With thousands of students vying for limited spots at top universities, it is easy to sink beneath a sea of perfect academic records and extensive lists of extracurriculars. One way to stand out is by securing an internship. Internships, offering opportunities to build real-world experience, are a stepping stone for developing skills that will prove valuable throughout college and your future career. Competitive colleges notice students who demonstrate initiative, leadership, and a genuine passion for learning beyond the classroom; interning shows college admissions committees just that.
For example, if you are interested in a career in medicine, an internship at a local hospital or clinic can provide a glimpse into the day-to-day responsibilities of healthcare professionals. As an intern, your experiences can help clarify if this is the best path for you and show colleges that you are serious about your career aspirations.
These may include soft skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, time management, and organization. As an intern, you may also heighten your ability to work independently, collaborate with a team, and manage multiple tasks. Widening your skill set will help you stand out in your academic and future professional career.
College admissions boards look favorably upon students who have established relationships with mentors, whether professors, professionals in the workforce, or even previous internship supervisors. These connections can lead to unique opportunities and valuable letters of recommendation.
An internship with deliverables is one where you are actively contributing to the organization’s goals, typically by completing projects or tasks that have measurable results. This type of internship requires hands-on work to deliver specific results–such as drafting a report, designing a presentation, creating marketing materials, or helping with product development.
Internships with deliverables stand out on a college application because they demonstrate initiative, responsibility, and the ability to apply your knowledge in a real-world context. To illustrate, if you’re interning with a non-profit and you help create a new fundraising campaign, that is a deliverable. On your resume, you can explain the unique role you played, the goals you accomplished, and the ways you meaningfully contributed to the organization.
Conversely, shadowing internships are more observational and focus more on passive learning. In this type of internship, you may follow a professional as they complete their typical daily tasks, gaining insight into their career and observing the internal processes of a particular field. While shadowing still offers valuable exposure and learning opportunities, securing an internship where you are directly contributing to the organization's success is likely to be more impressive.
In addition to making you more competitive for college admissions, internships offer long-term career benefits. For one, they provide valuable experience that can make you more marketable after graduation. Many companies prefer candidates who have interned in their field because it shows they have hands-on experience and understand the realities of the workplace.
Moreover, internships can give you a clearer idea of what career you wish to pursue. If you intern at a law firm but realize that the work isn’t as exciting as you thought, it could save you time and money in the long run, allowing you to pivot to a different path early on. Conversely, an internship might spark a passion for a career you never considered, opening up new opportunities and directions for your future.
Many small companies and local organizations are open to having high school interns, even if they don’t have existing formal internship programs. A polite inquiry or direct application showing your interest in gaining experience can often lead to an opportunity.
Several websites cater specifically to high school students looking for internships, including platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. These platforms list internship opportunities across various industries and locations.
Many high schools have guidance counselors or career centers that can help connect students with internships. Additionally, some schools host career fairs where local employers and organizations look for interns.
Securing an internship as a high school student has far-reaching benefits, from making your college application stand out to providing you with valuable career insights and skills. Whether you intern in a hands-on role with deliverables or a shadowing capacity, these experiences will shape your personal and professional growth. So, start exploring internship opportunities today—your future self will thank you!
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