High school is a time of exploration, and internships allow students to explore various career paths before committing to one. This early exposure helps them make informed decisions about their future academic and professional pursuits.
In India, where competition for college admissions and jobs is fierce, gaining practical experience early on can give students a significant edge. Let’s delve into why internships matter for high schoolers and explore the types they should consider.
How Internships Help Students:
- Internships offer real-world experience, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge.
- Hands-on experience helps students understand the relevance of their studies and career goals.
- Develop essential skills: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
- These skills are crucial for any career and are best honed through practical experiences.
- Admissions officers value internships alongside academic achievements.
- Internships on college applications demonstrate passion, initiative, and maturity.
- High school students, even with little job experience, have many options to gain practical experience.
Community Service Internship
Volunteering for non-profit organizations or NGOs offers students a chance to contribute to society while developing empathy, leadership, and social responsibility. Indian NGOs such as WWF, CARE, WSD, and Greenpeace welcome volunteers. Volunteering with NGOs helps students build essential skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. These skills are valuable not only in volunteer settings but also in professional environments.
Target Early-Stage Startups
Smaller, leaner teams are more likely to hire high school students as opposed to larger companies because they are more structured and have more hoops to run through to make hiring decisions and thus will hire inexperienced high schoolers looking for experience. Startups have the flexibility to tap into the potential of young students. Try reaching out to Thapar’s Entrepreneur’s Academy, Young Entrepreneur’s Academy and Junior Achievement India.
Leverage Your Network
Getting introduced to a potential internship through a mutual connection is like receiving a stamp of approval. Employers are more likely to consider candidates recommended by someone they trust, making your application process smoother and more favourable. Friends and family might know individuals or organizations offering internships not advertised on job boards or company websites. These hidden opportunities can give you a competitive advantage in a crowded job market.
Connect With Small Business Owners On Social Media:
They often need and appreciate help with marketing, inventory planning, etc.—especially the ones on Instagram! Social media business owners tend to employ teens and high school students as they have more experience with making Instagram reels, stories, etc.
Skill-based internship:
One of the best internship prospects is exploring role-based opportunities that are focused on building your skills in a particular space, such as content writing or graphic design. You can choose to approach your local magazine, or even a mentor or their organisation, such as a law firm, and offer your skills, or maybe simply ask for experience in their field.
Janani S Koushik
KSP Team
KSP Team
Dr Amodita Ahuja
Mansi Zaveri
Jyotika Bedi
