A guide to finding an internship

A Guide A Guide to Finding to Finding an Internship an Internship

Niamh Marren

“It is really hard for me to find an internship that is offered to high school students and connects well with my future interests,” Sofie Hai, a junior, said.

This is one of the many common phrases said by students wanting to expand their extracurricular activities. High school students often find themselves having difficulty finding internships that connect with their professional career interests and are informative. As the accessibility for young students to pursue their own specialized interests grows, the importance and benefits of high school internships increases.

Internships are an excellent way for students to explore different careers. Students often decide whether or not they want to pursue a particular career based on their experiences with their internships.

Alec Perkins, a junior who works for Integrated Personalized Medicine, is exposed to many different career fields through his internship.

“The internship allows me to experience and work with a large variety of skills related to my career interests, and this exposure is the best method that I have found to narrow down what career path I want to follow in the future,” Perkins said.

Having some level of professional experience as a high school student can make one stand out when applying for colleges and gives multiple op-

portunities to experience learning from outside of school.

Sohie Pal, a junior, has been working for the Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program since the summer and has been able to conduct her own research with the help of other students and her advisor.

“I am able to learn and conduct high-level scientific research. I have been paired up with a Ph.D. student from Stanford University who helps me brainstorm ideas as well as overlooks my research. I also learn from my advisor, which is a huge benefit for me as it helps me learn far more complex topics that I might not have been able to learn through school,” Pal said.

Being exposed to an actual business environment and working with fellow interns at different professional levels helps students develop their professional aptitude and provides endless opportunities.

Nina Rasor, who has been working as the College and Career Assistant at Carlmont High School for six years, suggests internships as a learning opportunity for high school students.

“Having an opportunity to be involved in an internship not only teaches students about the specific career but also teaches responsibility. Students need to arrive at the internship ready to learn, ready to follow directions, and willing to be part of a team,” Rasor said.

Although internships are vital for learning new skills, high school students often find challenges when looking for them, especially amid a pandemic.

A quick web search can make the job of finding internships that connect with student’s career interests easier. The more time researching to find the best fit, the more benefit and learning experience one will get from their internship.

“Rather than just applying because of the name, spend time researching internships that align with what you want to do. A lot of times, smaller internships can be more beneficial due to the more personalized experience,” Pal said.

Often, calling local companies about available internships will allow students to introduce themselves and give them a chance for a professional experience.

“Students are encouraged to look for internships. That search can be done by calling local companies that have careers that interest you. Creating a short script before calling might just get you in the door,” Rasor said.

Rasor advises starting by introducing oneself as a Carlmont student and then informing the company that you are interested in an internship because you are curious about what the company offers. Take advantage of the classes you take through high school that might pertain to that specific field and include that in your call.

If finding an available internship online is difficult, there are many great resources at Carlmont. Many companies are in contact with Carlmont about available internships. Although limited due to COVID-19, many emails are sent to inform students about available internships.

Often, looking for internships during the summer is the most beneficial. Understanding the time commitment of internships can be challenging when one is busy focused on school and other activities. During the summer, one is not as overwhelmed, allowing for taking advantage of everything it has to offer.

“I recommend looking for internships right before summer so that if you get the internship you have the most amount of time to dedicate to learning through the internship. Capitalizing on the extra free time provides the best outcome,” Perkins said.

Although they may be hard to find, internships provide students with endless opportunities to grow and learn in a professional work environment. They also encourage students to pursue a particular career, making internships more beneficial. The only way to know if you will get an internship is to ask.

Art By Niamh Marren APRIL 2021 HIGHLANDER 31