Central to Notre Dame
Preparatory School’s mission is academic excellence. Yet, not all learning occurs in school. The Women In... (WIN) Career Exploration Program places students in career settings so they may explore interests and apply classroom learning to real work and real-world experiences.
Initiated in 2006 with a focus on science and medicine, WIN has expanded to include opportunities in business, law, finance, insurance, real estate, and engineering, among others. To date, more than 1,900 girls have held WIN internships, or “WINternships,” with more expected each year as new career tracks are added.
EDUCATE
All Notre Dame Prep Upper Level students, with placement preference to rising seniors, are eligible to participate in WIN. A host of mentors, including NDP parents, alumnae, and friends, sponsor opportunities ranging from half-day to two-week shadow experiences to full-time unpaid internships.
WIN training provides life skills in addition to content enrichment. In advance of their placement, students must take a Workplace Etiquette seminar to learn about real-world expectations regarding proper work attire, conduct, communication, and manners.
“My WINternship taught me so much about anesthesia and about how all the important roles and different jobs need to go correctly to have a successful operation.
Communication and teamwork were evident not only in the OR but also beforehand in all the preparation it took.”
—Katherin P. ’25, WINterning at Johns Hopkins Hospital with a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Bridget Peterson ’96, Head of Endowments & Foundations Business, coordinated an all-star roster of colleagues to explain the various divisions and career paths at Brown Advisory to WINterns Deidre R. ’25, Isabelle W. ’25, and Claire H. ’26.
“My WINternship with Judge David Carey taught me about the field of law. I learned about the different dockets, specifically criminal and domestic violence. Additionally, I learned about the mental health and drug abuse programs that the Harford County District Court offers to help the community.”
—Katie S. ’26, about her WINternship at the District Court of Maryland in Harford County
“I loved being able to see all of the different departments and how they work together. I especially liked the crime scene investigation equipment, such as the [device] that reveals fingerprints.”
—Olivia V. ’26, about her WINternship at Baltimore County Forensics Division
NDP alumnae Katie O’Brien ’05, Emma Blanchard ’16, and Michelle Stanley ’14 from WhitingTurner recently hosted five students for an immersive week-long WINternship in engineering.
EMPOWER
Mentoring young women can be transformative. As a mentor, you can have a direct positive impact in the lives of young women. NDP students think creatively and solve problems effectively. By introducing them to your career field, you will help them develop these important skills in their journey to become responsible citizens, innovative thinkers, effective communicators, and collaborative workers.
WIN mentors are key to the students learning on many levels. The role of a mentor includes:
• Supervising and guiding career exploration experience
• Nurturing communication, time management, teamwork, problem solving, and technology use skills
• Providing opportunities for observing and shadowing
• Evaluating the student at the conclusion of the internship u
INSPIRE
Becoming a WIN sponsor is easy! Simply contact Amy Alfriend, WIN Program Coordinator. Students learn about the available opportunities during the second semester of the school year and apply for internships that interest them. All students are selected via a competitive application process and will be paired with a sponsor. Since the program’s inception, NDP students have had WIN experiences in a variety of settings including:
• Medical practices, pharmacies, hospitals, and research facilities
• Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford Country Courts with Judges
• Local businesses representing fields such as:
• Finance, accounting, and banking
• Real estate
• Architecture and interior design
• Veterinary medicine
• Sales and marketing
• Public affairs
• Human resources
• Education
• Physical therapy
• Fashion merchandising
• Journalism
• Insurance
• Photography
• Nonprofit organizations
• College and university programs
• Legal practices and lobbying firms
• Engineering firms
WINterns Elise W. ’25 and Maeve M. ’25 spent the day with Dr. Samantha Wales, a research microbiologist at the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, learning about human norovirus and its impact on human health and food safety.
Amy Alfriend WIN Program Coordinator alfrienda@notredameprep.com 410-825-6202 ext. 1634
815 Hampton Lane Towson, Maryland 21286 www.notredameprep.com 410.825.6202