High School Internships: Requirements, Opportunities, and Benefits
Internships provide high school students with invaluable opportunities to explore potential career paths, gain real-world experience, and develop professional skills. They offer a bridge between academic learning and the professional world, allowing students to apply their knowledge in practical settings. While often associated with college or graduate studies, internships are increasingly recognized as beneficial for high school students, with a growing number of employers actively seeking to hire them.
Why Pursue an Internship in High School?
Participating in internships during high school offers numerous advantages:
- Career Exploration: Internships allow students to delve into fields that pique their interest. For instance, aspiring journalists can work at newspapers or magazines, while future entrepreneurs can gain experience at local businesses. By immersing themselves in a particular field, students can determine if it aligns with their personality, goals, and skillset before committing to it academically or professionally. As News & World Report says, “Your internship should be an opportunity to explore things you are truly passionate about and can’t learn in school."
- Skill Development: Internships provide a platform for students to strengthen their professional skills and gain practical experience. They offer a chance to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
- Resume Building: Internships add tangible evidence of skills to resumes and college applications, demonstrating a student's ability to thrive in the workplace. They showcase initiative, work ethic, and a willingness to learn, making students more attractive to future employers and college admissions committees. High school is a crucial time to strengthen your professional work experiences. Internships show future employers that you have the ability to thrive in the workplace and add tangible evidence of skills to resumes and college applications.
- Networking Opportunities: Internships provide a chance to connect with professionals in a chosen field, expanding a student's network and opening doors to mentorship and future career opportunities. Networking occurs when you cultivate relationships with people who share your professional interests, in the hopes that you can draw on each other’s experiences and knowledge.
Finding the Right Internship
The internship search process can be exciting, but it can also be daunting. Here's a breakdown of how to find the right internship:
Online Job Search Sites: Students should start by searching online on job search sites or by inquiring at local businesses in industries that interest them. The internet is a great resource to find internships.
- Glassdoor: This site hosts anonymous employee reviews about company culture, salaries, and possible interview questions.
- Indeed: This site combines elements of Glassdoor and LinkedIn, allowing you to upload a resume, search for jobs, and read company reviews.
- Internships.com: Also referred to as Internships.com, this site is unique in that it specifically focuses on internship listings, which you can sort by experience level and compensation.
- Idealist: This site lists jobs, internships, and even volunteer opportunities available in the nonprofit sector.
Local Businesses: If your student is having trouble finding an internship that fits, they might have to get creative. They should think about what kind of job sounds interesting or what skills they would like to improve and then look around their local community for people and places that might offer a relevant internship opportunity.
Read also: Job Skills for Students
Networking: Searching for an internship is the perfect opportunity to practice your networking skills. The good news is that your network is probably already much larger than you think. Your high school guidance counselor or college and career center are excellent sources to turn to for community-based advice, too. They can give you specialized feedback based on your goals and from the experiences of past students. Remember, the more people who know that you’re searching for an internship, the better your chances of finding one. Showing your enthusiasm also proves useful when uncovering internships. At the very least, it serves as an opportunity to learn a little more about the industry, get referred to other groups, and practice your communication skills.
Internship Application Essentials
The internship process may be your first time putting together a resume. But, remember, that discomfort and nervousness is normal. And the internship search doesn’t have to be intimidating. To help, we’re going to break down everything from networking to interviewing, and get you set up for success. Here are the key components of a successful internship application:
- Resume: Almost every application will ask you to attach a resume, a document which summarizes your prior background and skills. Generally, you want to keep it brief; try to keep your resume no longer than one page (recruiters spend an average of six seconds on every resume). When considering each of the following components, be mindful about highlighting your own qualities, dreams, and motivations. My strengths will not be the same as your strengths and vice versa. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you want to leave an impression on employers, but what this looks like varies according to every person.
- Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be considered hand-in-hand along with your resume. Whereas the resume is a succinct list of your abilities, the cover letter is a supplement which allows your personal voice to shine. When given the option you should always include it. It is a one-page letter detailing your interest in an organization and the contributions you would like to make, so elaborate on why this internship in particular excites you.
- References: References can make or break a potential internship, so select people who know you well and will be able to vouch for your strengths. While your friends and family will have wonderful things to say about you, refrain from listing them as references, since these are meant to be people who can speak about you in a professional capacity. At the same time, resist the temptation to list somebody who has impressive credentials but doesn’t really know that much about you.
- Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation take a much longer time to procure, especially during college application season. Plan ahead and give at least a month’s notice in advance. Providing your recommenders with your resume and a brief run-down of your career hopes will help them tailor a letter which fits with your application.
- Transcripts: Employers will also occasionally request a copy of your high school transcript, which you can obtain from your school.
Excelling in the Interview
The key thing to keep in mind when tackling an interview is that the other person is human, too. There’s no need to be nervous; just be yourself and showcase what you can contribute to an internship. Besides being a chance for an employer to learn about you, this is a time for you to get a glimpse into how their business operates.
- Preparation: Before the interview, review common interview questions and practice answering them. Responses don’t have to be scripted, but have a solid idea of what could be asked and the experiences you want to elaborate on.
- Professionalism: From a practical standpoint, make sure to arrive well before the interview is scheduled to start. Bring a copy of your resume for the interviewer to refer back to throughout the interview.
- Attire: You’ll want to dress professionally; what that means could vary according to where you apply, but when in doubt, err on the side of caution and go more conservative with your look.
Notable Internship Programs for High School Students
Numerous internship programs cater specifically to high school students, offering structured and enriching experiences. Here are a few examples:
Adler Planetarium Teen Internships: This program exposes Chicago-area high school students to the inner workings of a museum, fostering community building and professional development skills. The Adler Planetarium Teen Internship program exposes high school students to what it’s like to work in a museum. It also helps participants develop valuable skills for community building and professional development. No prior work experience is required.Who’s eligible? Chicago area high school students.
Read also: Exploring Programs at Northeast High
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program: This program offers hands-on experiences working with full-time AFRL scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research and technology in various STEM-related fields. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program offers valuable hands-on experiences working with full-time AFRL scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research and technology. Participants are assigned to projects in a variety of STEM-related fields, each of which will give them experience working in a technology-based environment under the supervision of experienced researchers and engineers.
Bank of America Student Leaders: This program connects community-minded high school students to local nonprofit organizations, providing opportunities for leadership development and community service. Are you passionate about serving and improving your community? The Bank of America Student Leaders program is an internship program connecting community-minded high school students to local nonprofit organizations.
BRAINYAC (Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia): Offered through the Zuckerman Institute’s BRAINYAC (Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia), this program connects NYC 10th and 11th graders with scientists for hands-on neuroscience research experiences.
Carnegie Museum of Art’s Youth Art Initiative (YAI): The Carnegie Museums have various summer internship and volunteer opportunities for high school students. The YAI internship program gives interns the opportunity to collaborate with museum staff and artists to produce original projects and public events.
Cincinnati Museum Center Internships: The Cincinnati Museum Center offers several internship programs for people hoping to gain hands-on experience and learn about professional opportunities in museums and non-profits.
Read also: Eligibility for National Awards
Expanding Horizons Internship: The Expanding Horizons Institute (EHI) offers an incredible internship program that exposes first-generation students to professional career paths, guidance, and support during the college application process.
GeoSciences Bridge Program: The Geosciences Bridge Program offers a six-week summer internship at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in Princess Anne, MD. The program may be a perfect fit if you’re interested in getting hands-on work experience in geosciences and taking two college courses before the start of your freshman year of college.
Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program: The Hutton Program is a paid summer internship and mentoring program for high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing natural resource and environmental management. The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week summer internship and mentoring program for high school students interested in fisheries and aquatic science. It specifically aims to increase opportunities among underrepresented groups in the fishery profession.
Indiana University Cancer Center Summer Research Internships: The Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center offers several summer internships for high school students interested in cancer research. These programs include the Educational Pathways for Cancer Research (EPCR), Summer Program for Academic Research in Cancer (SPARC), and Future Scientists programs.
Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences: This summer program exposes Baltimore-area high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to careers in the neurological sciences. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a 5-8 week summer research program that exposes high school students to careers in the neurological sciences. Interns get the opportunity to work on research projects at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology or virtually.
Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH Program: The Kaiser Permanente (KP) Launch Program is a seven-week internship program designed to give high school interns exposure to administrative and supporting careers in healthcare environments. The program aims to increase diversity in healthcare careers by supporting students from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities.
Ladder Internships: Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship.
Library of Congress High School Summer Internship: The High School Summer Internship, offered by the Office of the Librarian/Informal Learning Office, is an intensive four-week summer internship opportunity. Participating interns learn about the Library of Congress (LOC) and help the Center for Learning, Literacy and Engagement develop and create content to support family and youth engagement in a new exhibition space in the LOC.
Met High School Internship: Rising juniors and seniors from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut can connect with professionals in the fields of art, museum, and creativity at one of the world’s finest museums-The Metropolitan Museum of Art-with this awesome in-person paid internship. Over the course of this program, students will develop professional skills, build a network, and gain work experience in various departments of the museum.
Microsoft Discovery Program: In Microsoft’s Discovery Program, students will learn a lot about the world of computer science and programming.
NASA Internships: NASA offers a multitude of internship opportunities for full-time high school students over 16 years of age.
New York Historical Society Internship: Interns use the resources of the New York Historical Society to conduct exciting research and share their scholarship through creative projects.
Princeton University Internship: Princeton University offers a full-time research experience for students looking to enter STEM fields such as engineering and natural sciences.
Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) Internship: The Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) offers a Student Research Internship Program for highly motivated high school students.
Simons Summer Research Program: While not an internship per se, the Simons Summer Research Program provides hands-on experience in science, math, or engineering as participants work closely with faculty mentors on real research projects. The program is open to high school juniors.
Skills for Rhode Island’s Future (SkillsRI): As a workforce intermediary, we find that employers are by-and-large eager to get involved in internships programs but do not know how. That is why SkillsRI recently launched the Work-based Learning Navigator, an online platform to better connect educators to year-round, work-based learning resources. The Navigator serves as a matchmaker where educators can post opportunities their students are looking for and employers can post the experiences they can provide.
Smithsonian Internships: The Smithsonian offers a wide variety of internship opportunities, ranging from centrally funded opportunities that place interns throughout the Smithsonian to specific opportunities available at each of the Smithsonian’s various museums, research centers, and other units.
Stanford University Internship: This free two-week opportunity offered by Stanford University allows rising high school juniors and seniors to explore cutting-edge chemical research.
The Jackson Laboratory Internship: This prestigious internship allows students to immerse themselves in genetics and genomic research at one of The Jackson Laboratory’s two campuses: Farmington, Connecticut, or Bar Harbor, Maine.
USSS Pathways Program: Through participation in the USSS Pathways Program, students gain insight into the nature and structure of the Secret Service while gaining valuable personal and professional skills.
Paid vs. Unpaid Internships
While many high school internships are unpaid, some offer financial compensation. Paid internships are less common for high school students, but be sure to apply anyway. Even when an internship is unpaid, it can serve as a way to get your foot in the door and can lead to a career down the road. Many interns are offered full-time positions after graduating from high school or college, so some extra work now can be lucrative in the long run.
Virtual Internships: A Modern Approach
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual internships, offering students flexible and accessible work-based learning experiences. SkillsRI pivoted to a virtual model called the “COVID-19 Innovation Challenge,” where students developed solutions to challenges faced by employers due to the pandemic. This experience highlighted the potential of virtual internships and provided valuable lessons:
- Build in the requisite support systems for students: Whether in-person or online, it is critical to consider the additional resources students need to perform their roles with success.
- Provide support to program coaches and mentors: While a weeklong training program or workshops can be beneficial, it is important to consider what effective mentoring and coaching looks like in a virtual setting, too.
- Use technology and remote work culture to your advantage: Students are already gravitating toward greater use of technology, and they are hungry for these work-based experiences.
- Implement year-round opportunities for students: Many employers think students can only participate in an internship program or work-based learning opportunity for part of the year, but collaborating with educators can prove successful to planning programs that work for students whether they are actively in school or not.
- Foster connections between educators and the business community: As a workforce intermediary, we find that employers are by-and-large eager to get involved in internships programs but do not know how.
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