summer internships

September 8, 2020

The Importance of an Internship on Your College Application

As you begin the college application process, keep in mind the benefits of adding a high school internship to the Activities section on the Common App. With 150 characters of space to fill, describing a meaningful internship experience will enhance your application. A high school internship not only provides you with real-world experience, but it also gives you the knowledge you need to decide the college (and major) that best suits you. Including a quality internship on your college application demonstrates that you are a dedicated student who takes education seriously – an asset to any college or university! It’s no secret that college admissions have become more competitive than ever. So how do you set yourself apart from the competition? Having a 4.0 GPA and a course schedule filled with AP classes is not enough. Community involvement, philanthropy, extracurricular activities and – you guessed it – a high school internship can bring your application to the next level and […]
April 29, 2021

Internships in the New, Virtual Workplace

Working remotely has become a new normal. What does this mean for internships? It is no surprise that the COVID pandemic has changed the world in ways we could have never imagined: events have been cancelled, trips postponed, and school is now on Zoom. Among these changes has been a shift in what we once knew as the “traditional workplace.” Employees used to working in a cubicle during 9-to-5 hours started experiencing much more flexibility with regard to standard workplace culture by working remotely. In response to the needs of both employers and students, InternWorks introduced virtual internship programs in late spring 2020 and had tremendous success in placing students into premium, virtual internships that students were able to participate in from anywhere in the world.  Like traditional, on-site internships, virtual internships provide skills and experience necessary to prepare students for jobs, future internships, or their future career. Companies have adapted to the changing workplace and are still able to offer […]
November 4, 2021

What Makes an Ideal Intern?

As a high school or college student, participating in an internship is an ideal way for you to learn about a career area while building professional skills. But what do you do if you have little to no work experience? How can you ensure you will stand out as an intern and be memorable? Organizations value qualities such as enthusiasm, willingness to dive into new territory, an ambitious mindset, and excellent listening and follow-through skills. While not every employer is seeking the same set of qualities, here are five sure ways you can make an impact as an intern.  Take Initiative | Be Confident Once you begin your internship, hit the ground running and maintain a steady pace. Organizations appreciate determined individuals who work hard and dive head first into projects. Along with the willingness to go above and beyond, be what everyone calls a “go-getter”. That means taking initiative, responding quickly, and always following through on tasks. Showing ambition […]
December 9, 2021

What Does Your Online Presence Say About You?

With summer internships just around the corner, now is the time to evaluate your social media presence. In a digital culture that emphasizes posting your highlight reel on Instagram, it’s a good idea to rethink not only how you want to portray yourself on social media, but also how you want potential colleges and employers to perceive you and your brand. In the current job-search climate, scouring a candidate’s social media pages is considered fair game. In fact, in 2o19, 36% of admissions officers (Kaplan, 2020) and 70% of employers reported visiting potential candidates’ social media pages. In 2020, that 70% jumped to 98% of employers (The Manifest, 2020). So, what can you do to ensure that you’re putting your best digital foot forward?  For starters, take inventory of your personal online presence. What social media or discussion platforms do you use? Instagram? Twitter? Facebook? Reddit? Are there any accounts you used years ago that may still be active? Decide […]
January 6, 2022

Thinking about a Summer Internship? Now is the Time to Plan!

With the second half of the school year getting underway and colder temperatures in many parts of the world, it’s hard to imagine planning for summer. Between attending school, studying, participating in extracurricular activities, and fitting in a personal life, thinking about what to do over the summer shouldn’t even be on the radar. Or should it? According to U.S. News & World Report (Sorensen, 2022), “Because competition for summer jobs and internships can be stiff, you should start seeking out such opportunities months in advance.” So now is the perfect time to start thinking about and planning a summer internship.   Why An Internship? Getting hands-on experience in a career field is a valuable way to spend time in the summer. For high school and college students, internships are primarily experience-focused, which means they are designed to introduce students to an industry or career area. For some, it confirms a chosen career area; for others it may create an interest […]
February 3, 2022

How to Test Drive Different Careers as a High School Student

As a high school student, trying to figure out what you want to study and perhaps eventually have as a career–while exciting–can be daunting. The process requires time and the space to let yourself grow as you try on different career hats.  So what can you do now? High school is the perfect time to research career fields and perhaps “test drive” different careers to find out which field you may one day want to pursue. You may ask yourself, “Well, how can I do that?” Here are a few suggestions and resources you can use to assist you in doing career research. who knows, maybe you’ll discover your passion. Join School Clubs Interested in writing or photography? Join the school newspaper! Are you interested in entrepreneurship or learning more about different areas of business? Find out if your school has its own DECA (Distributive Education Club of America) chapter. This club encourages skill development and the exploration of various […]