How to Find an Internship in High School
Internships have become an increasingly popular way for students to gain experience and learn about various career fields. They are also a great way to stand out in a college application process.
If you’re interested in finding an internship, it’s important to start early! This will help you find a position that will suit your needs.
Talk to Teachers
Getting a high school internship is a great way to boost your application for college and get valuable experience while still in high school. Internships also allow you to learn about different careers and discover if they are the right fit for your skills. They can help you decide whether or not a particular career is for you, and they can teach you new skills that will be useful in any job after you graduate from college.
Many high schools now offer internship programs, and some even integrate them into the curriculum. While this approach can help students network, explore potential career paths, and gain hands-on experience, it’s important to make sure that the internship is actually meaningful.
One of the most effective ways to find an internship is to reach out to teachers and staff at your child’s school. This could include coaches, club moderators, or other school staff that work in the field your child is interested in.
It’s also a good idea to contact the school’s admissions office and ask if they have any high school internships. Universities want to be able to show that their students have done something interesting outside of the classroom, and internships are a perfect opportunity for this.
For example, if your child is interested in a tech field, they might look into connecting with a virtual reality company to intern for a few hours each week. The connections made with these types of companies can lead to more full-time jobs or even scholarships for college.
You can also check with local colleges to see if they have any internships for students. If they do, they can help you make the most of your time and give you the best experience possible.
In addition, they can help you prepare for a successful interview with the company you are applying to. They can also help you create a resume and cover letter that highlight your experience and interest in the specific position.
You can also look online for internships that are available in your area and city. This will give you a wide range of options, but be wary of sites that charge to set up internships for high school students. Most of these websites are just trying to make money, and they may not care about the quality of the internships they offer.
Reach Out to Staff
High school internships can be an invaluable experience, as they give students the chance to work in a professional environment, meet mentors, and gain real-world skills. In addition, they are a great way to build resumes and apply for college.
Internships are a vital part of a student’s educational journey, and the right one can make or break their future career plans. They help students build a strong network of professionals and show future employers that they have the ability to thrive in the workplace, says Lisa Caraway, executive director of the Marin County Internship Collaborative.
To find a high school internship, a student should start with their guidance counselor and teachers. These professionals can be a wealth of information about local businesses and nonprofits that are looking for interns, says Cheston. The guidance office can also connect you with former students who have interned.
Once you have identified a few potential options, it’s time to reach out. Your child should send an email or letter that clearly states why they are interested in the position, and what specific skills and experiences they have that would be beneficial to the organization.
Your child should include a cover letter that includes their resume and any other relevant documents, such as transcripts. Then, they should explain how they can make the best use of their time at the organization.
Unlike traditional college internships, many high school internship programs are unpaid. However, it’s still important to remember that an internship does offer students the opportunity to earn a paycheck, which can be helpful for putting money away for college tuition.
You can reach out to local business groups like chambers of commerce, and your local government agencies. You can also ask your friends and family to spread the word about your internship search.
If your child is not yet a senior, they can start by applying to a summer program. This can help them gain real-world work experience, as well as help them decide if they are truly interested in that field.
If your child is a junior, they can apply for a summer internship that will provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to move forward in their careers. These opportunities can be as long or as short as your child wants them to be.
Talk to Your Friends
Internships are a great way to experience different careers and gain a better understanding of what kind of work you want to do in the future. They also help you build a portfolio of skills that can help you get accepted into college and find a job post-graduation.
If you want to know how to find an internship in high school, you can talk to your friends and family members about what opportunities are available at their companies. They might be able to help you connect with someone who works at the company and can recommend you for an internship.
Many high schools have internship programs that allow students to complete internships during the summer or even during the spring or fall. These programs can be a great way to gain hands-on experience and make a positive impression on potential employers, so check with your high school guidance counselor for any internships they might have that are suitable for you.
Another great way to find an internship is to search online. Use job boards and websites that specialize in internships to find a suitable position for you. You can also contact universities in your area or local hospitals or clinics to ask if they have any opportunities that you can apply for.
Once you’ve identified a few internships, write an application and resume for each position. Include all of your relevant experiences, such as clubs and extracurricular activities. You should also include a bold objective statement that explains why you are the perfect candidate for the position.
You may also want to reach out to your parents to find out if they have any friends or family who might be willing to offer you an internship. It can be hard to make an impression on a hiring manager without a professional connection, so having a parent or other close relative inquire on your behalf will help you stand out from the crowd.
If you are unsure what kind of career you want to pursue, consider taking an internship in your junior year or early in your senior year. This will help you determine your passions, interests and career goals, which can be very helpful in guiding your future.
Reach Out to Alumni
Internships are often unpaid, but they can provide students with valuable work experience and a chance to learn more about a specific career. In addition, internships can help students decide if a particular job is right for them.
One of the best ways to find an internship in high school is to reach out to alumni from colleges that you are interested in attending. These alumni are often eager to share their college experiences with future students.
The easiest way to contact alumni is to go to your guidance counselor’s office and ask for a list of graduates from that school who are willing to talk to you about their experiences. You can also try to contact current students who are enrolled at that college and see if they would be willing to talk to you about their experience.
Another good way to reach out to alumni is to send an email to their personal email address and tell them that you are interested in getting an internship. In the body of the email, include a short explanation about your interest in their field and why you want to work there.
If the alum has time, she might be able to set up an informational interview with you. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about her career path, how her education helped her in her job, and whether there are any obstacles she has encountered along the way that you might not be aware of.
Remember that alumni are busy professionals and you may not hear back immediately. Be patient with them, and if they aren’t able to meet you in person, schedule an informational phone call instead.
Lastly, if you’re interested in working for a large or medium-size company, it’s likely that they have summer internship programs for college students. These programs are usually designed by the hiring manager to allow college students to gain real-world experience during the summer before they graduate.
Networking is important throughout your career, but it’s especially crucial for high school students to begin it early. It can help you determine what kind of career you want to have and it can make the entire process of applying for a post-college career much easier.