Why are High School Internships necessary?
Stepping into the world beyond classroom walls, internships are the gateway to personal and professional growth for high school students, opening doors to future opportunities and experiences. It is now becoming common for many high school students to participate in internships that serve as their gateway to developing their personalities and learning various skills that will be useful in their college years.
The value of internships during your high school years cannot be understated. Here are the top reasons why internships should be one of your first options to utilize your break:
- High school internships are the building blocks of your college application. It adds quite the edge to your application and improves your chance of landing a seat at the college of your choice. It allows you to have your application stand out in the pool. You get to brag about the fundamental practical skills as well as the technical skills you learned.
- You build a network. Collaborating with your employer and colleagues not only facilitates learning from them but also adds a great deal of value to your work. This can come in handy when you are looking for a job in the future.
- High school internships help you discover your potential. For high school students, it is a great opportunity to try out their skills in the field of their interest and investigate possible career options. Want to become an author? Find an internship at a content-writing agency or work under an academic writer to see where your potential truly lies. Moreover, it is simply a way by which you can determine which major is best for you. You may have multiple interests, but your internship can help you decide where exactly your skills match your interests.
- It helps you learn practical skills. Most internships are paid arrangements, so you get a chance to contribute to work and society. During this time, you get to learn a plethora of practical life skills, such as communication, listening, financial management, and more.
- High school internships give you a chance at practical application. High school is all about learning theories about the world. An internship is your chance to put your knowledge to practical use.
In general, it is safe to say that high school internships greatly enhance your profile and resume, which will help you get into the college of your choice and improve your college application. Many internships are considered very prestigious, depending on the credibility of the organization that you work with. It also helps in your admission when you link your internship experience to your entire application and the course you are applying for.
When is the right time to do an internship?
You may be left wondering with questions like, “So, do I look for an internship right away?”. It is always a good time to be on the lookout for an internship opportunity around you or a remote opportunity. Keep the following factors in mind before choosing your internship:
- Check the duration of your internship. Do not forget that you are still a high school student who could be swamped with exam prep, assignments, tests, and projects. Ensure that your internship provides a fair amount of flexibility in adjusting your schedule so that you devote adequate time to both your internship and academics. Therefore, summer internships or spring break are considered to be the best time to intern. This gives you a chance to work on-site and utilize your summer time more productively (while also earning a little pocket money).
- Evaluate the possible networking opportunities. A large part of what you’ll gain from internships is access to industry professionals who will prove extremely useful later in your life. Learning under their guidance will build your personality and contribute greatly to your learning—further enhancing your college application as well. Many networking opportunities also come in the form of meetings, seminars, workshops, or mentorship sessions—make the best use of those.
- Consider the stipend or the cost of the internship. Given that you are in high school, always try to value experience and learning over your stipend. Many opportunities are paid; however, let your academic and career goals be the sole deciding factors in choosing the internship.
How to find the right internship?
If you are now considering doing an internship as a high school student, you are already on the right path. Finding the right internship can be a process. Here’s how you can choose what’s right for you:
- Make a list of your interests. As a student, you may be interested in multiple fields, including music, art, cooking, writing, sports, accounting, coding, designing, and so on. It is normal to have multiple interests; just listing them down gives you an idea of where you want to go and actually practice your skills.
- Find local opportunities. It may be beneficial to step out of your house and be on the lookout for opportunities in your neighborhood. This can save you the cost of traveling to work. Most importantly, it gives you the chance to contribute to your local community.
- Adjust your interests. It may be difficult to find the exact opportunities for your interests. You may be more interested in painting, but there are more graphic design opportunities. Consider this a learning opportunity to expand your skill set. Be open to learning new skills, and align your interests with the current market. Every workplace has something to offer.
- Prepare your profile. Getting recruited as an intern is almost similar to getting recruited for a full-time permanent job. It involves building an attractive profile and representing yourself well. Craft your resume to show your best skills, certificates, awards, and recognitions. Interviews can be scary, but with practice, you can learn to communicate your interests and skills better. Emphasize your intent to join and how you can fit into the culture of the organization with your passion for learning.
A high school internship offers you the opportunity to succeed outside of the classroom and is a priceless long-term addition to your resume. It enables you to engage with the community and both contribute to and work with its reality on the ground. See how it transforms you by finding your next internship opportunity over the summer or spring break!
