fit for them. Then, they engage in paid, authentic, external work in the field. These hours are combined with the time spent completing in-school CTE coursework. Together, they count toward the completion of a full apprenticeship post-graduation if the student chooses to continue this path.
Postsecondary Apprenticeships
The postsecondary apprenticeship arm of the MHS Apprenticeship program is for young graduates. It provides those highly interested in a trade the ability to work and learn in their desired field. They are also able to continue their education should they choose.
Alumni can apply Continuing Education Scholarship (CES) funding towards this path. CES assists with costs related to entering a formal apprenticeship, including housing, tools, food, transportation, and apprenticeship supplies. It can also cover the cost of related technical instruction if the tuition is not paid by the employer. This initial support provides a solid foundation for recent graduates. It lets them focus on earning an income while working toward certification in a highly-skilled career path.
Learn More About CES
* U.S. Department of Labor. “Apprenticeship Toolkit: Frequently Asked Questions.”
1Apprenticeship USA. “Research and Statistics.” Department of Labor.
2Parton, Brent. “Youth Apprenticeship in America Today: Connecting High School Students to Apprenticeship.” New America. December 14, 2017.