At HHCA, students learn within the four walls of a classroom and gain hands-on experience outside the classroom in various settings. Thanks to the school's thriving internship program, high school juniors and seniors can enter the real world, applying their knowledge and skills professionally while building meaningful connections with local businesses

The program, designed to bridge the gap between education and the workforce, allows students to explore potential career paths in healthcare, finance, technology, education, and more. Whether shadowing doctors, assisting in marketing campaigns, or learning the ins and outs of owning a business, students walk away with invaluable experience that helps shape their futures.

Our internship program provides a great opportunity to inform students on real-world applications of their interests, as well as the daily expectations of employers at a time when students are making important decisions about the future. We value the numerous community partners with whom we have built relationships and look forward to expanding this capstone experience for students in the future.

- Parker Collins, HHCA Director of Community Partnerships

Beyond its benefits for students, the internship program also strengthens ties between HHCA and the local business community. Business owners invest in the future workforce by mentoring students while gaining fresh perspectives and enthusiastic young talent. Many of our community partners have expressed their appreciation for the program and have shared their experiences with us:

• "Having an intern work with us this semester has brightened the experience within the office, opened our eyes to new perspectives and modes of communication, and laid the groundwork for future connections and possible employment.  The hope was to inform future professional opportunities, but we gained valuable insights on how to attract and teach a younger audience about our work while opening new avenues within our business."

• "This was our first experience hosting an intern, and we hope to do it again.  The enthusiasm brought each day to witness procedures and the questions posed about reasons for care stirred the passions within our staff and reminded us of the importance of our work."

• "The interns produced valuable work, and as trust and experience grew, they completed a substantial amount of work with limited oversight.  The interns' vision made for fresh ideas, and their technological capacities expanded and informed what we can do."

Through this internship program, HHCA equips students with the tools they need to succeed while fostering a strong, engaged community where education and business thrive together.

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HHCA Student Internship Spotlights

• Kate DuBose | Court Atkins Group

HHCA senior Kate DuBose is currently interning with local architecture firm Court Atkins Group. "Architecture has always fascinated me," Kate shared. I've been interested in creative subjects for a long time but wanted to pursue a career that included STEM, as well. Combining creativity and math made architecture the perfect avenue for me."

Her time at Court Atkins has been highly beneficial, allowing her to create her architecture portfolio, contribute to current projects, tour builds, and help develop models. "Being involved in an active workplace has solidified my interest in pursuing architecture. I've learned that architecture involves much more than planning—it takes teamwork, thoughtful problem-solving, and solid communication skills."

Kate also highlighted how the internship program at HHCA has informed her understanding of architecture firms' operations. "Each day, I look forward to going into the office and learning new things about the industry. The longer my internship has gone on, the more I've pictured myself in this field."

One of the most memorable aspects of her experience has been touring construction sites, including HHCA's brand-new Upper School building. "I have learned so much from seeing a building constructed from the ground up - and it has been even more exciting to experience the entire process through building our new Upper School building. "Kate said.

 

• Nic Panzarella | Hilton Head Solar and Roofing

HHCA Senior Nic Panzarella is interning with Hilton Head Solar and Roofing, which develops, constructs, and maintains roofing and renewable energy systems. While Nic's long-term goal is not focused on solar power, his passion for engineering and clean energy sources drove his interest in learning from the experts at Hilton Head Solar & Roofing. 

Throughout his internship, Nic has gained valuable insights into the engineering field, and clarity on how the engineering workplace functions. "My internship has improved my professional communication skills and shown me the value of teamwork and collaboration in engineering projects. I have a better understanding of how teams work together to solve problems as I have observed my role and the roles of those around me," he explained.

"The most important lesson I have learned from this internship is that there is a significant amount of on-the-job training in engineering fields like this. In other words, I won't always need to know everything before taking a job in the future."  This realization has given him confidence as he continues towards his goal of pursuing an engineering career.

For Nic, one of the best parts of his internship has been the welcoming and supportive environment of the company. "The people at this company are incredibly friendly. I felt welcome on the first day of my internship," he said.

 

• William Adams | innAVation Sound 

With a passion for music and theater, HHCA junior William Adams was thrilled to secure an internship with innAVation, a renowned local company in sound engineering and production. Business owner James Brown has made a significant mark in the entertainment industry, showcasing an impressive portfolio that includes recording studio work, live productions, and collaborations with various film production companies. 

The internship, which concluded in January, helped prepare William for future work in the field. "Working with James in sound engineering was a fantastic experience," William shared. "I'm still not sure what I'd like to do after college, but after working on several different projects with James, I think I would like to pursue this type of work during my remaining high school years and throughout college. It is something I enjoy." 

A standout moment during his internship was taking on a leadership role for HHCA's fall 2024 production of Big Fish The Musical. "Because of my internship experience, I was equipped to run the sound for Big Fish by myself. James taught me what I needed to know and guided me on handling potential challenges. It was a great experience." he reflected. 

 

• Caroline Thomas | Lowcountry Therapy

During her recent internship with Lowcountry Therapy, Caroline Thomas gained invaluable hands-on experience in occupational therapy - a career interest sparked in her AP Psychology class. The internship also gave her a deeper understanding of the profession and a clearer vision for her future career. 

"Working closely with children in therapy sessions allowed me to observe their development and growth firsthand," Caroline shared. "The mind-body connection has always fascinated me, and this practical experience in the field reaffirmed my desire to pursue a degree and career in occupational therapy." 

One of the most rewarding aspects of her internship was seeing the real-world application of occupational therapy and the meaningful impact a therapist's work has on a patient's life. 

In addition to hands-on learning, Caroline appreciated the professional exposure and networking opportunities offered by the internship. "I am grateful for the connections I've made and look forward to using this experience as I continue pursuing a future in occupational therapy."

Through opportunities like these, HHCA's internship program continues to shape future leaders, providing students with real-world experiences that prepare them for success in their chosen fields.

As the program expands, HHCA will continue looking to build new partnerships with businesses willing to provide internships for students eager to learn. Interested business owners may contact Parker Collins, HHCA's Director of Community Partnerships, to explore how they can be part of this exciting initiative.

 

Pictured: Nic Panzarella | Hilton Head Solar and Roofing

 

 

Pictured: William Adams | innAVation