Grand Rapids University Prep Academy is grateful to the many individuals who agreed to host and mentor one of our students this year for either a half-day Job Shadow experience for 8th graders or a 6-week internship for 9th and 10th graders.
INTERNSHIPS:
This spring is our third year of our internship program. Over forty-seven sites participating in providing our students with an experience of a lifetime!
Last year, we had students testing video game programs for effectiveness and bugs, learning about production and film direction, assisting in fashion merchandising, helping coordinate a major sporting event, developing recreational programs for the elderly, and actually discovering new stars in the universe!
Last year, students were harvesting and dissecting cells, developing lesson plans for young children, preparing food under the direction of head chefs, promoting professional and amateur sports, marketing events, merchandising product, running a small business and discovering the inner-workings of a global corporation.
And, these are just a small sampling of the experiences that occur every year thanks to our wonderful mentors!
Additionally, and almost more importantly, our students continue to learn what it is like to work in a professional environment – how people interact, engage, and collaborate. They learn how to shake hands, be proactive and self-advocate. And, they learn how to just keep moving forward even when they are scared about fitting in.
We are incredibly grateful to the following businesses and organizations who are partnering with us this year (and for many it is their third year in a row!) or who have committed the time and the resources to do so in the past.
Achieve Physical TherapyAmway Grand Plaza HotelApplause Catering
ArtPrize
Avanti Law Group Bottega Salon
Brown Hutcherson MinistriesCalvin College, Astronomy DepartmentCelebration! CinemaCircle TheatreCommunity Automotive RepairCompass College of Cinematic ArtsComprenewThomas M. Cooley Law SchoolCornerstone Architects Diocese of Grand Rapids, Immigration Legal ServicesDrew, Cooper & AndingEl Barrio RestaurantExcel Academies of CosmetologyFerris State University Feyen ZylstraFifth Third River Bank RunGirls Choral AcademyGod’s Kitchen GPC ComputersGrand Rapids Art MuseumGrand Rapids Ballet CompanyGR City Parks + Recreation Department–3 R’s
GR Child Discovery Center Grand Rapids Children’s MuseumGrand Rapids Community College, Academic Counseling Program
Grand Rapids Community College, IT Program
Grand Rapids Community College, Vocal Program
Grand Rapids GriffinsGrand Rapids Police Department
Grand Rapids Public Library
Grand Rapids Public Museum Grand Rapids Sport & Social ClubGrand Rapids SymphonyGrand Valley State University-Institutional MarketingGrand Valley State University-AdmissionsGrand Valley State University, News & Information Services
Grandlan Gaming CenterHelen DeVos Childrens HospitalHIS - Health Intervention ServicesThe Highlands Golf Club Holland Home - Fulton ManorHoly Spirit Catholic School Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF)Interactive Studio Java GymJohn Ball ZooKent County Health DepartmentKentwood Cat ClinicKim’s K-9
Louis Benton Restaurant Maximize Technologies Michigan BloodMSU- College of Human Medicine Miller JohnsonNorthfield LanesOnce Upon A Child One Girl’s TreasureOrthopaedic Associates of MichiganOwen-Ames-KimballParkwood Pharmacy
Premier SkateboardProgressive AE PT360Rhoades McKeeRomance Gardens + GreenhousesRonald McDonald House Rosas ClosetSamaria J’s Salon
Senior NeighborsSnapdragon BoutiqueSpectrum HealthSpoonlickersStar CollisionSteelcase Inc.Tanaz Hair Boutique and Day Spa
TC Paintball United Methodist Community HouseUnited States Army
United States Attorney's Office
The University Club
Varnum V.I.Pets
Warner Norcross + Judd
West Michigan Sports Commission
Whiskers Pet Resort + Spa WYCEYeti
YMCA- David D. Hunting
JOB SHADOW:
This was our fourth year to offer Job Shadow opportunities for our 8th grade students who "shadowed" professionals in the community to learn about a day in the life of their jobs. We are grateful to the following businesses and organizations who have hosted our students this year and/or in the past -- many of whom actually had multiple students:
61st District CourtAda Hospital for AnimalsAmwayApplause Catering
Brian Kelly Photography
The Bridge Citadel BroadcastingCity of Grand RapidsCooley Law School–Teen Court Program
Community Automotive Repair Inc.
Circle Theatre Cornerstone ArchitectsDickinson WrightDr. Amy DeYoung, DDS
DP Fox Ventures Collision Center Edward JonesFifth Third Bank
Fox Shawmut Hills Frederik Meijer Gardens + Sculpture Park GE AviationGina’s Boutique Grand Rapids Ballet
Grand Rapids Gymnastics
Grand Rapids Police Department
Grand Rapids Press
Grand Rapids Public Library Grand Rapids Public Schools - Zoo SchoolGRPS – Nutritional Food Services Hanon McKendryHope College-Women’s Basketball House of Style
Humane Society of West Michigan Jeff Dykehouse PhotographyJohn Ball Zoo JW MarriottKendall College of Art and DesignKent County Animal ShelterKent County Office of Administrator Muse Boutique
Pine Hills Kennel and Sportsman ClubProgressive AE Reflections SalonSaint Mary’s Health Care Siegel Jewelers Steelcase Inc.Dr. Joseph Talcott Offices Unique Models and TalentVan Andel Institute
Warner Norcross + JuddWGVU - Morning ShowWest Michigan Sports CommissionWSNX Dr. James Zarafonetis, DDSREVERSE JOB SHADOWS:
This was the second year that the school hosted a Reverse Job Shadow. We worked in partnership with
Junior Achievement of Michigan Great Lakes who secured all of the speakers. Three times over the course of the year, six speakers would come to the school to share information about their career and offer a hands-on activity. Students selected two of the six speakers to hear each time.
We had speakers representing the video gaming industry, technology, event planning, law, nonprofit programs, social work, real estate and counselors to name just a few. We are incredibly thankful to Junior Achievement for helping us offer our youngest students this introduction into the many careers that are connected to their interests.
CAREER FAIRS:
Additionally, in partnership with
Grand Valley State University Career Services, our 9th and 10th grade students also had an opportunity to participate in two career fairs that were hosted at DeVos Place. Our students were able to meet and connect with various employers from around the region before it was open to the public. The students were able to explore career options from the employer's perspective based on current and upcoming employment needs, as well as develop skills in presenting themselves, sharing information, and asking questions of prospective employers. The students then toured the downtown GVSU campus. We are incredibly grateful to Grand Valley State University for helping us continue to develop unique educational opportunities for our students to better prepare them for the future.
SUMMITS:We are also incredibly grateful to
Amway and
Steelcase Inc. for their support of our Summits that assist in preparing our students for their upcoming Job Shadows or Internships. This year, Amway hosted our 9th graders who learned about how following your passion can lead to achieving your dreams. And for the third year, Steelcase Inc. hosted our 8th grade students for an all-day conference complete with community speakers discussing topics such as how to present yourself in a new environment to how to make yourself invaluable in any situation. We are grateful to both of these amazing companies and all of their staff and the community volunteers who gave so much to make these events unforgettable experiences for our students!
