FAQs About Discovery
Why should I do a Discovery?
- to gain experience in how to find your place in the world
- to consider your own interests and the range of opportunities available outside of school
- to take responsibility for the demands of looking for and holding a job
- to enjoy a real-life experience that could change the way you think about your future
- to do something completely different for a week
- to add an interesting and worthwhile work experience to your resumé
How does it work? How do I get started?
- First, talk with the about your specific areas of interest, or let the Coordinator know if you’ve already found a place you want to work. Your Advisor or another teacher might have some good ideas, too! The Discovery Coordinator can also help you identify potential hosts.
- Contact host organizations and arrange to meet with possible mentors. Give the potential mentor information about the Discovery program, and discuss what the apprenticeship or project would entail.
- When you find a good match, you and your mentor complete the Discovery Project Proposal together—it’s short and simple! You, your mentor, your Advisor, and your parents sign this Proposal, and you hand it in to the Discovery Coordinator.
- The Discovery Coordinator reviews and approves your proposal. If it isn’t approved, you re-adjust it, or wait to do a Discovery at a later time. You must complete the Project Proposal at least three weeks prior to the start of your Discovery—and preferably long before that. If you don’t get prior approval, it is not guaranteed that the work you do will fulfill the role of a Discovery.
- Your Discovery should be completed during a single week, preferably in five consecutive days. In rare cases, exceptions can be arranged in advance.
- At the end of your Discovery:
—You complete a brief Student Evaluation of the experience.
—Your host completes a brief Host Evaluation of the experience.
— You write a Reflection Paper—approximately five pages—describing your experience.
— Evaluations and short Discovery paper are due to the Discovery Coordinator within two weeks after completion of your project.
What should I look for while I’m planning my Discovery week?
- When creating a Discovery project, look for the following:
- An opportunity to play an active role in the organization—not just to watch someone else work
- An engaged mentor who will be available to meet with you daily—or at least frequently during the week
- A situation where you will not simply be “shadowing” the same person every day—look for variety
- An opportunity to learn the things you are excited to learn
Keep these other guidelines in mind:
- A Discovery apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to be “on your own” in the working world—so we ask that you not be hosted by a close family member.
- Two students may not work at the same apprenticeship site at the same time, except by special permission.
- You must not be paid for your work—that’s called “a job.” Discovery is a volunteer experience.
- If you work for a nonprofit agency, you may apply parts of your Discovery project to your Service-Learning requirement. Talk with the Discovery Coordinator/Service Learning Coordinator to arrange this.
When can I do a Discovery?
- The best time for a Discovery is during Winterim; you must sign up for this in the Fall when Winterim programs are announced, and complete the Project Proposal and all required paperwork on schedule. If you can’t organize an acceptable Discovery, you must sign up for a regular Winterim course, and try again for a Discovery next year.
- You may also choose to do a Discovery during summer or another vacation. These experiences must be arranged ahead of time, and paperwork must be filed with the Discovery Coordinator at least three weeks before the vacation begins.
- You are not encouraged or advised to miss school to do your Discovery—however, occasionally there is an unbeatable opportunity that is only available during regular school hours. Such cases have to be cleared with the Discovery Coordinator, your Advisor and Grade Dean, and all teachers and coaches affected.
Will I love every minute of my Discovery week?
- Maybe not! Most students do have enjoyable, challenging, and fascinating weeks in the workplace. But work can sometimes be hard, slow, boring, or otherwise not-quite-right. You might find out that you don’t want to be a circus performer, ever again. You might have to shift your priorities or re-think your dream career.
- And that’s what Discovery is all about—a new experience, new insights. Whatever else happens, you will learn and grow from the experience. What’s with all these forms and deadlines?
- Deadlines and paperwork are a part of most real-life jobs, and learning to deal with them is an important part of the Discovery process.
