This summer, NOVA students got a hands-on head start toward a career in IT through an internship with Prince William County Schools (PWCS) that also serves as a professional learning opportunity for PWCS supervisors.
Why it matters: Research shows that internships are linked to higher graduation rates, full-time job offers, and professional certifications. This project aims to expand access to IT internships for students and build a professional learning program for supervisors.
Key details:
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15 students and 13 supervisors completed the 4-week program at the end of July.
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Interns engaged in hands-on work to fix and prepare hardware such as Chromebooks, iPads, and more.
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The refurbished hardware will be used next year for K-12 students throughout PWCS.
The internship is funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, called SuperPL, which makes internships more effective by training and supporting supervisors to provide guidance for NOVA students during their work-based learning.
SuperPL stats:
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Since 2021, 75 students have completed PWCS internships (not including this summer).
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During the same time frame, 26 supervisors have completed training.
SuperPL goals
Established in 2021, SuperPL was launched with three core goals:
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Increase access to high-quality IT internships for NOVA students
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Train supervisors to better support their interns
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Use research and feedback to continuously improve the program
So far, the impact has been impressive. More than 150 NOVA students have completed the Career and Leadership Readiness Institute (CLRI), a free professional development program that helps prepare students for internships through resume writing, mock interviews, and soft skills training.
Seventy-five students have already completed internships with PWCS, and 15 more are currently gaining hands-on experience.These internships typically run for six weeks, with students working about 30 hours per week on-site with an IT employer.
Each intern is paired with a supervisor who provides guidance, answers questions, and supports their professional growth. To ensure supervisors are prepared for this important role, SuperPL offers training focused on communication, feedback, goal-setting, and other key mentoring strategies. So far, 26 supervisors have completed the training, with 13 more currently participating.
In addition to direct support, SuperPL is also a research initiative. The team is studying how internship and strong supervision affect students’ career goals, persistence in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field, and overall academic success. The program also explores how the training impacts supervisors’ confidence and mentoring abilities.
Key partners for SuperPL include Prince William County Public Schools and the University of Virginia.
SuperPL Team Members:
Principal Investigator (PI): Josh Labrie, NOVA SySTEMic Director
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI): Dr. Chris Russell, NOVA IET Project Manager
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI): Jack Bidlack, NOVA Director of Strategic Initiatives
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI): Jennifer Maeng, UVA Associate Professor
Intern Coordinator: Andy Chaves, NOVA Career and Technical Education Coordinator