High School Students Gain Valuable Work And Life Experience From Doing Internships
By Matt Swain, Stride Career Prep
Maybe you’re thinking about the future right now. Maybe you aren’t sure where to even start, as you attempt to contemplate the future. Or, maybe you’ve been dreaming about life after high school, and you’re someone who already knows want they want to do for a career and/or which college they’d like to attend. No matter which scenario above happens to fit where you are in your high school (and career learning) trajectory, it’s not too early… or too late… to consider doing an internship.
Interning in high school can help you become better prepared for life after graduation.
Enrollment Is Open!
But wait, isn’t an internship where you are just someone’s assistant, or a gig where you get coffee all day for the office?
In a word… no.
“An internship has helped me learn specific skills in a particular field, and gain knowledge on how a successful company runs. Also, an internship has allowed me to gain corporate experience.”
—Daysha, 2021 Marketing Intern at Stride, Inc.
An internship is all about helping you, as a high school student, become better prepared for life after graduation… whether you plan to immediately pursue a career or enter college. Internships help students by teaching real-world skills and by providing professional work experiences. The information, education, and networking opportunities that internships provide is valuable at any point in your educational path.
But wait, what’s really in it for me?
Great question! So, let’s break it down. You can…
· Gain real world skills and professional experiences for your resume
· Explore career options and better learn what you like and don’t like
· Discover, learn, and grow your personal strengths and interests
· Meet, learn from, and network with working professionals, as you learn about working in a team environment
· Learn new technologies, complete projects, and make an impact in real organizations
What types of internships can I get, as a high school student?
Internships can be paid or unpaid, and they can be on-site, virtual (remote), or a mix of both (hybrid).
“An internship has helped me by giving me a glimpse into the workforce and working on skills that I can use for a lifetime.”
—Sandra, 2021 Marketing Intern at a Stride K12-powered school in PA
Where do I start looking for internships, as a high school student?
There are lots of potentials! You can ask coaches, utilize an internship search tool, view student handbooks, ask your parents, and even network within your local community.
Hear from one of our student interns----Daysha’s Video (Daysha Ross candidly shares her experiences as a remote Marketing Intern at Stride).
When it comes to deciding whether to take any internship position, paid or unpaid, students and graduates will want to weigh all of the pros and cons of each individual opportunity that is offered to them. Taking a high-level view of the entirety of an internship role is the best way to determine if it is the optimal fit for you and your career path. Finding the right internship is just as important as the opportunity to complete one and gain beneficial working skills.
Check out the latest tips on Balancing Work And High School, from a Stride Career Prep Success Coach!
To read a Stride Student Advisor’s perspective on preventing burnout, be sure to visit the article: Knowing When To Take A Break From Schoolwork.
Plus, if you are looking for an internship right now, be sure to check out Stride's Internship Search Tool: https://www.stridelearning.com/career-prep/internships.html
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