The Keswick School

Summer Social Emotional Intern

May 2023 • Keswick, VA

What I liked

The staff is very supportive and it is great experience for anyone wanting to work in special education or as a social worker or therapist. They provide a lot of valuable training that helped a lot with the role. I was able to turn the unpaid internship into a paid part-time job which was great.

What I wish was different

I wish the internship was paid. For the amount of training and difficult work you do it should be paid. It being an all boys school also does not make it easy to work there as a young women sometimes and the dress code is a bit strict. I had to buy a bunch of clothes that did not show my collarbone which was not ideal as an unpaid intern.

Advice

Listen during training and don't be afraid to play games and be there in it with the kids. They are great!

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Summer Relief Counselor

May - August 2023 • Keswick, VA

What I liked

Working at Keswick was a great learning experience! As a psychology major, it was interesting to apply everything I was learning to a work context. My position at Keswick involved working with the kids during the day in the academic building. It was lovely getting to know the kids! While it took a lot of patience to build a relationship with them, it was really rewarding when it finally occurred and you could see the kids starting to trust you and come to you for help.

What I wish was different

Advice

Don't be afraid to ask questions! Everyone will make mistakes, but it's important to be confident and ask for help if you need it. The staff at Keswick are extremely supportive!

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Summer Intern

June - August 2020 • Keswick, VA

What I liked

I loved working with the kids. While it took a bit of time for them to warm up to me, once they did I was able to create relationships with them that were really worthwhile. It was fun to bond with them, help them through their struggles, and get to know them as people.

What I wish was different

It would have been nice to get paid for the work that I was doing because it was very demanding, especially emotionally. I don't think it was the fault of LKS though; I think there's some Department of Education rule that requires someone to be 21 to get paid. Being unpaid did not make or break the experience, and I would return to LKS before I'm 21, but it would have been nice.

Advice

It may seem daunting at first but the staff is incredibly supportive and the kids are awesome.

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Academic Intern

June - July 2021 • Charlottesville, VA

What I liked

I liked the work culture and how welcoming staff was to new interns/staff. As a psychology major, it was interesting to apply the things I've learned in my classes to be able to be gain hands on experience with the boys and support their needs. The training was extensive, but it was very useful at the internship and in future studies.

What I wish was different

Advice

It's okay to ask questions! Be open during this experience, it helps you build relationships and become more comfortable with being uncomfortable. Also, you will make mistakes and that's okay. It will help you in the long-run and there will be people to support you along the way.

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Academic Intern

May - August 2021 • Keswick, VA

What I liked

As a psychology major, working at the Keswick School helped me to gain hands-on experience in the mental health field. This job provided extensive training which prepared me to care for the boys in a professional and yet empathetic manner. As a part of training, I became Mandt certified and learned about their unique social-emotional curriculum which served as a great introduction to the vast set of techniques that are used in psychological practices. Additionally, the school has various types of therapists including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, art therapists and more. These intelligent people have become resources for me as I explore career opportunities. Overall, this role challenged me to become more flexible and comfortable with the uncomfortable (when warranted). All staff are very welcoming and happy to help new interns/staff adjust.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be confident. Understand that you will make mistakes but taking accountability will allow you to form relationships with the boys on campus.

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Intern

January - August 2019 • Keswick, VA

What I liked

The hands on experience

What I wish was different

The salary

Advice

Be open and communicate

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Intern

May - August 2019 • Charlottesville, VA

What I liked

My internship was extremely hands on. I got to work with the boys every single day and was presented with challenges that I could use my skills and knowledge to deal with. I was fortune to be granted so much responsibility and trust in my position. It helped me form relationships with my students and grow as a future educator.