Securing an Internship: A Guide for High School Students

Introduction

Internships provide invaluable opportunities for high school students to gain real-world experience, develop professional skills, and explore potential career paths. More and more high school students are beginning to realize the importance of internships. And there’s an ever-increasing number of employers beginning to hire them. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the internship landscape, from understanding the benefits to securing the right opportunity.

Why Pursue an Internship in High School?

An internship can help you gain real-world experience, build professional skills, and explore potential career paths. 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.

Real-World Experience: Internships offer the first-time many students experience the professional world. Entering this period of career exploration can be incredibly exciting, but the path to get there can be daunting-especially when viewed through naive eyes. They provide meaningful opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations. They offer you the chance to take everything that you’re learning in school and apply it to the real world, while also allowing you to explore your passions.
Skill Development: An internship experience can help you build practical skills and understand workplace dynamics. Internships help you build practical skills and understand workplace dynamics. They provide a chance to develop and hone essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
Career Exploration: Internships offer you the chance to take everything that you’re learning in school and apply it to the real world. They allow you to see if a particular career path aligns with your interests and strengths. Before committing to a profession, it’s good to get a sense of whether it truly fits with your personality, goals, and skillset.

Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships
Networking Opportunities: Searching for an internship is the perfect opportunity to practice your networking skills. Internships provide opportunities to connect with professionals in your field of interest, potentially leading to mentorship and future career prospects. 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. Remember, the more people who know that you’re searching for an internship, the better your chances of finding one.
College Admissions: While not a guarantee, internships can strengthen your college applicant profile, especially to selective colleges. And, since college admissions committees want to know how you spend your summers, a summer internship is great for academic enrichment. They demonstrate your commitment to and experience in a particular field, and allow you to reflect on what you learned and how your experiences shaped you.

Dispelling Common Misconceptions

Plenty! There is a wide misconception that internships are a college or graduate experience, but this simply isn’t true. The movie stereotype of an intern who takes coffee orders all day isn’t always true; there are interns your age who are at the forefront of innovation and making stunning progress.

How to Find Internship Opportunities

Students should start to find internships for high school students by searching online on job search sites or by inquiring at local businesses in industries that interest them. 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. As you probably know, the internet is a great resource to find internships. If your student is having trouble finding an internship that fits, they might have to get creative. Here are several avenues to explore:

Online Job Boards and Internship Platforms

Indeed: Combines elements of the previous two resources by allowing you to upload a resume, search for jobs, and read company reviews.
Glassdoor: Is a site that hosts anonymous employee reviews about company culture, salaries, and possible interview questions.
Internships.com (Idealist): 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: Lists jobs, internships, and even volunteer opportunities available in the nonprofit sector.

Listings are posted all the time, so be sure to regularly check your sources for up-to-date information.

Read also: Comprehensive Internship Guide

Leveraging Your Network

School Resources: 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.
Family and Friends: Don't hesitate to ask family, friends, and neighbors if they know of any internship opportunities.
Direct Outreach: Getting an internship doesn’t always have to mean working at a big company. Reach out directly to businesses in your community or family network. A lot of times, there aren’t even listings for internships at small businesses online.

Structured Internship Programs

NASA Internships: NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement provides, annually, more than 2,000 students the opportunity to impact the agency’s mission through a hands-on internship. NASA offers internships for non-STEM majors. Even if you are not a science or engineering student, you can get an internship at NASA! OSTEM internships offer students an opportunity to gain practical work experience while working side-by-side with mentors who are research scientists, engineers, and individuals from many other professions. Internships may be full time or part time on a NASA center or facility. At NASA, our engineers, mathematicians, scientists, accountants, writers, IT specialists, project managers, program analysts, and many other professionals work together to break barriers to achieve the seemingly impossible. Interns may support a variety of business and program management work, including human resources, administration and program analysis, accounting and budget, communication and public relations, procurement and contracts, information technology, security, and education.
Bank of America Student Leaders: 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. (Here’s a guide to the Bank of America Student Leaders program.)
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.
AFRL Scholars Program: The AFRL Scholars Program, which is administered by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), is for upper-level high schoolers who want to work with AFRL engineers and scientists on research projects.

Key Steps in the Application Process

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.

Resume and Cover Letter

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). 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.

Resume: Summarize your skills, experiences, and accomplishments in a concise and easy-to-read format.
Cover Letter: Tailor your cover letter to each specific internship, highlighting your interest in the organization and the value you can bring.

Digital Presence

There are two aspects of your digital presence: the professional and the personal. As expected, the first has to do with the information that is posted for the benefit of your professional network. Use a professional headshot when creating your professional profiles. And you don’t have to get it professionally shot; a well-lit cellphone photo should do the trick. As you’re browsing through feeds, be on the lookout for chances to craft your personal narrative.

LinkedIn: Create a professional profile showcasing your skills and experiences.
Online Portfolio: If applicable, create a website or online portfolio to showcase your work.

References and Recommendations

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 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.

Choose Wisely: Select references who know you well and can speak to your skills and work ethic.
Provide Information: Give your references ample time and information to write a strong recommendation letter.

Transcripts

Employers will also occasionally request a copy of your high school transcript, which you can obtain from your school.

Read also: Internship Opportunities

Interview Preparation

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. 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. 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 conseravative with your look. 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. As a high school student, interviews can definitely be intimidating. However, the more you practice on your interview skills, the more prepared and confident you will feel when the opportunity arises.

Research the Organization: Understand the company's mission, values, and recent projects.
Prepare Answers: Practice answering common interview questions, highlighting your skills and experiences.
Dress Professionally: Choose appropriate attire based on the company culture.

Timing and Organization

Summer internships, for example, are often posted around November and have deadlines in the early winter, even if the start date is in May or June. Organization will be essential here. Trying to juggle internship listings, applications, and deadlines can get confusing, so create a virtual spreadsheet or calendar to keep on time.

Examples of Internship Programs for High School Students

STEM-Focused Internships

Opportunities are available in any field that you can imagine.

Adler Planetarium Teen Internships: 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.
BRAINYAC: The Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) is a summer internship program offered by the Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University. It gives interns an opportunity to gain hands-on experience assisting scientists with lab work.
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 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: 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.
STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program: Offered by the University of Texas Center for Space Research, the STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program provides opportunities for students to work with NASA, industry experts, and academics.
Princeton’s Laboratory Learning Program: Princeton’s Laboratory Learning Program is an outreach program for New Jersey high school students that provides a free, full-time research experience in the sciences under the supervision of Princeton faculty and research staff.
Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI): The Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) is an online, four-week program for rising college students interested in pursuing computer science.
ASSIP at George Mason University: ASSIP at George Mason University provides opportunities for high school students to conduct research with faculty researchers in many disciplines.

Arts and Culture Internships

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.
Met High School Internship Program: The Met High School Internship Program - as in, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City - offers opportunities for high school sophomores and juniors who reside in and attend school (or home school) in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.
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.

Healthcare Internships

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.
Medicine Encompassed: Medicine Encompassed is a student-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit aiming to promote awareness and increase accessibility for those interested in future medical careers through various mediums.

Business-Focused Internships

Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI): Are you a Chicago student who has an interest in business? The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) is open to high school sophomores and juniors who reside in the City of Chicago. Students accepted into the program learn about the financial services sector and develop essential skills that prepare them for a career in business.

Other Internship Opportunities

Virtual Internships Foundations: The Virtual Internships Foundations is a program specifically designed to give 14-18 years old the opportunity for career exploration and professional development remotely.

Making the Most of Your Internship

Finding an internship is just the beginning of the journey that lies ahead of you, so enjoy it. Even as you explore your interests, be open to straying off the path and following opportunities you never knew existed. Changing your trajectory is a sign of discovery, and your growing experiences and voice are what will bring us into a brighter tomorrow.

Be Proactive: Take initiative, ask questions, and seek out opportunities to learn and contribute.
Build Relationships: Network with your colleagues and mentors, and maintain those connections for future opportunities.
Reflect on Your Experience: Take time to reflect on what you've learned and how the internship has shaped your career goals.

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