While this website is primarily geared toward college students and recent graduates, I wanted to write a brief article about what to know about an internship in high school. If you’re a high school student, this probably sounds overwhelming, and you likely have more questions than answers. Here’s a brief overview about what a high school internship is, how to find it, and what it entails. If you want to read about the benefits of doing an internship in high school, read my article here.
What is an internship?
An internship is essentially on-the-job learning. It may be paid or unpaid experience in which you show up to a workplace and assist with various tasks in that setting. This should be more than just getting people coffee; it should be work related to your field of study. For example, in a software engineering internship, this might be helping to code an app or program. In politics, this might be organizing data, data entry, or making calls. At the end of the day, an internship in high school should teach you about the job, the requirements, and what to expect.
How much of a commitment is an internship in high school?
This is a great question. Unfortunately, there’s no blanket answer. Each internship is different, and you should look at the application to determine what the expectation is. I’ve seen internships where you can pick your own number of weekly hours as well as internships with set schedules. Usually, you won’t work more than 20 hours per week. In terms of program length, it also varies. Some internships are seasonal, while others have a minimum number of hours you must complete with the option to continue afterward.
Where can you find an internship in high school?
There are many places to find an internship in high school, although it can be overwhelming at first. First and foremost, check your network. Networking is incredibly important, and usually you or your parents know someone who knows someone in your field. Even if they can’t give you an internship, they might know someone who can. One of the best pieces of career advice that I ever got was that most jobs are found because of who you know, not what you know. This applies in high school as well.
If you don’t have anyone in your direct network, check social networks and media. Sometimes people post things on social media, or even Next Door. This is where your parents will be super helpful. You can also follow companies that you’re interested in to see what opportunities are out there. If you want the in person version of this, look at local Starbucks or community bulletins for any opportunities!
Your school could also be a great resource. Many schools have partnerships with local organizations and industries. Some schools even have internship programs or pipelines to directly connect you! Take advantage of this. Ask a counselor or college counselor at your school what resources are available to you.
Finally, we have Google and job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, etc. Google honestly will be your best friend. I recommend looking up something like “high school internship STEM (your city)” to ensure that it matches your field and location. You’d be surprised what you find and what other people have collected! Job boards are also helpful because it is quite literally their purpose to show jobs. However, be careful, as some of them don’t always filter for high school internships and will only show college internships. These can also be more competitive because of their visibility.
What should you expect when applying to an internship?
You should expect to submit a resume and cover letter, and potentially answer more questions in the application. Each application is different, but the vast majority will require these two things. Once you have been selected to move on to the next phase, there will usually be at least one interview. During the interview, it is important that you research the company ahead of time, come with questions of your own, and remain professional. After the interview, the company should reach out and tell you whether or not you got the position. You will then be onboarded and begin your internship!
Potential roadblocks for an internship in high school
It’s important to note that there may be a few roadblocks. Some internships only accept people of a certain age (16+ or 18+). This is for a few reasons. First, you’ll likely need to be able to transport yourself. Second, there are some legal liabilities that they need to cover. Finally, they want to make sure that they are bringing in mature enough interns, and sometimes that can be difficult when high school students are younger.
Additionally, you need to make sure that you can balance an internship with your current workload and other responsibilities. Time management is a critical skill that you develop as you get older. However, it’s important to balance your schedule so that you avoid things like slipping grades and burnout. If you want a second opinion, try talking to your parents or counselor!
Beginning Your Internship
Once you have applied, interviewed, and been accepted, the company will help to onboard you. If you are under 18, your parents will likely have to sign forms for you. An NDA (non-disclosure agreement) is common in many fields. It seems scary, but it basically just says that you won’t share any private company or client information. You will also get an orientation in which they explain how things work, tell you more about company culture, and outline your role more in depth.
During the first few days, you will likely shadow people who do a similar job. This is built in place to support you so that you can comfortably ask questions and learn. As time goes on, you will assume a more independent role. These first few days are a great chance to ask your questions, clarify any concerns you have, and form a routine. After that, you’re all set!
Conclusion
An internship in high school can be intimidating. For many, it’s your first foray into the adult world and into real, meaningful career experience. However, it is worth the time and effort for a variety of reasons, and it will enrich your life. Have you tried a high school internship before? Let me know!
Photo Credit: Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash
