The Ultimate Guide to High School Internships

Introduction to high school internships

Want to land an internship at a great company, earn money, gain real-world experience, and jumpstart your career, all as a high school student? Want your college applications to stand out, and to build lifelong connections and skills along the way?

This guide shows you how to do exactly that. Let’s go.

Tips to get a high school internship

Building up your resume

One of the first things companies look at is your resume. They need to see that, even as a high school student, you’re competent enough in the field to be worth hiring.

This matters even more when the company doesn’t normally hire interns and you’re the one reaching out to them, which will be most cases.

So how do you make your resume shine? Here are the basics to follow:

1. Contact details: include your full name, a contact number or email, and your LinkedIn profile if you have one. Use a professional email address, such as firstname.lastname@email.com.
2. Summary or goal: concisely describe your objectives and what you offer in a brief statement, tailored to the specific internship you’re applying for.
3. Education: include your high school, anticipated graduation date, and GPA (if it’s high), plus any relevant coursework, awards, or honors.
4. Skills: list abilities relevant to the internship, whether soft skills like communication and collaboration or technical skills like programming languages and software. Be truthful and avoid hyperbole.
5. Work experience: list any relevant experience, even if it isn’t an official job (pet sitting, freelancing, volunteering, babysitting, or leadership roles in clubs and projects). Describe your duties and accomplishments using action verbs like “organized,” “collaborated,” and “achieved.”
6. Projects: highlight academic or personal work related to the internship, such as science fair projects, art portfolios, or coding projects. Describe what you did, the tools you used, and the results.
7. Extracurricular activities: mention clubs, sports, or other activities, emphasizing teamwork, leadership, and any skills you gained.
8. Honors and awards: list academic or extracurricular honors, such as scholarships, honor rolls, or recognition from a teacher or mentor.
9. References: if possible, list mentors, supervisors, or instructors who can speak to your abilities and character. Always get their consent first.
10. Formatting: keep your resume clean and readable.

• Choose a professional typeface (such as Calibri or Arial).
• Use bullet points for clarity.
• Try to keep it to one page.
• Proofread carefully for mistakes and typos.

The biggest piece of advice: include the skills most relevant to the position, and phrase your accomplishments in an active voice with clear impact, so your hirer can see the extent of your experience.

Remember: even after internship season ends, keep updating your resume. It’s something you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life.

Writing a cold email

Now for the fun part: actually contacting the companies you want to work with. Reach out to many possibilities with roles that align with your career path, not just one.

Once you have their contact information, send a cordial, precise email that engages them formally and grabs their attention. Here’s how to craft a “cold email”:

• Subject line: clear and succinct. Example: “Internship Inquiry from High School Student Interested in [Specific Position].”
• Introduction: state your name, your grade, and the email’s goal, plus a brief, sincere note on what you admire about their work.
  For example:
  Subject: High School Student Seeking Marketing Internship
  
  Dear [Name of Recipient],
  
  My name is [Your Name], and I’m a [grade level] student at [Your School]. I’m writing to express interest in the [Specific Position] internship at [Company Name]. I’ve followed the creative work your organization is doing in [industry/field], and [particular project or accomplishment] really impressed me.
• Value proposition: highlight what you bring to the table, with a brief background of your interests, accomplishments, and how they align with the company’s values.
  Example:
  As a detail-oriented and creative student, I have experience in [relevant skills] through [relevant projects, clubs, or coursework]. I’m eager to contribute my passion for [specific aspect] to [Company Name].
• Research and personalization: show you’ve done your homework. Mention a recent project, blog post, or initiative you found interesting, in a way that’s informed without sounding pretentious. Explain why you want to work with them specifically.
  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, and I believe I can learn and thrive in your team.
• Call to action: be clear about your intention. Request a brief meeting, call, or informational interview, and ask for their availability rather than stating yours.
  Example: I’d love the chance to discuss how I could contribute to [Company Name]. Could we schedule a 15-minute call? Let me know what times work best for you.
• Professional signature: end with a polite sign-off (e.g., “Best regards,” “Sincerely”), and include your full name, phone number, and email.
  Example:
  Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing back from you.
  
  Sincerely,
  [Your Full Name]

Now you know how to write the email. Note: most companies will not respond, so don’t get discouraged. Be ready to email dozens, if not hundreds, before you succeed.

Nail that interview

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re a high school student stepping into the professional world. But with the right preparation and mindset, you can nail it and leave a lasting impression. Here’s how.

1. Research the company

Before the interview, dig into the company’s background:

• Understand their mission, values, and recent achievements.
• Explore their website, blog, and social media.
• Identify what sets them apart and how you align with it.

This should be easy since you already did it during the cold email phase, but dig a little further to be ready for anything.

2. Know your resume inside out

Expect questions about your resume:

• Be ready to discuss your experiences, skills, and achievements.
• Practice articulating your strengths and how they relate to the role.
• Highlight relevant coursework, projects, or extracurriculars.

3. Dress the part

First impressions matter:

• Dress professionally, even for a virtual interview.
• Opt for business casual: 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?
• 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 times you adapted to change.
• Problem-solving: discuss how you tackled a difficult situation.

6. Behavioral questions

These 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 to:

• Conduct mock interviews.
• Give feedback on your answers and body language.
• Help you build confidence.

10. Follow up

After the interview:

• Send a thank-you email within 24 hours.
• Express gratitude for the opportunity.
• Reiterate your interest in the position.

Interviews are a chance to show your potential. Be authentic, stay calm, and believe in yourself. You’ve got this.

Takeaway: using these skills in real life

As you work through this tough application process, remember that the skills you’re building, resume writing, cold emailing, and interviewing, will help you well past this stage of your life.

After college, after your first job, and beyond, you’ll keep using these skills to seek out new connections, land new positions, and bridge the gap between you and the work you’re passionate about.

The time is now, and your future is in your hands. Make the most of it.

Conclusion: your next step

If you’re a STEM student serious about gaining internship and research opportunities using the tips above, check out this free guide that walks you through the process step by step:

rishabacademy.com/guide