Why High School Internships Matter

You have the grades. You have the great test scores. You have the extra-curricular activities. What else can you do to make yourself stand out from the increasingly crowded field of college applicants? A high school internship is an ideal way to get one step ahead of the competition. Not only will an internship deliver invaluable work experience, but it will also demonstrate that you are driven and ambitious. You’ll also gain more knowledge about the field of study that interests you.

Work Experience is Valuable

Look at a high school internship like a practice job. This opportunity will provide you with a bevy of valuable work experience. Snagajob says, “there is no better way to learn a skill or a new trade than to just jump right in and start working.” In addition to the specific skills that are unique to the industry, you will also gain work experience in areas such as teamwork, discipline, accountability, and personal responsibility. These skills will carry over to many different industries, providing a solid framework of experience regardless of the career path that you choose. Soft skills can often be the difference between whether you land the big job of your choosing or not.

Networking Can Never Start Too Early

High school internships can open up a world of networking opportunities. According to this blog, “when networking, you can gain contacts that can later give you great advice and heads up on opportunities.” You can gain some pretty valuable references that will prove invaluable when applying for colleges or other job opportunities. Mutually beneficial relationships can extend throughout the life of your career, providing countless opportunities.

Define Your Interests and Career Goals

A high school internship is an ideal way to explore various avenues of interest in a low-pressure setting. This source explains, “by trying out different career paths, you can begin to understand what really sparks an interest for you.” High school is the ideal time to discover your passions, and an internship is a great way to take these passions out for a test drive in a real-life work situation. This experience will help you to hone in on your strongest interests as well as help you to determine what you have an aptitude for achieving.

Although it can often be challenging to put yourself out there, making the leap and taking on an internship can pay big dividends down the road.

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