Students vary widely in their work experience and many have not worked for someone outside of their family. Many have never participated in a formal interview situation. Because of the short term nature of the internship, students are willing to try a work experience that they would otherwise reject. Former interns have expressed appreciation for the work experience and the opportunity to contribute. Encouragement and feedback from a mentor is invaluable. Students are paid minimum wage for the successful completion of hours of work. Interns are paid through the AV Unified School District. AVEF reimburses the district.

The first step is to write a job description which will be advertised at the high school library and on the AVEF website. An AVEF internship committee member organizes the descriptions, schedules interviews and is present at all interviews. Your job description should be submitted to AVEF, PO Box 242, Boonville, CA 95415 on or before the date in the "Important dates" section of the AVEF web site. The date that interviews are scheduled to begin will also be listed in the "Important dates" section. Please contact Gail Gester at 895-2344 or ggester@jps.net or PO Box 242, Boonville 95415 if you find that your question is not addressed in this review of FAQ or elsewhere on the AVEF web site.

Your description will ideally provide the prospective student with a general idea of what the work will involve. Please try to be specific about times of work and days of the week you require. If you are truly willing to be flexible about days and times that is OK. Please mention any skills you require or if you require a resume.

Any high school student in grades 9-12 who lives in Anderson Valley may apply. This includes students at Anderson Valley High Schools, independent study students, and students at high schools outside of the valley including boarding schools. Students must have valid Social Security numbers in order to be paid.

No. There may be positions that no one applies for. The Education Foundation members and the school staff make an effort to insure that only students who meet your qualifications are scheduled for an interview. Also, if during the interviews you are unable to find a suitable student for the position, you are not obligated to participate.

Mentors make the hiring decision. You may want to develop a set of questions to ask your applicant(s) during the interview. An AVEF board member will also be present to ask questions and review with the student their obligation to the internship experience. Most interviews take place at the High School after school hours. We make every effort to make the times of the interviews convenient for you and possible for the students who have academic and sports schedules to consider. Occasionally interviews must be scheduled at an alternate location or time.

An internship involves more than a specific task. As a mentor it is important to help the student appreciate the bigger picture of your business or project. You have an obligation to be a mentor and to help young people understand what an employer expects in a workplace. You can inspire a student, instill confidence in their abilities to work, and help them consider career options.

Students are covered by Workman's Compensation and Liability Insurance through the school. This is not medical insurance. Medical insurance is a responsibility of the student. Parents or guardians of hired interns under 18 must sign a note acknowledging their student's participation in our program.

Many mentors have been very pleased with their intern and were able to hire the student after successful completion of the 80 hours. You are not obligated to hire the intern.

A member of the AVEF internship committee will visit you and the intern at your place of work. You are welcome to contact us at any time throughout the internship with questions or difficulties. You and the AVEF board member will communicate with the intern in an effort to remedy any problem.

If, after a good faith effort, the problem is not resolved you are not required to continue.

You are not obligated to participate every year. Many of our past mentors used the internship as way to complete a special project. Mentors have expressed an appreciation for the value of this community building experience and enjoyed getting to know a young person. AVEF makes every effort to provide a variety of volunteer experiences within the limits of our valley. Without mentor commitment this opportunity for young adults in our rural community would not exist.