Summer internships and academic opportunities are available in Spartanburg to help students develop new skills and fortify old ones. Spartanburg High School (SHS) students can take part in work based learning, dual enrollment, leadership programs, specialized camps and traditional summer jobs, all designed to help them prepare for college, careers and life after graduation.
Michael Scharff, personal finance teacher at SHS, is confident in the importance of internships for students who are looking and applying for jobs.
“Internships are critical for students without extensive work experience. For both high school and college students, they serve as key differentiators among candidates, providing credible, real-world validation of skills,” Scharff said. “A strong reference from an internship supervisor signals to potential employers that a candidate can succeed in a professional environment and can ultimately be the difference between landing an interview or being overlooked.”
SHS football head coach Mark Hodge implemented the REFINED program in 2020. It is a player-development program designed to support student-athletes academically, athletically and personally. The acronym stands for Redeemed, Empowered, Finish, Integrity, uNflinchable, Embolden and Deliberate. The program includes weekly grade checks, tutoring, interview preparation, internship guidance and lessons addressing mental, physical, financial and psychological development. Since it began, REFINED has helped more than 45 players secure college scholarships and has become a model within SHS’s athletic culture for developing young men of character and consequence.
Hodge said the program’s internship component helps students understand which path fits them best.
“It has been very powerful because we have had some kids who have gotten jobs through their internship. We have had children who go home and say, ‘That is definitely what I want to do.’ And just as powerful we have kids come back and say, ‘That is not what I want to do,’” Hodge said.
For students wanting a jump start on college while they are still attending high school, there is the Viking Early College (VEC). VEC is a four‑year dual‑enrollment program where SHS students work toward earning both a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree from Spartanburg Community College (SCC). Students take SHS and SCC classes during their freshman and sophomore years before transitioning to full‑time SCC courses as upperclassmen. The program teaches six core values known as the “Six Wells”: Well‑Read, Well‑Spoken, Well‑Traveled, Well‑Dressed, Well‑Balanced and Well‑Connected. VEC pushes students to become the best version of themselves and helps launch their future careers. There are also ample opportunities for job exploration.
Jace Madison (10), a student in Viking Early College, said the program has already shaped his academic and career goals.
“I joined Viking Early College because I viewed it as an amazing opportunity. When I graduate high school, I will have my Associate of Arts degree. This program shapes students to be better prepared for college and real life,” Madison said.
Businesses and nonprofits in Spartanburg also offer opportunities to students. Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System offers an eight‑week Work‑Based Learning internship for juniors and seniors. Spartanburg County Government provides an eight‑week internship across more than 14 departments. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport provides an eight‑week internship for rising seniors and recent graduates, which offers experience in aviation operations. The Spartanburg Academic Movement lists a summer internship focused on nonprofit leadership and youth services.
Students can also participate in academic programs throughout the summer, including credit recovery, virtual learning through the Spartanburg County Public Virtual Program and Summer Bridge scholarships that support SAT and ACT preparation. For students interested in more specialized fields, STEM and cyber camps are available at SCC, fine arts camps take place at Spartanburg Youth Theatre and District 7 and the City of Spartanburg has created the High School to Health Care Camp, a week-long medical experience featuring hands-on simulations.
Career specialist Addie Jones helps students apply for these programs and connect them with work-based learning opportunities. For students seeking traditional summer jobs, several businesses including Marshalls, Publix, Chipotle, Ingles, Sam’s Club and others, are currently hiring. Application information is available through Jones.
From paid internships to academic programs and jobs, Spartanburg offers a wide range of opportunities for students to explore their interests and pre pare for the future this summer. Through programs like REFINED, Viking Early College or community partnerships, students have access to experiences that help them grow and take steps toward their goals.
