The Rise of High School Internships: What to Expect in 2023

Want to take a high school internship? Here’s everything you need to know!

High school internships are a great opportunity for young adults to get to learn more as students. Aside from learning about school subjects like history, science, and English, you’ll also get to learn more about the world beyond school. An internship can help you discover what it’s like to work, how to connect with others, and what career you might want to pursue.

Why take a high school internship

Taking a high school internship can feel intimidating, but it’s honestly a great learning experience.

Not only will you be able to take a firsthand look into the industry that you’re interested in working in, but you’ll also be able to participate in a lot of hands-on activities, too! Pursuing a high school internship can also help you create connections that will last further on into your career – even if you might end up pursuing something different. Of course, you’ll also be able to improve your credentials, which is a major plus if you’re planning on applying to universities and colleges. High school internships are a way to show recruiters that you can balance your duties and are eager to learn.

Not only are high school internships a way to learn, connect, and eventually flex, but they’re also a great way to personally improve your skills. You can learn a great deal about everything from communication and computer skills, to marketing strategies and sales principles, depending on what kind of internship you choose to take. You’re also bound to learn more about yourself, what you’re capable of, and what you want to do!

Different kinds of internships

A common concern about taking up a high school internship is the kinds of internships that are available. Some students worry about internships being too time-consuming, too far away, or completely uninteresting!

Luckily, most high school internships are now more accessible: a lot of them are remote, meaning that you can work from home (or anywhere, really). It all depends on how you find those high school internship opportunities! Working in the right industry and in the right company can open doors of opportunities for you, and at a doable pace as well.

Some of the most common industries that high school internships take place in are in business development, entrepreneurship, marketing, and information technology! There are even quite a few in graphic design and in non-profit organizations. Some companies will help you find the perfect high school internship, too – so make sure to enlist their help if you’re eager to find THE best fit for you.

Here are some other ways you can prep for a high school internship:

Make your CV shine

If you’re prepping for an internship, then it’s likely that you’ve been thinking about your resumé. You’re also probably wondering what the difference is between a CV and a resumé.

A CV, or a curriculum vitae, is a document that runs down your academic credentials and achievements. The length would depend on what kind of academic and extracurricular activities you’ve participated in, as well as how long you’ve been in school (for post-graduate students, particularly). A resumé lists down your relevant work experience, as well as what skills and strengths you have that are relevant to the job. So as a high school student, you’ll likely submit a CV rather than a resumé.

One way to make your CV shine is by being descriptive but succinct about your accomplishments, as well as why you feel like you’re fit for the position. You should also share what you want to learn, what you’re willing to do, and how mutually beneficial it would be for you and the company to work together.

A standout CV would have a summary of your academic performance, why you’re interested in the field of work, and what you can contribute to the company.

Stand out in an interview

Of course, interviews are equally (if not more) important than your credentials. It’s important for the people in the company to get a grasp of your personality, skills, and what you’re like as a person and team member!

Going into an interview, you can expect questions about why you want to take the internship, what you want to do next, and what you can bring to the table. You’ll likely also be asked what your expectations are and what you hope to accomplish! To be able to best answer these questions, you should do some research about the company, and set some expectations for yourself. Are you hoping to learn certain softwares or programs? Is there a specific area in the company that you want to help out more in?

Also think about the company’s values, mission, and vision, and if you align with it. Think about if it’s somewhere you might see yourself working, or if there’s something specific that they can teach you, too!

Staying balanced during your high school internship

After securing your internship, you also face the challenge of making sure that you’re able to balance everything! After all, you wouldn’t want to overwhelm yourself with too much work or find yourself intimidated by a completely new environment. Finding the balance is key, so make sure you find out what type of setup works best for you, and what makes you feel most comfortable and productive.

Make sure to check out these tips to help you manage it all!