How to Find Internships For High School Students
Finding an internship can seem impossible, especially for students who have to maintain top grades and other high school activities. However, internships are a great way for students to get real-world experience and boost their resumes.
Moreover, they can help students find jobs after graduation, as many internships lead to full-time employment. And, most importantly, internships can help your child stand out in the applicant pool.
1. Ask Your Guidance Counselor
Internships are great for teens looking to learn more about a career and get hands-on experience, but it’s often hard for students to find them. They’re also an essential step in the process of preparing for college.
Your high school guidance counselor is an excellent resource for internships, especially if you’re not sure what type of internship to pursue. They can offer advice and connect you with local businesses that are hiring, according to Matuszewski.
Another resource is your network, which includes your parents, friends and family, teachers, coaches, and other people who have worked in the field you’re interested in. Make a list of people who you think might be able to help, and ask them about internships they’ve heard about.
It’s important to make contact with the internship-seeking company and be prepared to ask for an interview. This will show them that you’re committed to your internship and will make them more likely to bring you on as an intern, says Caraway.
There are also many internship opportunities available for high school students in local businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. For example, many zoos offer summer internships for students who want to gain experience working in the animal care and education fields.
You might even be able to find an internship that’s paid, which can help you earn money for senior week vacay or other expenses during your college years.
Choosing a job is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. If you don’t have a plan, you could end up getting stuck with a job that doesn’t match your interests. An internship is a great way to determine what kind of job you’re interested in and what skills you need to succeed.
2. Go in Person
Internships are a great way for high school students to gain real-world experience in their field of choice. They also provide students with a valuable skill set that can boost their chances of getting into a college or university of their choice.
However, internships can be a daunting task. Many businesses and organizations view interns as a risk, and they are hesitant to hire someone who is still in high school. It is important for students to be willing to take the extra time and effort necessary to find a good internship opportunity.
The key is to reach out in person to local businesses or organizations. The best way to do this is to get in contact with your high school guidance counselor, who can help you to find local businesses that are looking for interns.
Once you have found a business that has a position available, make sure to bring your resume along. This can give the business a sense of your professional background and how well you would fit into their organization.
You can also use sites like JobMogul to find internships in your area. These websites offer internships in a variety of fields, and they have filters that can help you find jobs that are a good fit for you.
Another great option is to check out a specialized job board that specifically lists internships for students. These job boards have thousands of listings and can be a great resource for finding a reputable internship that will meet your needs.
While internships can be a great way to explore career options, they can also be a great way for high school students to discover what they love and don’t like about certain professions. This will help them to make more informed decisions about the careers that are right for them and what they want to pursue after graduation.
3. Network
Internships are an excellent way for high school students to build real-world experience while gaining insight into the career path they’re interested in. These experiences can also help them learn how to find their passions and explore the world of work.
One of the best ways to find internships is to network. This can be done both in person and online. Whether you’re attending networking events or talking to your classmates and student orgs, it’s important to make connections with people who share a similar professional interest.
The key is to reach out to people and ask them about their experiences. They may have recommendations for your child that can help them find the right internship.
You can also approach universities directly. They are typically interested in providing education, so they are more likely to be willing to offer an internship opportunity for your child.
If your child has a teacher or mentor, they can also be helpful in finding an internship. They have a large network of friends and former classmates who may be able to provide a recommendation letter for your child.
It’s also important to take the initiative and search for your own opportunities. If your child has a passion for a certain field, they should be eager to get out there and start building their experience.
The key is to start early and work quickly. A group of interns I spoke to said they learned that the faster they worked on leads, the more likely they were to land an internship. They also said it was important to keep their networking skills fresh, so they kept following up on leads until they found the right fit.
4. Make a Role for Yourself
Internships are a great way to get hands-on experience and find out what your career path might be. They also help you gain new skills and build your resume.
However, finding the right internship can be challenging. You may be busy with school and extracurriculars that take up a lot of your time, making it difficult to fit internships into your schedule.
If you can’t find an internship that will work for your schedule, try to make a role for yourself instead. That way, you can show a business that you’re serious about the position and can do your part to help them reach their goals.
One way to do this is to ask if you can turn your volunteer responsibilities into a formal internship position. Once they see that you are dedicated and can meet the requirements of the job, they may be willing to give you a chance.
Another way to find an internship is to reach out to companies that you have heard about and ask if they have any opportunities. Be sure to do your research on the company before you contact them, though. Some unscrupulous organizations will charge a fee to set up internships.
In general, it is best to avoid paying to be an intern. These companies often don’t care about providing high quality internships to students, and will only make money by charging you for the opportunity.
If you’re a high school student looking for an internship, start by creating your own profile on LinkedIn and writing an elevator pitch about yourself to send to potential employers. Highlight your educational accomplishments and professional experience and make a compelling case for why you’re the perfect candidate for an internship.
5. Be Flexible
If you’re a high school student, internships can help you learn a new career or hone a skill you already have. Plus, they can boost your chances of college admissions. In fact, they can even add more weight to your application essays and scholarship resume.
Finding high school internships isn’t easy, but it’s worth the effort. It’s the perfect way to narrow your interests, boost your resume, and make a great impression on future employers.
Internships are also a great way to build important personal skills, like patience and self-motivation. They also help you develop leadership and organizational skills, which are key to a successful professional career.
While many college students wait until their freshman year to seek out internships, they can be a great opportunity for high school students to start building their resumes early. This is especially true for summer internships, as these placements allow students to learn about their potential careers without the stress of classes and extracurriculars.
To find internships for high school students, you can reach out to schools in your area and use online resources like Tallo. These sites have a wide range of listings for internships at different levels and in various industries.
If you want to be sure to find an internship that fits your schedule, try looking for companies and organizations with flexible hours. These might be summer internships or special programs that have evening and weekend hours.
It’s also a good idea to check with your guidance counselor or teachers before reaching out to businesses and organizations. These people know their students well, and they might be able to point you in the right direction.
