You’ve probably heard about college students getting internships, but did you know that high school students can too? Internships provide you with exposure to a field of work, and give you access to people who want to help teach you. Jobs do both of these things too, obviously, but high schoolers typically can’t access a job where they will spend significant amounts of time, learning from and shadowing alongside experienced people in a field you may be interested in studying in college or pursuing professionally. This is what internships can provide, and this is why we encourage them.
In an internship, you’ll gain awareness of a field, and it can help you dial in what you study in college. It also looks good on your application because it shows colleges a range of traits, like curiosity and perseverance, that are not fully articulated simply by showing up to class and earning a great grade (which you do already, obviously).
We encourage all of our students to have at least one internship before graduation. This is how to get one.
If you’re unsure of how to stand out on your applications, send us an email. We’re experts at amplifying amazing students to gain outstanding successes.
Step One: Pick a Field
First, you need to decide on a field that you are interested in learning more about. This should be as specific as possible because it will be crucial to know what you want before going back to step two. For example, if you are interested in going into music event production, you may want to intern with a company that specializes in putting on and promoting concerts, or at a local music venue. If marketing is interesting to you, you may want to intern with a marketing firm, or within the marketing department of a larger company.
Step Two: Find a Company
Once you know what you are looking for, you need to find a ‘perfect fit’ company. There are three ways to find an internship that we have found result in the best outcomes. The first and best option is to find an internship through a family or friend connection. This obviously doesn’t work for everyone, but if it is an option for you don’t take it as a given. Your family doesn’t owe you an internship, and neither do family friends, so you need to approach this as a professional opportunity.
If a family or friend connection isn’t an option, you should pursue an internship through your school. There may not be a person at your school specifically assigned to help with this, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t teachers or administrators who want to help you! This is one of many reasons to build strong professional relationships with the adults at school.
And if the school isn’t an option either, there’s the solid fallback of thoughtful and strategic direct email outreach. We call this a “fallback,” but it isn’t really. This is how most people find jobs, and it’s also a great way to find an internship.
Step Three: Set Internship Parameters
After a company has agreed to take you on as an intern, you need to be certain to set parameters. This will help you succeed, so it is really important. Before your first day of work, you need to know what the length of the internship will be, what your goals are, and what their expectations of you are. You should also articulate what your expectations of them are. Make it clear what you want out of the internship. Saying you’re “up for anything,” isn’t actually helpful, as it doesn’t give your supervisor or mentor parameters. A lack of parameters is a recipe for friction, so being clear upfront is immensely important.
Step Four: Succeed
The final step should be obvious: you will succeed. Show up on time. Communicate professionally. Ask questions. Listen carefully. You will find success through clearly articulating, respectfully communicating, and doing your best.
Internships are an opportunity to learn more about a field, and confirm what you want to study in college. It’s an amplifier on your resume and will provide direction for what comes next for you in school and out!
If you’re preparing to apply to college, send us an email. We’re really good at this, and have the stats to prove it.