Breaking into Engineering Internships as a High Schooler: Tips, Tricks, and Opportunities in 2024
Are you a high school student passionate about engineering and eager to get a head start on your engineering career? Landing an internship in the engineering field can be an invaluable experience that not only gives you a taste of what the profession entails but also uplifts your resume for future opportunities. While it may seem daunting to get an internship as a high schooler, with the right approach and preparation, you can position yourself as a strong candidate. Here are some steps to help you get started on this exciting journey and some potential internship opportunities in 2024 for high schoolers.
How to get started on the journey to an internship
1. Define Your Interests:
Start by identifying the specific area of engineering that excites you the most. Whether it's mechanical, electrical, software, civil, or any other branch, having a clear idea of your interests will guide your internship search.
2. Build a Strong Foundation:
Focus on excelling in relevant high school courses like math, physics, chemistry, and computer science. Try showing your interest in the STEM field by taking AP classes that interest you. This shows your dedication to go above and beyond the regular school curriculum. A solid academic foundation is crucial in engineering, and it will make you a more competitive candidate.
3. Gain Practical Skills:
Engage in extracurricular activities or projects that allow you to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. Join robotics clubs, coding competitions, or work on engineering projects on your own to develop hands-on skills. This gives you some experience in the field you wish to pursue and enhances your skills going into the program.
4. Network and Seek Guidance:
Connect with professionals in the engineering field. Reach out to local engineers or engineering firms for informational interviews, or mentorship. Their insights can provide valuable guidance and even potential internship leads. The best way to connect with Alumni, you wish to seek guidance from, is through a platform called Linkedin.
5. Create a Standout Resume:
Craft a polished resume that highlights your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, relevant skills, and any projects or experiences related to engineering. Tailor your resume to emphasize how your skills align with the internship requirements.
6. Explore Internship Opportunities:
Research companies, universities, or research institutions that offer internships for high school students in engineering. Look for programs specifically designed for high schoolers and apply to multiple opportunities to increase your chances of getting accepted into one.
7. Prepare for Interviews:
Practice common interview questions and scenarios. Showcase your passion for engineering, problem-solving abilities, and willingness to learn. Highlight any relevant experiences or projects during the interview to show your knowledge in the field.
8. Stay Updated and Persistent:
Keep an eye on application deadlines and requirements for internships. Even if you face rejection initially, don’t get discouraged. Use the feedback to improve and continue applying to different opportunities.
9. Attend Career Fairs and Workshops:
Participate in career fairs or workshops organized by schools, local organizations, or engineering societies. These events can provide networking opportunities and valuable information about internships.
10. Show Enthusiasm and Dedication:
During your internship, demonstrate enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn. Engage with your mentors, ask questions, and contribute actively to projects. The best thing you can do as a beginner in the field is to show your passion.
5 Engineering Internships open in 2024
1. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Aspire Program
Location: In-person, or Virtual options
Dates: June-Aug
Application timeline: 1/1 to 2/15
Eligibility: 11th-12th grades, 15+
Competitiveness: 15%- 20% acceptance rate
Cost: Free
High school juniors and seniors work at the Applied Physics Lab at Johns Hopkins to experience and explore STEM careers before committing to a major in college. During their internship, students are paired with an APL staff member, complete projects, and learn technical skills in a very professional environment. The ASPIRE Program invites students to apply under one of the following main categories:
Planetary Science
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Engineering
Information Technology & Cybersecurity
Mathematics & Data Analysis
2. Inspirit AI Scholars Program
Location: Remote
Dates: 2-week sessions throughout the year
Application timeline: Rolling year-round
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade
Cost: $900
The AI Scholars Program at Inspirit AI is a program that empowers high school students around the world to apply artificial intelligence and computer science to various fields. The program emphasizes project-based learning and encourages high schoolers to seize on their interests and conduct socially impactful research in their field of choice. After the brief Python course, students are allowed to choose what area of AI they want to focus on, so they learn more about what fascinates THEM the most. These projects cover diverse topics such as cancer studies, law enforcement, self-driving cars, fake news, mental health, and emotion detection.
The instructors leading the program are from top universities like Stanford, Harvard, and MIT. They're there to help and guide students as they work on their projects.
3. SPARK Summer Internship Program
Location: Seattle, WA
Dates: Jun-Aug
Application timeline: Mar-Apr
Eligibility: 9th-12th grades
Cost: Free
The mission of the SPARK Summer Internship Program (SIP) is to provide opportunities for motivated high school students in the greater Seattle area by connecting them with industry experts in engineering, science, and business. Previous internship projects have included Detection tools for Tick-Borne Infections or Breast Cancer, DNA sequence classification based on electronic signatures, and Engineering Sales and Marketing. Internships will be different this year, so take a look at the SPARK website during the application time frame for this year's projects.
4. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CIS) Intern Program
Location: San Francisco, CA
Dates: multi-year, year-round
Application timeline: 2/3-4/3
Eligibility: 9th-10th grade; student in SFUSD school
Cost: Free
CiS interns get paid to learn, teach, and do science in and around the California Academy of Sciences. High schoolers enter the program in June as rising sophomores or juniors and continue through high school graduation. By demonstrating achievement and reliability, interns may earn positions of increased leadership and responsibility. Interns also conduct outdoor fieldwork, attend interactive training, learn about careers from STEM professionals, and present at STEM conferences and festivals.
As interns advance through the program, they'll participate in project groups, in which small groups of students work on a science research or environmental action project led by an Academy researcher or partner. Interns will also serve on the CiS Leadership Council and are eligible for individualized mentorships with Academy experts.
Through these experiences and more, CiS helps interns develop the confidence and skills needed to think critically, tackle complex problems, succeed in the workforce, and serve as informed decision-makers in their communities.
5. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program
Location: Princeton, NJ
Dates: 5-6 weeks over summer
Application timeline: 2/15-3/15
Eligibility: 16+, enrolled in high school
Cost: Free
The Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton University is a full-time, free research experience in science or engineering for high school students. Students participate in ongoing research projects closely supervised by Princeton faculty and research staff. There is a wide range of projects/programs available during this internship. You will need to apply to each project you find interesting separately by 3/15. Past projects that were offered in the program were, Machine Learning Methods for Power Magnetics Modeling, Chicken embryo lung development, Quantum Cascade ring laser systems design, etc. According to your chosen project, the duration of the internship might differ.
Conclusion
Securing an engineering internship as a high schooler requires dedication, perseverance, and a proactive approach. Use every opportunity to learn and grow, and don’t underestimate the value of the experience gained, even if it’s an unpaid or short-term internship. Embrace the learning curve and keep nurturing your passion for engineering. It will be very useful in whatever career you choose to pursue in college or beyond.
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
