How to Get an Internship in High School: Tips from a Student Who Did it

How to Write a Stand Out Cover Letter for Grad School

Here is how to get an internship in high school; you don’t need to be a college student to land an internship. You don’t 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 many doors for you down the road. But how? You may not know it, but hundreds of internships are probably available anytime.

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 ThisHow to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship in 3 Simple Steps

How To Get an Internship in High School

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

Below are some of the ways you can gain valuable working experience.

1. Shadowing 

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.

2. 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.

3. Working as an intern –

While you might think you need to work 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.

Read More: Top 5 Tips to Land an Internship as a Business Major

Tips On How To Get an Internship in High School

how to get an internship in high school

1. Know What You’re Looking for

Before you start applying for any jobs, make sure you know exactly what you want to get from an internship.

Are you hoping to get some real-world experience in your major? Or do you want to build up your resume and gain experience in a new field? Knowing what you want from the experience will help you better target your search and give you a better idea of what to include in your resume.

2. 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, you might have to look harder to find paid opportunities since most require at least a part-time commitment. Don’t give up if you can’t find paid or unpaid opportunities in your desired field.

3. Use your Alumni Network.

Alumni networks are like gold; you can use yours to your advantage while searching for an internship. Often, 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.

4. Ask Around

Get into the habit of talking to everyone; 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.

Read Also: Applying for An Internship in the UK as an International Student 

5. 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 rely exclusively 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 any available opportunities that fit your skill set.

6. 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.

7. Get Certified (and learn something along the way)

You might want to consider getting certified if you don’t have much work experience. This can be a great way to build 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 still in high school. However, getting that first internship might prove challenging since most companies prefer to hire those over 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.

Related Also: The Pros and Cons of Internships: is it Worth it?

FAQ

How to Get an Internship in High School

High school students can frequently find internship opportunities in your neighborhood companies and services. You must attend in person because not all businesses will advertise internship opportunities on online employment boards.

How to get an internship easily?

How to Get an Internship – The Basics.
1 – Create a Convincing Resume (0 Experience Needed)
2 – Convince the HR Manager with a Cover Letter.
3 – Find the Right Internship Opportunities [3 Main Ways]
4 – Ace the Upcoming Interview.
Key Takeaways.

How qualified do you have to be for an internship?

Depending on the organization and industry, different internship requirements apply. However, each intern must include a strong resume, academic records, letters of recommendation, and application. Employers could have extra specifications, such as a particular major or writing examples.

How do you ask a company for an internship?

Be Upfront and Direct in Your Request
Declare that you are interested in applying for an internship for a specific period
, inquire about the procedure, and briefly share relevant experience. You can even briefly highlight a relationship you have if they happen to be a firm employee.

Are internships worth it?

Most respondents claimed their internships provided practical work experience, saying they involved far more than buying coffee and making copies. A person with this relevant experience is far more likely to get full-time employment later because employers frequently reject applicants due to a lack of experience.

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