High school students are usually focused on sports, studying, and
spending time with friends. They often do not think of obtaining summer
work experience within their desired career field. This is a mistake,
because summer internships can give a high school student an advantage
later in life.
The benefits of summer internships are many and
this structured opportunity to explore different careers can be
priceless. Students can intern in areas that correspond with their
academic and personal interests. They will learn how to communicate on a
professional level, something that they are not exposed to in most high
school environments. They will also learn how to work on a team, while
at the same time having individual responsibilities. This builds
interpersonal skills and a sense of accountability, two things necessary
to succeed in life.
During the experience, the student will
sometimes network and build contacts within the industry. They may also
engage in a mentor relationship with a senior level employee. This
allows them to learn from someone who is successful in the business, so
they can see what it takes to achieve this status. Some of the lessons
learned during this type of work experience are intangible, but they are
no less important.
Internship work experience provides a high
school student with the opportunity to gain skills relevant to the job
and industry within which he or she wants to work in later years.
Finding summer internships is not difficult, requiring only that
students make inquiries in the high school guidance office, local
government facilities, and companies within the area. Many employers
would love the chance to show an intelligent young person the ropes
within their operations.
Not all of the positions will be paid
summer internships, but these do exist. Some larger companies and
government agencies will pay minimum wage or a bit more to high
schoolers who work for them over the summer. Unpaid opportunities are
often more common, especially at the high school level. Though some of
these jobs entail administrative work, they also provide the student
with an opportunity to view a typical day in the workplace.
Starting
summer internship while in high school will provide the student with
an opportunity to explore several different career options. After doing
this for a few summers, the student may discover a dream career. The
work experience will look good on the students resume and the additional
interpersonal and teamwork skills can help in other aspects of the
student's life, including school.
