By MaryMargaret Portera
MSSM Intern
At the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone, students are currently in the middle of their J-term. J-term is a single term within the month of January, and gives students an opportunity to learn in ways they might not be able to during other semesters. For J-term, students choose between a variety of options of classes at the school, or they can choose to intern.
Contributed Photo
Emma Liberty-Langlais, right, stands with her sponsor for her J-term internship, Dr. Leigh Baker, doctor of osteopathy.
Among the interns from MSSM this year, two are local, four are out of state, and four are out of the country. Different students all cover a variety of fields as well. There are many interning with medical practices, one in journalism, and one in architecture.
Internships during J-term are varied this year. Many students are working with scientists in labs or hospitals, while others work in such places as formal clothing stores. Students are hoping that these internships will not only look great on college applications, but on job applications as well. Most get an internship in a career they are interested in, which will be particularly helpful with applications in the fields they will later work in. This gives students an opportunity to get familiar with a working environment, as well as the opportunity to learn a trade.
“It just kind of opens your eyes to what the real world’s going to be like,” said junior at MSSM, Emma Liberty-Langlais. “It’s good to get out there as early as possible. It’s fun and interesting and will help me figure out where I want to go before I actually start college,” said Liberty-Langlais.
Along with internships, students also had the opportunity to take unique classes at the school. The classes offered this year were organic chemistry, the Game of Life (a class that helps students to learn how to handle challenges that will occur in life, such as financial and meal planning, etc.), Geometric Adventures, Learning to Quilt, Contemporary Issues and Debate, and “Harry Potter” and the Ivory Tower: Cultural Studies and the Boy Who Lived.
Seth Lockman, another student at MSSM, thinks that there are benefits to both aspects of J-term. He liked interning last year at a planetarium because he had more say over exactly what he was going to do. He thought there were positives of staying at the school as well. “You get to focus more on what you’re trying to do when you don’t have to focus on how you’re getting to work or having to prepare your own lunch. The convenience is definitely a bonus,” Lockman said.
“I’ve been talking to medical students at UME, and they said that they never got internships until late college. They said they wished they’d had the experience that we do,” said Liberty-Langlais.
Another great opportunity that students get during J-term is to be able to go abroad. This year, students had the option of going on one of two abroad trips offered. One group went to the Bahamas, and the other to Italy. These trips allow students to be exposed to some amazing culture, as well as do some research on topics such as tropical ecology.
