StM News

For seniors at St. Martin’s, the two weeks between the final day of class and graduation are defined by a long-standing tradition. For more than 30 years, graduating classes have participated in the Senior Internship Program, an initiative designed to provide real-world learning experiences that give students a first-hand glimpse of future career paths and life after college.

The program was created by Dr. Bill Rosenbaum, who served as the Upper School Counselor and a teacher at St. Martin's for nearly 50 years. Dr. Rosenbaum envisioned the program as an opportunity for students to explore industries through firsthand observation, gain exposure to potential career paths, and further develop leadership, responsibility, analysis, and planning skills. The program helps students strengthen critical thinking abilities while bridging the gap between academic studies and professional environments.

As part of the internship requirements, students maintain a blog, submitting four entries that detail their day-to-day experiences. These reflections address topics such as initial impressions, daily responsibilities, unexpected challenges, and lessons learned about potential career paths. Many participants express surprise at the physical and mental exhaustion of a full workday and gain a greater appreciation for the behind-the-scenes effort required in various occupations, a perspective that fosters humility and respect.

The Class of 2026 is gaining hands-on experience across a remarkably diverse range of corporate, medical, legal, and civic organizations throughout the region. In the healthcare sector, students are shadowing professionals and learning clinical skills at Ochsner, West Jefferson Medical Center, LSU Health Science Center, and more. Those exploring the legal field are observing courtroom proceedings and corporate law at Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett, Kean Miller, LLP, MBLB, and Huber Thomas Law Firm, among others.

The program also features robust placements in engineering, construction, and real estate, with students embedded at Woodward Design Build, RNGD, Hemelt Brothers LLC, and more. Meanwhile, other seniors are exploring creative entrepreneurship and wealth management at Sylvia T Designs, TruWealth Advisors, LLC, and SCIN + LLC.

The regional sports and public service sectors are also well-represented, with students gaining insight into large-scale operations at the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans Organization, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, ASM New Orleans, the Kenner Police Department, and the LDWF. 

Whether they are reviewing case files with attorneys, analyzing financial portfolios, or observing patient care, the Class of 2026 actively engaged in these professional environments for the full two-week period. In their blog posts, students regularly note a sense of pride, purpose, and emerging confidence as they work directly alongside industry experts in the community.

For some students, the internship confirms a long-held career aspiration, while for others, it reveals that a prospective job might not be the right fit. True to St. Martin's mission, the internship program helps to prepare graduates not just for college, but for life, guiding them toward careers that match their values and strengths.