Seeking an internship as a recent graduate is a great idea for many people. This translates to attaining hands-on experience in a field they are interested in. Keep reading to find out how you can get an after-school internship or a summer internship while you are still attending high school.
What Are the Benefits Of Interning?
Certain internships are unpaid, while others involve pay. However, most people explore an internship for far more reasons than financial. For instance, taking an internship can do the following:
- Inspire your career
- Give you first-hand experience in the working world
- Help you learn vital skills such as organization, computer skills and time management
- Connect you with mentors and experienced professionals
- Create networking opportunities
- Help you decide on your major
How to Begin Your Internship
Use the resources you have available and put some thought into what you are interested in. Speak with those in the fields you wish to explore and look for a related internship.
Identify Your Goals
Think about what you want to focus on and learn about. This will help guide you to discover the best internship to suit your needs. What skills do you want to explore? Are you interested in what a teacher does all day, or do you want to learn more about scientific research? Are you interested in web design and marketing? Perhaps, you love photography? The possibilities for your internship are endless. Maintaining clear goals will help you narrow down your choices and get excited about different options.
Utilize Additional Resources
Which local resources will supply you with the most information? Which personal contacts will help you discover more opportunities? The following list offers some great ideas to explore:
- Contact your sports coaches and club presidents.
- Ask your teachers, parents, or high school counselor.
- Do you have any friends or family that work in a field that interests you?
- Check the library and the internet for internship guidebooks.
- Is there a specific organization associated with your field of interest? Reach out to them and see if they have a contact you can talk to.
Internet Online Research
After you have some specific goals in mind, you can start looking for an internship. Begin by searching for local organizations and businesses in your interest areas to inquire if they provide internship opportunities. Next, you could use a website that is specifically designed for students to find jobs like BarefootStudent.com. The more information you can gain by talking to people in your fields of interest, the more options you may discover.
