High School Student Internships Change Lives

Three steps to help students acquire an internship two days a week with a local business or organization.

Ninth grade internships in rural El Dorado County, CA — Photos by Michelle Spencer

In 2002 I was the internship coordinator at a newly opened charter school where every single student, starting in ninth grade, had an internship two days a week at a local business, hospital, city agency or non-profit. Here are three scaffolded steps that anyone can follow to gain an internship for their student, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a public, private, online or homeschool.

Step One: Students Make Phone Calls

It’s daunting for ninth graders to make calls to request shadow days and to interview people with whom they think they’d like to have an internship — I mean think about it. Many 14-year olds haven’t ever placed a formal phone call. How do they engage with that stranger on the other end of the line to compel that person to answer questions about their work?

You don’t just tell a 14-year old to go write a bunch of questions and to call around. They need to practice — first with each other to build beginning confidence and then with a low-stakes adult (like their teacher, parent, or internship coordinator) where they can get more challenging feedback. Some students are so nervous placing their first call to request just a phone…