West Potomac Senior, Abigail Leach, was among the twenty interns participating in FCPS’s first successful Internship Program. This new six-week paid opportunity offered FCPS students and graduates the opportunity to intern at one of their ten departments. 

During the program, she worked for Educate Fairfax, a nonprofit that works with Title I schools in Fairfax County to fundraise and bring awareness to underprivileged students. Leach helped with the ‘Kids in Need’ fund, making sure students had the resources they needed for the upcoming school year. 

“I headed food and school supplies drives. We created 500 to 700 snackpacks and filled over 300 backpacks with school supplies for elementary schoolers,” Leach said. “I also had to do so much inventory and marketing for the program.”

Interns were offered weekly workshops to help advance professional skills. Every Thursday, all departments met to go through different seminars. This year, interns learned all about crafting a resume, creating a bank account, and how to work with others. 

“I learned how to be in a professional environment, like how to send emails and how to dress professionally,” Leach mentions. “The whole internship was centered around helping you, not just helping them.”

Other interns worked for the Human Resources, Student Activities and Athletics Office, and the School Safety and Security Office to help organize the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. 

“Overall, I don’t plan on going into education, but it made me appreciate how much work goes into operating FCPS,” she said. “For those that want to apply, I would say to just give it your all and to be confident,” Leach said.

Applications for the 2026 internship program open in the Spring. To apply, interns must be 16 years or older and an FCPS student or graduate. For more information check out their Instagram @fcpsinterns.