A Guide to High School Student Internships
Internships for High School Students
Students and young professionals confront distinct obstacles and have unique opportunities in the current economic environment. Nothing is more crucial in a post-Covid employment market than practical experience. Technology proficiency and cultural sensitivity are equally crucial for job success as top businesses and organizations hire remote workers from all over the world. High school student internships provide a special chance for students to start building their professional experience early.
When students get hands-on training in any field, they gain the knowledge and experience they need to stand out when applying to colleges, jobs, or competitive gap year programs.
We provide both remote and on-site placements for dedicated, eager students. High school internships are a fantastic opportunity to focus academic interests and strengthen future applications, whether you want to experience international travel or the freedom of remote work.
How do internships work?
A brief job that introduces the intern to a particular profession is called an internship. Interns work for a business or organization to gain real-world experience in a particular industry. Internships can be part-time or full-time, last from a few weeks to a year, and be paid or unpaid.
An intern carries out tasks that are comparable to those of an entry-level worker. You might collaborate with clients, staff members, other interns, or a mix of these, and your supervisor will probably give you work assignments and support as you get used to your duties.
You have a good chance of going through an onboarding process that is the same as or somewhat similar to that of “normal” employees for the organization that hires you as an intern.
Benefits of Internships in High School
Internships are frequently linked to opportunities for college students. But they can also be fantastic for high school students!
AdmissionSight has listed the following advantages of finishing an internship in high school:
- You’ll gain knowledge about a career (or careers), which will help you make more certain future plans. You get real-world experience that may be useful to future employers, and you can use what you learn in classes and on the job in the future.
- Your personal and professional development will get off to a faster start if you can pinpoint your workplace strengths and shortcomings.
- An internship impresses not only prospective employers but also colleges and institutions.
- Networking with employers and leaders in your chosen sector of interest allows you to develop vital relationships that may ignite your career later. If it’s a paid internship, you’ll get compensated, which demonstrates your drive, commitment, and real interest in the topic. The check might be used as extra spending money or even as a college savings tool.
Are internships paid?
Not all internships are created equal. Internships, at the very least, allow you to investigate alternative career paths and gauge how you respond to various management philosophies. Now that you are familiar with high school student internships, let’s address the frequently asked question, “Are internships paid?”
Interns may or may not be compensated, depending on the position. Unpaid internships are frequent, particularly when they count toward your degree requirements. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, both the employer and the intern must expressly agree that the internship will not be compensated for it to qualify as unpaid. Additionally, there must be a distinct link between the intern’s educational plan and duties at work.
Nevertheless, a lot of firms do pay their interns. Some businesses understand the benefit of training individuals who might work for them when they graduate from college. Most Fortune 500 businesses pay interns, and private sector jobs also do. The following sectors offer paid internship opportunities for potential interns: banking, accountancy, advertising, public relations, IT, government, and fashion.
The hourly wage for paid interns in the United States is $12.88 on average, but salaries might vary by industry and location from $7.25 to $30.15.
Remote Internships
The world is changing, and it is certain that remote work will continue to exist as well as remote internships. Employers are seeking candidates with knowledge of this new method of working.
Keep in mind that jobs last 30 to 40 years, whereas degrees only last three to four years. Spending money to get experience working from home will help you get a job in the future.
The work experience offered by remote internships is identical to that of regular internships, except instead of taking place on-site, it takes place entirely online. Virtual internships have countless advantages. When you choose a virtual internship, you learn how to build discipline, operate independently, and become productive in all working contexts, in addition to gaining work experience while still in high school.
Summer internships for high school students
Although it is common for students to wait until they are in college to apply for internships, high school students, particularly graduating seniors, have a variety of possibilities to begin gaining experience in their desired fields right away.
Internships give students the chance to meet professionals in their field, get hands-on experience, and improve their professional skills before they go to college. Here are 11 fantastic summer internships for high school students in industries like business, the arts, and engineering.
1. Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute
Many high school students are interested in a summer internship with Google. While CSSI has a summer program at Google open to high school seniors beginning a four-year university degree, Google exclusively offers internship slots in a variety of sectors like business, engineering, and technology to undergraduate and graduate students.
Students must have a major in mind in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or a closely related field. Students will have the chance to engage with Google employees while at the program and learn more about computer science.
2. Microsoft Internship in High School
The high school internship program offered by Microsoft enables students to learn more about computer science and programming. For high school students interested in obtaining a degree in a STEM-related field, this summer internship is ideal since it has a strong emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).
Students have the chance to gain real-world experience by working on difficult but doable STEM projects.
3. The LAUNCH Program at Kaiser Permanente
High school students interested in careers in the healthcare industry can apply for eight-week paid internships through Kaiser Permanente.
For students who might not otherwise have access to the resources to pursue a profession in health, Kaiser specifically reserves slots. During the internship, students are compensated with a minimum wage while gaining practical experience.
4. The CARES Summer Program at Johns Hopkins
To encourage disadvantaged high school students to pursue careers in science, public health, and medicine, Johns Hopkins offers a range of summer programs. These programs concentrate on a range of health and STEM-related fields. Even though the CARES program has ended, Johns Hopkins still hosts a symposium for students who have taken part.
5. Summer Internship at the Central Intelligence Agency
Seniors in high school who intend to participate in a four- or five-year undergraduate program are eligible to apply to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for a summer undergraduate program internship. While working on projects related to their desired college degree, students gain knowledge about the field of intelligence.
6. NASA High School Internship
In order to participate in research or other experiential learning under the supervision of a mentor at a NASA site, Goddard Space Flight Center at NASA offers internships to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old.
Four schools in Maryland, Virginia, New York, and West Virginia host the internships. The internships offered by NASA are intended to pique students’ interest in STEM-related disciplines.
7. International Internships with The Intern Group
Students who are 18 years of age or older and desire to do an internship abroad in practically any field—from business, finance, and marketing to engineering, architecture, and law—can submit an application to The Intern Group.
Students can go to places in Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America, Africa, the United States, and Canada as part of these programs, which focus on cultural immersion and academic growth.
8. Summer internship at the Smithsonian
For high school students interested in careers in history, culture, art, design, technology, science, and nature, the Smithsonian provides a wide range of summer internships. The Smithsonian Institution’s museums offer a variety of chances for students to express themselves, develop their leadership and communication skills, and get ready for college and their future employment.
9. Junior Fisheries Biology Program at Hutton
This summer program for high school students interested in the fishing industry is sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, and it pairs chosen Hutton Scholars with a fisheries expert in their neighborhood.
Students get compensation throughout the internship while gaining practical experience in freshwater and/or marine fisheries science.
10. High School Summer Internship at The Met
For rising juniors and seniors who either reside in or attend high school or home school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, the Metropolitan Museum of Art offers paid summer internship opportunities. Students get the opportunity to network with experts in the artistic, museum-related, and other creative industries during this program.
Students receive a stipend while building their networks and developing their professional abilities.
11. Geosciences Bridge Initiative
For high school graduates who want to work in geosciences, the Geosciences Bridge Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) offers a six-week paid internship. Students can earn credit for two college courses while participating in lectures, practical exercises, and field trips through the program.
Through summer internships, high school students can study, gain experience, and network while working on their resumes. Remember that the ideal internship for you will match your interests, hobbies, and long-term career goals.
Additionally, AdmissionSight can help you weigh your alternatives and choose the program that will best serve your academic objectives. To learn more, feel free to get in touch with AdmissionSight.
