What Is an Internship? A High School Student’s Guide to Gaining Real-World Experience Before College

My two internships sucked.

Don’t get me wrong, they were with great company, but they left me with nothing after I was done.  No skills, no connections, no potential job.  One was at NY1 News, and the other was at a place called Madison Square Garden for The New York Knicks.  Both great organizations, but the internship programs left a lot to be desired.

I’m also to blame, because I didn’t really go out of my way to make anything happen.  My two internships were in college, so I was just following the path that was laid out for me.

“It’s time to get credits for internships Joe, so go find one,” was basically what I was told and what I did.  I did enough to pass both times but that was it.

I give you that story as an example of what not to do, but if you’re reading this article you’re already on the right path; thinking about an internship in high school is putting you ahead of the crowd.

What You’ll Learn After Reading This Article:

1.       Why internships matter for High School students?

2.       What to expect from an internship

3.       How to find a high school internship

Preparing for an internship in high school will put you on the path to having an easier time deciding on whether or not to go to college and choosing your career.

 Why Internships Matter for High School Students

Depending on your age and what state you live in when you’re a Junior or Senior in high school, internships will tell you a lot about yourself.

In most cases, you won’t have to do an internship in high school.  It’s not a requirement and they could be difficult to find because of your age.  Regardless of the restrictions you might face, they matter in high school for a few reasons:

1.       You’ll have a better understanding of what you want to do in college and save yourself a lot of time and money.

2.       Since they aren’t required in high school, you’ll get more out of them because it’ll be something you want to do.

3.       You’ll be entering college with a resume and experience that most college students won’t have.

Types of Internships Available for High School Students

As previously mentioned, depending on your age and state you live in, you could be limited to where you can and can’t apply.

Also, depending on your high school, you may have more (or less) opportunities than other high school students.

When I was in high school, we had a “work-study” program.  I’m going to be honest, and I apologize if I offend anyone from my high school who is reading this.

That program was geared towards…. the lower percentage of my class.  Kids who were C students were the ones doing the work-study program.  They’d leave and go to work at the local pizza place or CVS or something like that.

The program had a lot of potential, but for some reason, only the people who were bad at school took part in the program.

Anyway, let’s take a look at some of the types of internships that are available for high school students like yourself in this day and age:

STEM Internships (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)

If you’re passionate about coding, biology, or engineering, look for internships at local labs, tech companies, or even universities. Some programs, like those offered by NASA or local STEM nonprofits, are designed specifically for students your age.

Business & Marketing Internships

Interested in learning how companies run? Business internships can range from helping with spreadsheets to managing social media for a local shop. Many small businesses are open to having an intern if you just ask.

Creative & Media Internships

Love writing, photography, or graphic design? Look into internships with local newspapers, blogs, or marketing agencies. Even creating content for a community organization can count—and it builds your portfolio, too.

Healthcare & Medical Internships

While you may not be able to work directly with patients, hospitals and clinics often offer volunteer programs or observational internships. You can also shadow professionals in physical therapy, veterinary care, or medical research.

Public Service & Nonprofits

If you want to make a difference, nonprofit internships are a great option. You could help plan events, raise awareness, or assist with outreach—all while building valuable leadership skills.

Government & Law Internships

Some local government offices and law firms offer internships or volunteer roles for high school students. It’s a great way to learn how public policy or legal systems work, especially if you're thinking about a career in politics or law.

Bottom line: You don’t need experience to get started—you just need curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the confidence to reach out.

How to Find a High School Internship

The advice I’ll give on finding an internship is the same I’d give for finding a job:

1.       Think about what you’re passionate about and are good at doing.

2.       Gain the skills you need (if you don’t have them already.)

3.       Network, network, network.

Here’s the full blog on how to find a job for high school Juniors and Seniors that should help you with landing an internship too.

I’ll also tell you this.

It will be much easier to not find an internship.  It’ll be easier to be like the majority of high school students and just follow the crowd.  You will have to get out of your comfort zone to do self-reflection and networking.  Playing video games will be much easier.

But, if you put the work in now, it will pay off.  I promise you that.

What to Expect from an Internship

I want to take some time to talk to you about what an internship should NOT be.

1.       Getting coffee for people daily: Sometimes as the low guy or gal on the totem pole, you might get to do this, but it shouldn’t be every day.  At one of my internships, I had to do this, every…. day.  I still remember one of the orders, an extra large coffee from Dunkin, extra sweet with 4 creams….

2.       Sitting around for extended periods of time: I did this too.  I tried to make myself look busy.  This was before airpods, smartphones and other devices that could keep you amused while doing nothing.

3.       Doing busy work: You shouldn’t be scanning, faxing, standing by the copier, doing mindless work all day.

You aren’t going to be advising the president of the company on the first day, but you should be learning and doing meaningful work while you’re there.  An internship as a Junior or Senior should be a lot of learning.  You might not even get to be the lead on any project, and that’s okay.

Your goal and what you should expect is to gain knowledge and skills.  That’s it.  Don’t worry about the money or your status.  Just gain knowledge and skills and it will be a successful internship.

And, if you make a connection or two that’s also great.

Frequently Asked Questions About Internships

Q: Do internships in high school actually matter for college applications?
A: Yes! Internships can show colleges that you’re motivated, curious, and already exploring future career paths. Even if it's a short summer program or a part-time role, it demonstrates initiative and gives you something meaningful to talk about in your essays or interviews.

Q: Are high school internships paid or unpaid?
A: Many high school internships are unpaid, especially if they’re with nonprofits or small businesses. But some paid opportunities do exist, particularly in tech, government, or through formal programs. Don’t let pay be the only factor—experience and connections can be just as valuable.

Q: How can I get an internship if I don’t have any experience yet?
A: You don’t need experience to land an internship. Start with your interests, ask a teacher or guidance counselor for leads, or reach out directly to local businesses or organizations. A simple email introducing yourself and asking about internship or volunteer opportunities can open a door.

Final Thoughts: Take the First Step Toward Your Future

You’ve probably heard this once or twice:

“Your high school journey is what you make of it.”

Cheesy, I know, but it’s also the same for an internship.  You can be like me, sitting around for most of the time, waiting for work to come, getting coffee and wasting time.  Or, you can make an impact and find yourself in the process.

If you put effort into an internship in high school, you’ll be setting yourself up for a bright future and something that no one can take away from you; knowledge and skills.

If you need help trying to navigate the internship process, Your Career Strategy is here to help.  Book a free call now by clicking here and one of our experience coaches will help guide you through the process.

We have faith in you