The Lumiere Guide on How to Find Internships for High School Students

Internships are a powerful way for high school students to test out careers, build practical skills, and get a glimpse into the real world of work. But with the many opportunities out there, finding the right internship can feel overwhelming. To make it easier for you, we’ve broken it down into manageable steps, showing you how to find the perfect internship and land it, even if you’re just starting out.

The Lumiere Guide on How to Find Internships for High School Students

What is an Internship?

An internship is a hands-on way to learn about a career. It’s a role where you work alongside professionals, gaining first-hand experience in a specific field. Interns typically assist with daily tasks, contribute to projects, and may even take on their responsibilities. Internships usually don’t pay (though some do!), but they are full of opportunities for personal and professional growth. The goal is to learn more about a career and get hands-on exposure to how it works.

Internships provide you a chance to develop skills, gain insights into different professions, and build your network. Whether you're interested in journalism, science, tech, or anything else, an internship can give you a deeper understanding of what that field is like on the ground level.

What makes internships so valuable?

Internships offer plenty of perks, especially for high school students:

• You can explore a career to see if it’s the right fit for you: Internships let you test out different industries to see what fits you best. If you’re unsure about your future career, an internship can be the perfect way to explore without fully committing.

• You will work on building a strong skillset: You’ll learn more than just technical skills. Internships teach you valuable life skills like communication, organization, time management, and collaboration—all things that will be useful no matter what career you pursue.

• You will get to network: One of the best parts about internships is the chance to meet people already working in the field. These connections can open doors for future jobs, internships, and mentorships.

• Internships look great on college applications: Colleges love to see students taking initiative. Internships show that you’re eager to learn and are already thinking about your career, which looks great on your college application.

• You will receive solid recommendations and references: Internships provide opportunities to build relationships with mentors who can vouch for your work ethic and skills. These recommendations will be valuable when you apply for future internships, jobs, or college programs.

Why is finding an internship difficult?

While internships are valuable, finding them can be tricky. High school internships can be competitive and hard to find. Here’s what you might run into:

• There is a limited availability of internships for high schooler: Many internships are designed for college students, so there may not be as many spots for high school students.

• Internships usually require some experience: It’s common to feel like you need a lot of experience to land an internship. However many internships (like Ladder Internships) are designed for beginners, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a long list of experiences to put on your application. 

• Applications are competitive: Lots of high school students are looking for internships, especially in fields like tech, journalism, and business. You’ll need to stand out by showing why you’re a great fit for the role.

• The application process can be long: Applying for internships often involves multiple steps, such as writing cover letters, filling out forms, and submitting resumes. It’s easy to get lost in the process, but persistence is key.

7 Ways to Find Internships-

Here are seven strategies to help you successfully find and land internships, whether you’re just getting started or looking to add something to your schedule.

1. Cold Emailing Professionals

Cold emailing is a powerful, underutilized strategy for finding internships. It works like this: you reach out directly to people you’re interested in learning from and ask if they have any internship opportunities.

• Research is Key: Look for professionals or companies in fields that interest you. Use platforms like LinkedIn or Google to find their contact details.

• Who Should You Contact? Focus on reaching out to managers or team leads, as they’re usually the ones who can make internship decisions.

• Crafting the Email: Your email should be short, clear, and professional. Introduce yourself, explain why you’re reaching out, and mention what you’re interested in learning. Be specific about what you can offer, whether it’s help with a project, support for tasks, or just a willingness to learn.

If you don’t hear back after a week, send a follow-up email to check-in. Keep it polite and respectful.

2. Use LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great tool for high school students to connect with potential mentors, find internship opportunities, and build a network.

• Create a Solid Profile: Even if you don’t have professional work experience, you can fill out your profile with school projects, skills, and extracurricular activities that show your interests.

• Search for Internships: LinkedIn has a specific section for job and internship postings. Use filters to find positions suited for students or entry-level candidates.

• Engage with Posts and People: Follow professionals in the industries you’re interested in. Interact with their posts by commenting thoughtfully, which helps you get noticed.

3. Check Internship Sites

• Several websites specialize in listing internships, and many have options for high school students. These sites make it easier to find internships by listing all the details in one place:

• Handshake: A great resource for students to search for internships by location, industry, and experience level. Many universities post internships here, so it’s not just for college students.

• Chegg Internships: Provides internship listings across a wide range of fields, from business to tech to journalism.

• BigFuture by CollegeBoard: This platform offers not only internships but also advice on how to apply and what to expect.

Regularly check these sites for new listings, and don’t hesitate to apply early.

4. Ask Your Teachers and Counselors

Your teachers and school counselors are likely familiar with local internship opportunities, so it’s worth asking them. They might have connections with businesses, alumni, or organizations offering internships.

• Recommendations: If you’re interested in a specific field, ask your teachers if they know any companies or organizations that accept interns.

• Look for School-Sponsored Programs: Some schools post internship opportunities in their newsletters, bulletin boards, or online portals.

• Join Clubs or Programs: Many school clubs, especially those related to business, tech, or media, are connected to internships or volunteer work.

  
  

5. Look for Youth Programs

There are specialized internship programs designed just for high school students. These programs often offer more structure and mentorship compared to regular internships. Some programs even provide a stipend or other benefits.

• Smithsonian Youth Programs: Offers internships in science, history, and culture, providing hands-on experience at one of the most prestigious institutions in the world.

• NASA STEM Engagement: Connects high school students with internships in space science, engineering, and technology, with opportunities to work on real NASA projects.

• Ladder Internships: Focuses on connecting high school students with internships at startups and small businesses.

These programs offer a structured way to gain experience in specific fields while also learning from experts.

6. Volunteer for Experience

If internships are hard to find, volunteering is a good alternative. While not technically an internship, volunteering helps you build the same skills and connections.

• Volunteer at organizations related to your field of interest.

• Help at local events, non-profits, or community centers.

Volunteering shows initiative and helps you develop your skills, even if it’s not an official internship.

7. Use Your School’s Alumni Network

Alumni are often willing to help students from their high school. They may offer internships or guides on how to find them.

• Look for Alumni on LinkedIn: You can find alumni who are working in industries you’re interested in. Reach out to ask about internship opportunities.

• Attend Alumni Networking Events: Many schools host events where you can meet former students who may offer internships, advice, or connections to other opportunities.

Alumni are often happy to give back, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

If you’re looking for a structured and impactful way to gain real-world experience, consider exploring Ladder Internships. Ladder is a selective program for high school students to work with startups, offering a unique chance to contribute to real-world projects and present their work at the end of the internship.

Throughout the program, students work closely with a manager from the startup, gaining firsthand industry experience. Additionally, each intern is paired with a Ladder Coach - a second mentor who provides guidance, support, and helps students navigate the fast-paced startup environment. 

One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source - NASA Logo