The work force; something every student spends their entire youth working to be a part of yet every adult complains about. Fortunately, a piece of that experience is encrusted in internships. Internships serve as pivotal stepping stones in the journey of high school students towards their professional aspirations and grant students an opportunity to bolster their resumes. . These programs go above and beyond the traditional classroom settings by providing students with individualized experiences made to simulate the work environment. Students are able to hone their individual skills and build off their miniscule base in an opportunity to become great at something. Internships also grant students with a more worldly perspective allowing them to uncover previously concealed opportunities they did not know. Although it may seem overwhelming, internships are very manageable and ultimately should be fun while advancing your skills. 

Navigating the complex yet simple word of internships involves three crucial steps otherwise known as, research, preparation, and engagement. To begin, students should investigate different companies and organizations that are linked with their interests. Exploring the web can uncover convenient and manageable opportunities as well as find opportunities that you may not have previously known about. Manufacturing specific resumes and cover letters to each application showcases to the organization your enthusiasm and suitability for the position being applied to ultimately increasing your chances of obtaining an internship offer. For example, a student that applies for two different internships should create two different resumes specific to the desired roles in order to target their key points in relation to the job rather than making one broad resume.

As students advance onto the interview stage, preparation becomes essential in order to separate themselves from the others. Getting to know the company’s culture, values, and objectives showcase interest and care in the company’s future, while also demonstrating dedication. Reciting responses to frequently asked interview questions and articulating strengths while also incorporating personal experiences can boost confidence and leave a unique impression on employers. After the interview process is complete, it is important that the intern approach their new roles with enthusiasm showing their personality and interest in what they are doing. Building connections within the organization is also incredibly important as not only will you be familiar with the organization, but you will be able to make connections that could potentially come a long way in your role as an intern. Along with that, you could also find a mentor helping you pursue your passion or uncover it. By being challenged, prepared to learn, and showcasing their attributes, interns can bolster their internship experience and leave an ever-lasting impression on the company.

Internships offer paramount opportunities for learning, but these are of no use if you are not able to balance these opportunities which can become heavy, with your academics. This is essential if you want to maximize your potential as a student and an intern and not feel like this internship is a burden. Time management is the undeniable key to help reinforce your ability as an intern and student. Creating a calendar or daily list of requirements, while also allocating a specific amount of time for each activity can help maintain a balanced and practical schedule while also helping to develop a routine. Not only does this help with performance but also develops essential traits needed in the future to secure a job. A schedule will not be successful if the students lists random activities with random time frames, the student should prioritize tasks by deadlines and importance to ensure the student is making the most out of their allotted time. Verbal communication with administrators and elders is also an important factor in managing activities. Letting supervisors know beforehand of commitments whether it be academic or extracurricular, is important as you can discuss flexible work arrangements to help reduce stress and guarantee a smooth transition from academics to internships as it should not feel overwhelming. Keeping school administrators informed of commitments allows for better arrangement and development of a plan for upcoming assignments and assessments. Frequently reviewing and adjusting schedules also allows for more flexibility on the teachers and students end because it helps manage different responsibilities effectively and address any impending activities. By proficiently organizing time and communicating, students can not only balance internships with school commitments, but also maximize their output in each of these tasks. This ultimately helps their experiences which inturn can help the student with their future goals.

To conclude, reflecting on these intriguing experiences helps develop personal growth and helps the intern with future career decisions by expanding their scope on the work-a-day world. Looking back on these experiences  is also important as you can uncover which of these aspects resonated most inside you and aspects that may require a tad further exploration. This can also help provide insight into one’s career path whether they genuinely enjoyed their role, or may need to search for something more compatible with their characteristics. Documenting important milestones that happened during the internship can also serve as a valuable asset when deciding on a career or major in college. With internships, students are able to build traits such as determination, and punctuality that cannot be simulated in a classroom while also unlocking doors to a world of possibilities that previously they were oblivious to. Now I leave you with this, internships could be the experience of a lifetime, but that experience can only be uncovered with an attempt, start researching.