|
Among the graduating class of 2023, many seniors have elected to make their graduation project an internship--a way to test out a possible career path before even receiving a diploma. KHS student Kylie Day has been interning the last two weeks at Saco Bay Pediatric Therapy in Kennebunk.
"I want to be a pediatric physical therapist and I wanted to make sure this is what I wanted to do," Kylie said after working with a patient along with her supervisor, Dr. Maddie Tavares.
"I'm a dancer and I've worked with kids, so it made me realize I wanted to keep working with kids in my future...to have a career where I could help get kids back to where they need to be with their mobility."
The internship has removed any doubt Kylie had about her pursuing this path as a career.
"It's made me realize this is 100% what I want to do. I've worked with infants up to 13-year-olds--leg and core strengthening exercises...the whole experience is a really good way to get an idea of what I could be doing after high school."
Dr. Tavares took a similar path, shadowing orthopedics offices in both high school and college, but it was her pediatrics classes that turned her toward helping children.
"Learning about genetic disorders and that impact on kids' ability to play...I knew I wanted to help and this is what I wanted to do," Tavares said.
The experience has Kylie recommending to rising juniors and seniors to look for ways to partner with local businesses to help highlight some potential career paths.
"Take advantage of this opportunity your senior year. It's a really good way to get an idea of what you could be doing after high school," she said.
| 
