STEM-ing Into Opportunities Students discuss summer internship programs

By Lynnsy Ang

Internships in various subjects, locations, and competitiveness are limitless in the cuttingedge, innovative, and radical research hub of the East Bay. However, at AHS, the internship culture is unbeknownst to most.

Health and Medicine elective teacher Selina Mandel has affiliations with several organizations that host internships offered to high school students. Mandel helps to match students to these internships based on the unique criteria of each one.

“I look for specific things and certain characteristics that they’re asking for, and pass the information on to students that might fit with that one.” Mandel said.

The criteria include technicalities such as GPA, prior experience, and age. But when helping in the process to match students, Mandel takes into consideration which students and hosts will most benefit from the experience.

In the sea of internships, a large number have recently been targeted toward a set of students labeled “underrepresented groups”. First-generation and low-income students, as well as students from racial minority groups are classified as underrepresented.

A large majority of AHS students identify with at least one of these categories. According to US News & World Report, 91.3% of students enrolled are considered a racial minority and 47% classify as economically disadvantaged.

AHS is understaffed and underfunded compared to most schools, with limited available classes and electives. The school ranks #464 in California High Schools.

Like Mandel, college and career specialist Cece Adams helps students get internships through the district. Adams adds to the topic of underrepresented groups by saying, “[Internship organizers] know these students are marginalized and don’t have opportunities like someone who has resources. So giving that opportunity allows them to have equitable opportunities that maybe they wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

Students who come from low-income families are typically not as inclined to invest their time and resources in sending their children to these programs. In some cases, students from these families work to help their family’s financial situation or take care of their siblings while their parents are at work.

“But if there is a program that offers a stipend,” Mandel adds, “That’s more enticing for students who wouldn’t normally take that challenge.”

There are several benefits to participating in internships, not just through the content discussed and learned, but the soft and hard skills gained in the unique environment.

“If they take on this opportunity, they’ve just opened the door to more networking. Now they know more people, now they know more resources. Plus they gain professional work experience, which will benefit them in any career path they choose,” Mandel said.

Adams speaks to the benefits too. “If you are going to apply to UCs or CSUs, you can use [these experiences] in your PIQs and common app personal statements. And it’s good for your career because you can add them to your resume, in terms of career skills.”

Internships are incredibly beneficial and advantageous to students who are striving for a college education after high school. However, they have a history of being reserved for privileged students from wealthier, more educated backgrounds. Here are two examples of AHS students who, as a member of a marginalized group, overcame those stereotypes and entered this world of internships.