For Indian Hill High School sophomore Kyler Zheng, summer break was all business, working a paid summer technology internship with the Indian Hill School District Innovation and Technology team from late May through late June. The internship was designed to provide a student interested in technology with authentic, hands-on experience while learning directly from professionals working in the field.

“I got to expand on my knowledge in tech and use a lot of devices that I normally wouldn't work with,” Zheng said.

Throughout the internship, Zheng supported the technology team wherever help was needed, gaining exposure to the devices, systems, and work that help keep technology operating across the district.

“Kyler came into this experience ready to learn, but what stood out was how willing he was already equipped to jump in and contribute,” said Mark Richardson, Indian Hill School District director of innovation and technology. “An internship like this gives our students the opportunity to see how their interests and skills translate into a professional environment. At the same time, our team benefits from the ideas and perspective our students bring to the table.”

For Zheng, one of the most meaningful parts of the experience was simply “Being able to help the team.”

That contribution went both ways. During the internship, Zheng introduced Richardson to artificial intelligence (AI) tools that could potentially support his work, an example of the collaborative learning that can happen when students and professionals work side-by-side.

“One of my favorite parts of this experience was having Kyler teach me,” Richardson said. “He showed me AI tools and ways of thinking about technology that gave me some new ideas for my own work. That is exactly what innovation should look like at Indian Hill; our students aren't just preparing for the future; they can help us think differently about what is possible right now.”

Zheng said the internship gave him the chance to learn more about IT and technology while experiencing work that he would not normally encounter in his everyday routine. His advice to other students considering an internship is simple: “Get out of your comfort zone.”

Photo caption: Indian Hill High School sophomore Kyler Zheng completed a paid summer internship with the Innovation and Technology Department at the Indian Hill School District.