Features: A Message from Claes Nobel Advisory Board Highlight - Tyra Banks High School Highlight Partner News College-Bound Advice A Senior's Words of Wisdom for the College Application Process Internships from a Student's Perspective Learn to Earn ABCs on the SAT Spotlight on Service Tsunami Relief: How You Can Help Red Cross: Give the Gift of Life--Every Drop Counts Students Follow Their Passion -- Taking Advantage of Special Opportunities People to People: An Adventure of a Lifetime The Joy of Journalism Adventure in the Alps: Summer in Switzerland Overcoming Challenges Coping with Change: Coming to America Struggling with Scoliosis: Obstacles into Opportunities Overcoming Personal Affliction A Student's Perspective on Internships by Robert Rowe Princeton, Class of 2007 Atlanta, Georgia I recently found myself trying to figure out what I'm going to do next summer and the topic of internships immediately popped into my head. Internships can be a very important part of both high school and college life. Colleges (as well as medical schools, law schools, other graduate schools and companies) look for "experience," and an internship is a great way to gain it. One of the great aspects of an internship is the fact that it is not normally a long-term commitment. In most cases, students wait until the summer to work and therefore can only work at an internship for up to three months. Why is this good news? Well, a summer can be just long enough to feel out an area of occupation. If after three months you decide that this field of work no longer interests you, the internship is over, and you have no further commitments to it. If it turns out that you really enjoyed it, that first internship puts your foot in the door, and you can either apply for that internship in particular or use it as a stepping stone for an even better one in the future. Now what exactly is the difference between an internship and a job? If the internship pays you money (minimum wage and above), essentially nothing is different. There are two main types of internships, however: paying and non-paying. Obviously, it is a huge positive if you can get a paying internship, but don't let that be your driving force. Remember, you are in it for the experience and the possibility of learning new skills and practices, not to make money. Paying internships usually pay in monthly stipends, which is why it is important to learn how to manage your money properly. Don't limit yourself to local internships. Some pay for room, board, and transportation. But if you do live at home, you can keep the room and board stipend. It is never too early to start looking for internships. Though there are fewer internships open to students the earlier they are in their educational career, it is still a great idea to learn the basics of applying, writing essays, writing a resume, getting recommendations, and making contacts. All of these things will help you apply to colleges, for jobs, and just about anything else. There isn't a specific set of rules when finding internships. All it takes is determination and a positive, driving attitude. The key is to contact as many people as you can. Try talking with your guidance counselor at school first, letting them know that you are interested in certain fields of study. Talk to your parents. They may have friends in certain areas that you didn't know about. There are also many websites you can visit that list internship opportunities. If you have already been accepted by universities or know which schools in which you are interested, try contacting them. Some schools have programs specifically designed for giving future students experience in different areas. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Who knows? You may even start an internship of your own simply because you talked to someone who needs an extra hand. I can say from personal experience that hands-on knowledge is the best way to learn a subject and impress others. I have participated in paying and non-paying internships, and both were equally as exciting and rewarding. Your future can be very bright and only you, through hard work and perseverance, can make it that way. << Back to Journal Home page