CareerConnect provides many opportunities for business partnerships that support DPS students from grades K-12 and help companies grow their industry’s talent pipelines while giving back to the community.
CareerConnect provides many opportunities for business partnerships that support DPS students from grades K-12 and help companies grow their industry’s talent pipelines while giving back to the community.
Partnership opportunities exist across all grade levels and are supported by CareerConnect staff, who work closely with your company. You choose how much time and how many resources your company can invest in partnership with our schools.
Click to see overview of options and link for more details.
For companies
For companies
For companies
For companies
For companies
Time Commitment: Students work about 24 hours per week in your company for two to four years; the typical apprenticeship lasts three years. DPS CareerConnect staff provide support for the student and company partner throughout the apprenticeship.
Average Student Age: 17-20 years old
Average Number of Students: Company chooses how many apprentices to host
Financial Commitment: Varies but typically about $3,000 per student per year
We partner with more than 200 companies, colleges and non-profits to provide hands-on learning opportunities to ensure that our students are prepared for an increasingly global 21st century economy.
See what some of our partners say about their experience.
We want to work with you! We respond to our most common questions below but please email us if you have more or just want to talk.
Absolutely! Simply email us and/or fill out the interest survey forms for those opportunities you think might be the best fit. We’re happy to talk with you about the kind of partnership that’s right for your company.
Yes! We completely understand. Typically, the time commitments required of partners grow as our students get older. For example, if you can only give a few hours a year, consider a Virtual Exploration involving a live video chat or a Spark or Xplore event that involves a workplace visit. If you’ve got a few employees who are really excited about working with students, consider Coach Mentoring. And if you’re ready for a bigger commitment — and a potentially bigger reward — consider hosting an intern or apprentice.
We, and especially DPS students, appreciate whatever commitment you are able to make!
Not all DPS schools offer all CareerConnect programs so this may not possible. But we’re happy to talk with you and see what we can do!
To see which schools are close to you, please visit the DPS School Finder and type in your address. To see which schools offer CareerConnect programs, please visit our main page, What is DPS CareerConnect?, and scroll down to the map.
Students who are eligible for Launch Internship program are typically high school juniors and seniors who are enrolled in STEM courses. Students are required to complete and/or submit the following:
Each part of the application is scored using a grading scale. Students with the highest scores are invited to participate in a 12-hour Skills Training for Young Professionals. School-based staff will recommend students for placement with specific businesses based on the skills and experience required and location of the company/organization. Businesses will then interview candidates and make their selection.
Yes. School-based staff who have worked with the student throughout the semester will provide additional support, guidance and coaching to students as needed. DPS staff members will visit the worksite at least two times during the internship and are available for consultation as needed.
We often get questions about child labor laws (state and federal). Here are some rules of thumb:
If you or your colleagues have particular concerns about child labor laws, please email us and we will be happy to discuss them with you.
Interns are covered by DPS worker’s compensation. Apprentices are hired by the company and placed on payroll, therefore they are covered under the company’s worker’s compensation policy. More detailed information on DPS worker’s compensation will be provided to all pertinent staff during training prior to the program kick-off.