Internships aren’t just for college students — they also open up doors for high schoolers and provide them with valuable work opportunities. Internships are a great stepping stone for students seeking to gain job experience and build their resumes. They help prepare students for college or work and give them a solid foundation for the career skills they’ll need as they age.
Understanding high school internships and how to find them will help students successfully become interns before graduating.
What Are High School Internships and How Do They Work?
High school internships are short-term jobs for students looking to build a resume and professional skills. Internships are a great way to start networking and learn essential introductory information about professions they might be interested in pursuing. Since internships are mostly about experience-building, they can be paid, unpaid, part-time, or full-time positions. Some will last only a few weeks, and others will stretch out for months or a year.
Since internships are a step towards more significant professional roles, they’re primarily for college or high-school students looking to get started in a particular field. High school internships are an excellent way for students to have stand-out work added to their resumes and academic records. Colleges view high school internships as impressive — they tend to reflect a hardworking, dedicated attitude.
Once you get an internship, you’ll start at the company. Interns often do the same work as entry-level employees. Depending on the internship, you could stick with one role or perform several different tasks to get experience with multiple types of work in the industry. You’ll usually have a supervisor or group of professionals to report to. Interns might work with customers, employees, and other interns or independently. Internships are highly flexible, so be prepared for anything.
Externships vs. Internships
Externships are similar to internships, with a few key differences. Externships are more short-term and are often unpaid. Additionally, they don’t provide college credit. However, they offer more flexibility and require less commitment than internships. Externships are great for high school students looking to rule out different jobs and gain experience. Getting a short externship allows them to build essential skills and learn more about a job without the same time commitment as an internship.
Why High School Internships Are Important
Getting an internship in high school is one of the best ways to get an advantage going into the job market or college admissions. Working as an intern can help students narrow down their goals for the future. Working different short-term jobs will help students find what professional work they want to pursue and allow them to build essential experience before entering the job market.
Along with building practical skills and work experience, a high school internship gives students relevant work to add to their college applications and resumes. Colleges love to see students put in the extra work with internships — they demonstrate an eagerness to learn and a drive to succeed. If a student goes outside of school to learn and grow with an internship, they are more likely to seem like students who would fit with what a college wants.
Additionally, one of the best benefits of internships is the experience gained from working. Internships require a smaller commitment than a full-time job and offer greater flexibility and shorter contracts to students who want to see what work they like to do. Students will still have time to do schoolwork and other non-academic activities, giving them work experience without pushing them into the 40-hour workweek right away.
High school internships allow students to explore different job opportunities and build essential life skills while still in school. They’re the perfect opportunity to expand their horizons and prepare for life after high school.
Tips for Finding High School Internships
If you’re interested in summer internship programs, here are some tips to help you get started. Follow these steps and secure an excellent internship that will help you grow and increase your marketable skills.
Network
Networking is one of the key ways to secure an internship. If students or their parents know someone working in a field relevant to their interests, you should reach out to them to ask about internship opportunities. These familiar connections are a great way to get your foot in the door and start an internship.
Additionally, always keep a record of the people you work with or speak to professionally. An interviewer or former manager might help you get the next internship if you’ve presented yourself well to them. Make a note of their business cards, phone numbers, email, and other contact information. The more people you get into contact with, the wider your network and the more likely you’ll find someone who can help you get the internship you want.
Research
Always do research before applying to and starting an internship. Explore your interests and pinpoint the opportunities that fit your future goals. Once you’ve applied to companies you’d like to intern with, do lots of research before the interview. Review potential questions, important points to cover, and any prior experience you have that might be helpful. The more research you do, the better prepared you’ll be for the interview and internship.
Write a Resume and Cover Letter
Resumes are critical for any job or internship. These show off your accomplishments and relevant experience for potential employers, demonstrating the value you’d bring to their group. Cover letters are another spot to advertise yourself — they’ll demonstrate your writing skills and act as your pitch for the internship. A good cover letter highlights why an internship could benefit from having you and what makes you want to work there.
Gather Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation also act as a character reference. Employers want to know if you’re trustworthy, hardworking, and skilled. Ask teachers, former bosses, and other professionals who have experience working with you for recommendation letters. They’ll detail your talents and help boost your chances of getting the role you want.
Prepare for Interviews
Do lots of prep before your interview. The more ready you are, the smoother the process will go. Employers want to see that interns are motivated to do well on the job, and preparation demonstrates this. Practice your responses, have questions ready at the end, and understand the role. Good prep boosts your chances of success and shows your commitment to the internship.
Contact CCA to Learn How We Can Help Your Child Explore Internship Opportunities!
Internships help students build essential skills and help them craft well-rounded resumes before they enter college and the workforce. Additionally, they bring students into their communities, encouraging them to network with locals and provide a service over the summer. CCA believes internships are a core part of building well-rounded students who give back to their local area. Our personalized learning programs emphasize educational and practical skills, giving children the resources they need to succeed for the rest of their lives.
If you’re interested in joining CCA or exploring our internship resources, contact us to learn about more opportunities today!
