Let’s face it: while in-school learning can be useful, not to mention mandatory, nothing compares to the experience of working at an internship and gaining firsthand experience in a career or field. In addition to looking good on college applications and taking a work resume from “meh” to amazing, internships also provide a tremendous opportunity for students to explore jobs and build up the skills they will need for their futures after college. With competition from college students and individuals in the early stages of their careers, finding an internship in high school may seem overwhelming. But by staying attentive and proactive, any student can find an opportunity for an internship.
First things first: before sending off any emails or typing a resume, identify the field of choice by brainstorming intriguing jobs, advises Forbes. Does engineering sound like an appealing career field? What about working for a nonprofit? Maybe after taking a couple of interior design classes, the job looks interesting, or perhaps an after-school job at a restaurant has stoked an interest in the industry. Consider any connections currently available that may enable easier entry to an internship.
After this, peruse local job listings online. Sites like Indeed and LinkedIn provide access to job listings, and allow an easy resume upload which companies can view virtually. In addition, students can easily filter job searches by several categories, including location, company, experience level, and salary estimate. Don’t expect a high pay per hour, however. Though the average hourly wage for a paid intern stands at $13.78, according to Indeed, most internships pay either close to minimum wage or nothing, especially for high schoolers, but don’t get discouraged. At this stage in life, gaining experience trumps gaining money.
As the adage goes, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” In other words, apply to multiple internships. Use this article to craft a clean and comprehensive resume complete with skills, previous job experience, or even leadership positions in school or extracurriculars, and make sure to have a trusted adult look it over and check for mistakes. Make sure to list an easy-to-access email on applications in order to answer any emails about interviews promptly. Consider creating a new, professional email specifically for job-hunting. If employers call about an interview, respond politely, set a date, and show up on time, dressed to impress. When it comes to job interviews, first impressions matter.
Some internships may not show up online--utilize any contacts to check with local businesses about a potential internship. Make use of AFHS’s student services, as counselors will often know about opportunities for students and can help connect students to employers. Students can even book an appointment with Mrs. Tomey, the Career and Technical Education counselor, to discuss career planning. The search for an internship may prove difficult, but the end results will help throughout high school and beyond, as students take the first steps in building a career.
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