The Ultimate Guide to High School Internships

Mar 30, 2024

John Doe

Introduction to High School Internships Do you want to secure an internship position at an elite company and earn money, gain real-world experience, and be able to jumpstart your work experience, all as a high school student?

Do you want your college applications to have something so cool and unique that nobody else can even compete, and earn lifelong connections and skills along the way?

In this guide, we will be teaching you how to do just that and more.

Let's go!

Tips to Get a High School Internship Building up your Resume One of the first things that companies look at when considering a novice high school student like yourself is your resume.

Companies need to know that despite being a high school student, you are well-versed and competent enough in the field as is to be a better hire than other more experienced professionals.

This is especially true if the company doesn't explicitly hire interns and YOU are the one reaching out to THEM, which will be most cases.

So how do you make your resume shine?

Well, here are some rudimentary tips that you should follow when constructing it: Contact Details: Provide your complete name, contact number (phone or email), and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).

A professional email address, such as firstname. lastname@email. com, is what you should use.

Summary or Goal: Concisely describe your professional objectives and what you can provide in a brief objective or summary statement.

Make sure this area is tailored to the particular internship you are applying for.

Learning: Name of high school, anticipated graduation date, and GPA (if high) should all be included.

Talk about any related coursework, awards, or accolades.

Skillset: List your abilities that are pertinent to the internship.

These might be soft skills like cooperation and communication or technical skills like programming languages and software expertise.

Regarding your skills, be truthful but avoid hyperbole.

Work Experience: List any relevant experiences you have had, even if they are not official jobs:pet sitting, freelancing, volunteering, or babysitting. leadership positions in groups, clubs, or academic initiatives.

Write about your duties and accomplishments using action verbs (such "organized," "collaborated," and "achieved").

Projects: Emphasize any academic or personal work that relates to the internship sector, such as science fair projects, art portfolios, or coding projects.

Describe your actions, the resources you employed, and the results.

Extracurricular Activities: Talk about any groups, sports, or other extracurricular pursuits you have.

Stress teamwork, leadership responsibilities, and any acquired applicable abilities.

Honors and Awards: List any extracurricular or academic honors you've been bestowed with, such as scholarships, honor rolls, or teacher or mentor recognition.

References: If possible, list mentors, supervisors, or instructors who can attest to your talents and character.

Before mentioning someone as a reference, you should always get their consent.

Formatting: Make sure your resume is readable and clear: Choose a formal typeface (such as Calibri or Arial).

For clarity, use bullet points.

Try to keep it to one page.

Check your work carefully for mistakes and typos.

Overall, the biggest piece of advice we can give you is to include the skills that you feel are the most relevant to the position that you are applying to, and to phrase your accomplishments in such as way with an active voice and sizable impact recorded as to really show to your hirer the extent of your experience.

Remember: Even after internship season is over, that doesn't mean you shouldn't continue to update your resume.

It is something that you should keep with you for the rest of your life and a rainy day.

Writing a Cold Email Now for the fun part.

You have to actually contact the company whom you want to work with!

This shouldn't just be one company, but a wide array of possibilities that have positions that you believe align with your career path (this is called career-mindedness).

Once you have the contact information of these institutes, you must send them an email in an extremely cordial and precise way as to engage with them formally and elegantly, seizing their attention.

Here's how to craft a perfect "cold email": Subject Heading: Start with an attention-grabbing subject line that is clear and succinct.

Example: "Internship Inquiry from High School Student Interested in [Specific Position]".

Introduction: Mention the email's goal, your name, and your grade.

You need to demonstrate sincere interest in the business as well in a brief statement of your admiration for their mission or body of work.

For instance: Subject: Student in High School Seeking Marketing InternshipDear [Name of Recipient],As a [Grade Level] student at [Your School], my name is [Your Name].

I'm writing to [Company Name] to show interest in the [Specific Position] internship.

I have been seeing the creative work that your organization is doing in [Industry/Field], and [particular project or accomplishment] has impressed me.

Value Proposition: Here, you need to highlight what YOU bring to the table for the given company.

This can be done with a brief background of your passions, interests, and accomplishments, and how to align with the company values.

Example: As a detail-oriented and creative student, I have experience in [relevant skills] through [mention any relevant projects, clubs, or coursework].

I am eager to contribute my passion for [specific aspect] to [Company Name].

Research and Personalization: Show that you’ve done your homework for the company: Mention a recent project, blog post, or company initiative that you found interesting.

This makes you seem informed, but must be done in a way that doesn't come off as pretentious.

Explain why you want to work specifically with them (if you don't, then come up with a compelling reason through your research)Example:I recently read your article on [specific topic] and was inspired by your approach.

Your commitment to [company value] resonates with my own goals.

I believe I can learn and thrive in your dynamic team.

Call to Action: Be clear about your intention: Request a brief meeting, phone call, or informational interview.

Make sure not to state YOUR availability but ask for THEIRSExample: I would love the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to [Company Name].

Could we schedule a 15-minute call next week?

I am available [specific days and times].

Professional Signature: End with a polite closing: Use a professional sign-off (e. g. , “Best regards,” “Sincerely”).

Include your full name, phone number, and email address.

Mention any last minute relevant thoughts as wellExample:Thank you for your time!

I look forward to hearing back from your shortly.

Sincerely,[Your Full Name] Now that you know how to write an email, let's talk about what to do if you get selected!

Note: Most companies will NOT respond to you, and it is up to you to not be discouraged and continually email dozens if not hundreds before you are finally successful.

Nail that Interview Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re a high school student stepping into the professional world.

But fear not!

With the right preparation and mindset, you can nail that interview and leave a lasting impression.

Let’s dive into the details.

1. Research the Company Before the interview, delve into the company’s background: Understand their mission, values, and recent achievements.

Explore their website, blog, and social media profiles.

Identify what sets them apart and how you align with their vision.

This part should be pretty simple considering that you already did this during the cold email phase, but still you should conduct further investigations to be prepared for anything and everything.

2. Know Your Resume Inside Out Expect questions related to your resume: Be ready to discuss your experiences, skills, and achievements.

Practice articulating your strengths and how they relate to the role.

Highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or extracurricular activities.

3. Dress the Part First impressions matter: Dress professionally, even if it’s a virtual interview.

Opt for business casual attire: a neat shirt, blazer, and well-groomed appearance.

Pay attention to details like clean shoes and minimal accessories.

4. Practice Common Interview Questions Anticipate what you might be asked: Why are you interested in this internship/job?

Tell me about a challenge you’ve overcome.

Describe a time you worked in a team.

Prepare concise, thoughtful responses.

5. Showcase Your Soft Skills High school students often underestimate their soft skills: Communication: Express yourself clearly and confidently.

Adaptability: Share instances where you adapted to change.

Problem-solving: Discuss how you tackled a difficult situation.

6. Behavioral Questions These questions reveal your character: Describe a time you demonstrated leadership.

How do you handle stress or pressure?

Talk about a mistake and what you learned.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

7. Ask Questions Interviews are a two-way street: Prepare thoughtful questions about the company, team, or role.

Show genuine interest in learning more.

Avoid asking about salary or benefits at this stage.

8. Body Language Matters Non-verbal cues speak volumes: Maintain eye contact.

Sit up straight.

Smile genuinely.

Avoid fidgeting or crossing your arms.

9. Practice, Practice, Practice Enlist a friend or family member: Conduct mock interviews.

Get feedback on your answers and body language.

Work on improving your confidence. 1

0. Follow Up After the interview: Send a thank-you email within 24 hours.

Express gratitude for the opportunity.

Reiterate your interest in the position.

Remember, interviews are chances to showcase your potential.

Be authentic, stay calm, and believe in yourself.

You’ve got this!

Takeaway: Using Internship Preparation Skills in Real Life As you prepare for this tough internship application process, remember that the skills you learned today

- resume building, cold emailing, and conducting interviews

- will go on to help you wayyyy past just this part of your life.

After college, after university, after even your first job, you will still be using all of these skills to constantly seek out new connections, land yourself new positions, and bridge the gap between you and the work you've always been so passionate about pursuing.

The time is now, the future is bright, and your life is in your hands.

Make the most of it while you can.

Conclusion: Next Step to Get your High School Internship If you are a STEM student who is serious about gaining both internship and research opportunities using the tips that we learned above, then check out this FREE guide below walking you through the process step-by-step: https://www. rishabacademy. com/guide.

Start your research journey today