High School Internship

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>Hello CC! I'll be starting my junior year in High School next week.<br>
The past two years of my high school career has been.. weak. I'm looking to seriously step up my game now. My passion is science (biology to be slightly more precise), has been since the 2nd grade :)
I am currently looking for some experience in the real world of biology. I understand that what I experience in the classroom (although my HS chem/bio teacher has been, and is amazing) is nothing compared to the real research and knowledge known now. I want to adventure into that world. </p>

<p>I know that not many opportunities are open for High School students, but I'm willing to make it happen. I know that to get a position, I must take initiative on my own.<br>
What I am asking of CC is a little help with that. I live around the LA county/Orange County area, there are a lot of big universities around me (UCI, UCLA, several cal states, Caltech... etc.)<br>
My question is, how do I go about making my own internship? Do I simply email professors asking them to take me under their wing and teach me the skills of the trade in exchange for a free pair of hands? How would I structure this essay? If anyone has had success in emailing professors, would you mind sending me a copy of your letter for reference? Would now be too early to email the professors? If so, when would be a good time? Are such research "internships" only available in the summer or is it possible for me to find some afterschool for the school year?</p>

2

<p>Well, youre off to a good start. </p>

<p>You should email them, but keep it simple and precise. Introduce yourself, kindly ask for what you’re looking for, offer your free help and the approximate times of availability, and then just sign off. No need for an essay.</p>

<p>I’m not familiar with sciences-related internships as I am more focused towards the finance world, but Im confident it works the same way. It took me 2 weeks of digging around the country (Saudi Arabia) to find an internship at an Investment Bank. It shouldn’t take that long to find work with a professor.</p>

<p>Also, I know a couple of people that work with professors and help them with papers during the school year as an afterschool activity (as some professors work at night). They would love your help if you were a competent, keen individual.</p>

<p>If I was in your position, I would go to the website directory of the said university (UCLA, CalTech,etc.) and look for professors in the Bio department. I would pick 1-3 professors whose works interest and send them an email. Sending an email to the entire department would make you look like a spammer (not good).</p>

<p>Good luck with your search!</p>