Weekly Professional Experience
Selected students step out of the classroom one day each week to work on-site with our partner organizations.
Bridge to Success Internship Program
Four days in class.One day in the field.
Kolbe Cathedral's Bridge to Success Internship Program changes more than just a resume—it changes how students see themselves and the futures that they can claim.
- 130+interns
- 50+partners
- 80%mentor retention
Launched at the start of the ’23-’24 school year, this program serves as a unique bridge between academic learning and professional hands-on experience. For many of our students, the boundaries of their dreams are limited to only what they’ve seen in their own neighborhoods. Through strong partnerships with corporate and organization mentors and a commitment to student development, this internship program has provided meaningful, real-world and eye-opening exposure to students while meeting the operational needs of its partner organizations.
Participants leave Kolbe not only with a diploma, but with the confidence, vision, experiences, and connections that will carry them into college and career. This unique program shows them that they belong in boardrooms, hospitals, law offices, higher education institutions, and a myriad of other professional spaces.
How It Works
How the program works.
The internship integrates directly into the academic school year, providing real-world exposure while balancing your student's education:
A barrier-free program
The program covers the professional training, dedicated program staff, and daily transit behind every placement, so cost never stands between a student and the opportunity.
- Training, transit, and insurance covered by the program
- One internship day each week, built into the school year
- Placements at hospitals, law firms, manufacturers, architecture firms, and universities
Eye-Opening Exposure
Hands-on experience gives students a first glimpse of potential career paths. This immersion helps them see if a chosen path is the right fit, while simultaneously opening their eyes to completely new possibilities.
Mutual Value
While students learn life-lasting lessons, our corporate and organizational partners receive dedicated support that meets their day-to-day operational needs.
Before Day One
Mandatory prep: summer training.
Confidence is built before day one. Students who are selected for the program will be required to attend a multi-day “Workplace Readiness Training” during the summer to ensure they arrive at their internship assignment confident, prepared, and ready to contribute. This training covers:
Professional Communication & Conduct
Mastering workplace etiquette, professional attire, emails, and interpersonal communication.
Teamwork & Collaboration
Learning how to work effectively alongside colleagues, managers, and project leaders.
Workplace Technology
Gaining confidence with essential corporate software, office tools, and data security.
Proven Success
Program highlights & proven success.
Our program has established a powerful track record of empowering students and delivering measurable results across the region:
- 130+
- student interns, including our 4th year
- ~33
- participants each school year
- 50+
- corporate & organization partners
- 80%
- mentor retention rate
- Nearly 100%
- of interns heading to college
Proven Student Success
We have proudly supported over 130 student interns including this, our 4th year, averaging about 33 participants per school year.
Elite Regional Networks
Since our launch, we have partnered with 50+ different corporations and organizations acting as active mentors. These placements span a wide spectrum of industries—including healthcare, law, manufacturing, higher education, hospitality/travel, finance, real estate/construction, and the nonprofit sectors—primarily situated along the Greenwich to New Haven corridor.
A Launchpad for Higher Education
Our internship graduates leave Kolbe Cathedral completely prepared for the next level, with nearly 100% heading off to college—many with major scholarships in hand.
Resounding Corporate Approval
We maintain an incredible 80% corporate/organization mentor retention rate. Partner employers consistently report a deeply positive impact on their workplace culture, and many have even offered paid summer jobs to their interns after the school year concludes.
Where our alumni have gone
- University of Notre Dame
- Boston University
- Tufts University
- UConn
- Fairfield University
- Southern Connecticut State University
- Rutgers
- Embry-Riddle
Industries, Greenwich to New Haven
- Healthcare
- Law
- Manufacturing
- Higher Education
- Hospitality & Travel
- Finance
- Real Estate & Construction
- Nonprofit
Who Can Apply
Eligibility & the selection process.
Because of the high level of professional responsibility required by our community partners, admission into the program is highly selective:
Grade Eligibility
The program is exclusively offered to rising juniors and seniors.
Rigorous Process
Interested students must submit a formal application demonstrating academic focus and strong behavioral standing, followed by a thorough interview process before receiving final approval and corporate placement.
Apply
Apply now & forms.
Ready to claim your future? Both the student application and a signed parental permission form are required to initiate the selection process. Click the links below to access the necessary documentation:
Donors & Sponsors
Want to sponsor a student?
The school invests $9,500 per student each year. See where every dollar goes, hear from our corporate partners, and choose a sponsorship level.
For Employers
Open a door. Shape a career.
Partner organizations host a Kolbe student one day a week. Full-time program directors cultivate each partnership, vet applicants through a rigorous application process, match students with mentors, and provide the close coaching that keeps the relationship thriving.
Contact the Development office · (203) 335-2554 ext. 112“We are always happy to have her here and wish she could be here more. We plan to get her more exposure to clinical observations in the coming weeks with MD visits.”
Hospital for Special Surgery “He is very nice and hits all the marks. Very punctual, polite, and interested in everything we explain.”
Partners in Architecture
More partner voices on the donor page.