Here is how to get an internship in high school, You don’t need to be a college student to land an internship. In fact, you don’t even need to be old enough to drive or drink yet.
If you’re still in high school and have your sights set on working in a specific industry one day, now is the perfect time to start building up your resume and networking contacts.
Whether you’re hoping to follow your current passions or have no idea what you want to do after high school, getting an internship as soon as possible can open up a lot of doors for you down the road. But how? You may not be acutely aware of it but there are probably hundreds of internships available at any given time.
As such, it might seem like the logical first step would be to lock down that first gig. However, if you’re still in high school (and most likely under 18), getting that first internship might prove more challenging than you expect here is how to get an internship in high school
>> See This: How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship in 3 Simple Steps
How To Get an Internship in High School
While you may not yet be old enough to earn money on the job, there are still plenty of ways to gain valuable experience. In these cases, companies will provide you with a letter of recommendation, observation hours, and/or course credit.
Ways You Can Gain Valuable Working Experience
Shadowing – This is when you observe a specific occupation or one of your choosing. It can be done on- or off-site, and it’s a great way to build connections and receive a letter of recommendation from someone who works in your desired field.
Working as a volunteer – Volunteering is also a great way to gain experience and make connections. In addition to providing you with a good letter of recommendation, volunteering can also help build your resume by adding new skills under your belt.
Working as an intern – While you might think that you need to be working for an established business to be considered an intern, that’s not the case. If a professor is conducting research and needs help with data collection, you could be considered an intern.
Tips On How To Get an Internship in High School
Know What You’re Looking For
Before you start applying for any and all jobs, make sure you know exactly what you want to get out of an internship.
Are you hoping to get some real-world experience in your major? Or do you just want to build up your resume and gain a little experience in a new field? Knowing what you want out of the experience will help you better target your search and give you a better idea of what to include in your resume.
Check out paid internships
Paid internships are fantastic, but they aren’t easy to come by. Generally, you’re considered an unpaid intern if you’re still in high school and/or a college student.
If you’re in high school, though, you might have to look a little harder to find paid opportunities since most require at least a part-time commitment. If you can’t find paid or unpaid opportunities in your desired field, though, don’t give up.
Use your alumni network
Alumni networks are like gold, and you can use yours to your advantage as you search for an internship. Many times, alumni can use their connections to find work for younger individuals.
If you’re hoping to find a paid opportunity, you may want to consider contacting your school’s career center to see if they have any partnerships with local businesses.
Ask Around
Get in the habit of talking to everyone, and you never know what doors might open for you. Approach your parents’ co-workers, friends of your parents, and even friends’ parents.
You might find someone willing to hook you up with a great opportunity.
Network like crazy
Not only is networking like crazy a great way to find an internship, but it’s also a great way to meet new people and figure out what you want to do with your life. While you don’t want to exclusively rely on networking to find an internship, it is a good place to start.
Start by finding out what career fields are popular in your area. Then, find people in those fields and see if they know of any available opportunities that fit your skill set.
Check out your school’s job board
Chances are, your school has a job board or website where students and alumni can post their internships. Take the time to search for local opportunities and you may even be able to connect with a professor in your field.
Get certified (and learn something along the way)
If you don’t have a lot of work experience, you might want to consider getting certified in something. This can be a great way to build up your resume and gain valuable experience and connections.
Conclusion On How To Get an Internship in High School
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to find an internship while you’re still in high school. However, getting that first internship might prove challenging since most companies prefer to hire those who are at least 18 years old.
If you want to start building connections, making connections, and gaining the experience needed to succeed in your desired field, you’ll need to start early.
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