INTERNSHIPS

LTI Staff: Jessica Martiny, Carolyn Suttles Matigian, and Randi Millard

Teachers, Parents, and workplace volunteer Mentors work to make the real-world a classroom for our students. Learning Through Internship (LTI) is a major focus of every University Preparatory Academy student’s experience beginning in middle school. Through a formal plan of study, and a business-modeled delivered program, students are learning, practicing, and testing Visionary Leader habits and traits in the workplace, as well as, learning vital career skills in their desired career path to guide their post-secondary educational choice.

Through our LTI program, each high school student participates in an internship with an organization of their interest every school year. The primary purpose of the LTI program is to provide students with the opportunity to build knowledge and skills in the context of authentic work. By making the learning process real, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and are inspired to become life-long learners.

LTI preparation begins at our middle school where students are introduced to career pathways that help align their academic goals for high school to their career goals for college. When students reach the 8th grade, they participate in job shadows using their career path learning. Once students reach our high school, 9th and 10th grade students have the opportunity to participate in a one-day a week internship lasting up to 8 weeks. By the time our students reach 11th and 12th grade, their internship experience is increased to 2 days a week lasting up to 8 weeks. During the LTI, students develop a learning plan with their Advisor and their internship Mentor. The interns focus on obtaining transferable skills, exercising leadership habits and traits, and project development. This gradual introduction to the LTI program allows UPA students to mature into young professionals with a myriad of experiences.

Sampling of LTI sites

  • Global Hue Advertising
  • Small Plates Detroit
  • Belle Isle Nature Center
  • Marygrove Dance Studio
  • State Farm Insurance
  • Detroit Service Learning Academy
  • Henry Ford Hospital
  • Karmanos Cancer Center
  • Detroit Martial Arts Studio
  • Boll Family YMCA
  • Butzell Elementary School
  • Legal Aid Defenders
  • Accounting Aid Society
  • WSU Early Childhood Center
  • The Greening of Detroit
  • DWP Multimedia
  • The Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan
  • Detroit Chassis
  • Rakestraw Animal Hospital
  • 36th District Court
  • St. John's Hospital
  • Michigan Neighborhood Partnership
  • Goodwell's Natural Foods
  • Majestic Cafe
  • Merrill-Palmer Child Development Center

Office Staff/Information

Randi A. Millard, M. Ed, Program Director

Jessica Martiny, M. Ed, Program Coordinator

Carolyn Matigian Suttles, M. Ed, Program Coordinator

Twitter: UPA_LTI

Email: LTIHS@uprep.com

600 Antoinette

Detroit, MI 48202

313-874-4340