Clayton Catalyst

The course is made up of four parts:

1. Students will learn professional etiquette, appropriate communication, ethics, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. They will complete a personality inventory, create a resume, cover letter, as well as refine their interview and overall professional skills.
2. Students in the course will be given seed money in order to develop an actual prototype of their entrepreneurial idea. These will be showcased at an end of the year pitch competition open to our business partners and members of the Clayton community. The winner of the competition will be awarded a scholarship to further develop their product or service.
3. Students will work on client projects directly from business and industry partners. They will build their professional network with business partners in all areas of business and industry. Students will conduct site visits on a frequent basis to a variety of businesses to learn directly from professionals.
4. Students will act as consultants and our business partners will serve as clients. The class will work on and complete projects for our business partners. By doing so, the students will "learn by doing" and our business partners will have tangible outcomes.
5. Students will have an opportunity to work as an intern for one or more of our business partners.

Any Clayton High School senior or junior that has completed the Complete the Catalyst (CAPS) Student Application. They will work with other eligible students from our four district consortium (Clayton, Brentwood, Ladue, and University City).

We are always looking for NEW business partners to work with! Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Level 1: Meet us and have a conversation with the students! This could be a candid discussion on your personal, professional, or educational background. It could also be on a topic that you think is relevant.
• Level 2: We will come to you! Site visits are an incredible learning opportunity for students. Being able to see a new space can be invaluable.
• Level 3: Do you have a project that you haven't had time to get to? "Hire" a team of student leaders to get to work for you!
• Level 4: Job Shadowing or Internship! A main component of this course is to provide students with an experience like no other. Giving students a chance to work as an intern during high school is just that.
• Level 5: Sponsorship! Examples include but are not limited to our annual pitch competition, hosting a space for students to learn, special learning experiences like a formal ettiquette dinner, etc.

Complete the Catalyst Business Partner Level of Involvement Form

Student Benefits

• Gain industry knowledge and explore career options in a field of interest
• Enhance professional skills necessary for success in the workplace
• Explore career opportunities
• Make valuable contacts and grow professional networks

Internship Hours and Compensation

• Internships may be during class time (1:45pm-3:15pm) or full-time and may be paid or unpaid
• Organizations determine if an internship is unpaid or paid, and the rate of pay
• Students may not receive compensation if they are working in an internship during school hours

Interview and Selection Process

• Once an internship position is submitted, the instructor will contact each business partner with next steps
• This will include setting up an in-person or phone interview with the student, as well as discussing paperwork that must be completed on both ends (background check, 1-9, etc.)

Evaluation Process

• One way for students to receive the maximum educational value from internship assignments is to have supervisors provide feedback on their performance
• Supervisors will be asked to provide students with verbal and written evaluations
• Students will be asked to complete a self-appraisal as part of the evaluation process

Welcome students! If you have any questions, please speak with Mr. Hildebrand or your counselor.

Complete the Catalyst (CAPS) Student Application