Internships

This lesson demystifies internships for teens and young adults by treating them as a “test drive” of your future career. You’ll learn what an internship is, why it matters, how to find and apply for one—even with zero experience—plus strategies to excel while you’re there and leverage your experience afterward. By the end, you’ll understand every step of the internship journey: from exploring opportunities and crafting a standout application to making the most of your placement and turning it into real‑world success.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Define Internships: Explain what an internship is, distinguish paid vs. unpaid, part‑time vs. full‑time, and general fields.
• Articulate Benefits & Drawbacks: List at least three pros (e.g., hands‑on experience, networking) and three cons (e.g., unpaid, time commitment) of internships.
• Locate Opportunities: Identify at least five reliable sources for finding internships (school, online boards, company sites, networking, volunteering).
• Prepare Applications: Construct a basic resume and cover letter tailored to internship roles, and outline effective follow‑up and interview strategies.
• Excel as an Intern: Demonstrate best practices for success on the job—timeliness, professionalism, proactivity, and networking.
• Leverage & Reflect: Describe how to wrap up an internship, maintain professional relationships, update credentials, and refine future career goals—even if the experience wasn’t ideal.