<p>Hi, I'm a high school student (entering sophomore year in August 2007) and I'm looking for an internship for the summer of '08. Since I live near D.C. and have pretty good academics and extracurriculars, that should be easy, but it's not. Almost all the ones I've found that interest me are for college students or at the very least high school grads. I'm trying to find a political/legal internship (preferably) maybe in D.C. that'll accept high school students and I can't find very many. I'm not TOO concerned with prestige or money, but any extra bonuses would of course be nice. Any advice? </p>
<p>Well, since July is almost half over and you're a sophomore in HS, it probably won't happen. I mean, think about: there are thousands of college students who have better qualifications than you do (no offense, but they're in college, you know, and are more experienced) and are having trouble finding internships. </p>
<p>So, I guess I really don't have much advice. I would suggest, though, that if you really want this, keep looking, but be realistic about your chances.</p>
<p>Yea, your chances of getting a political/legal internship would be almost zero (unless you have personal/family contacts within that field). You might think you have a lot to offer, but trust me, you really won't. At 15 or 16 (however old you might be), you might think you are intelligent and mature... but trust me, you'll look back in 5 years and realize how naive you were. </p>
<p>As URichmond2010 said, there's nothing a yet-to-be high school sophomore can offer to them. You aren't even an adult, so you can't enter into any legal contracts. </p>
<p>High school internships aren't going to mean much to college admissions. Go play some sports, do some volunteer work, learn to play an instrument, go tutor some kids... there's plenty of stuff that would be more meaningful to you at this stage.</p>
<p>Since there is an election in November 08, look into working on a campaign. Doesn't have to be presidential, and in fact, it may be better if it's not. Check out senate races, house races, state senate & house races, city council, school board, etc.</p>
<p>Sky, high school internship might mean much to college admissions. It depends on the significance of your experience. </p>
<p>URichmond, the OP asks for internships for next summer ('08).</p>
<p>A friend of mine (rising senior) has an internship in the Senate right now. I don't know the details of how she got it. Family connections help a bunch.</p>
<p>I don't think internships matter that much unless its absolutely amazing. I had several meaningful internships in HS such as working at a top 5 business school doing real work, interning at a congressman's local office, and interning with a big marketing firm. They were all very significant experience to me and I wrote about them in my essays and such. </p>
<p>I just email people, I never sent a resume in HS because in HS, you really don't have much to report on. Being the president of blah and blah isn't that impressive. But in my emails, I just outline the stuff I am interested in and my skills and maybe previous work-related experiences. None of the internships I had was formal; after I demonstrated sufficient interest, they just told me that they be willing to take me and etc. </p>
<p>My first internship was after sophomore year; it was during the summer and it was unpaid. I was at the marketing place and they assigned me to an associate and I made a good impression so that really opened some doors when I was looking for my next internship. </p>
<p>I would say maybe email the poli sci professors at Georgetown or American or whatever and see if they are willing to take you.</p>
<p>I tried getting an internship involving law this summer, too. It was pretty tough - all of my friends' parents declined me, and people that I didn't know personally didn't even bother to return my emails. I'm hoping it's only because I'm a sophomore in high school; do you think I would have a better chance landing one next year? I live in a fairly small town with a law school. :/</p>
<p>"I would say maybe email the poli sci professors at Georgetown or American or whatever and see if they are willing to take you."</p>
<p>Do you think they would actually accept a high school student? That would be awesome.</p>
<p>if you want a political internship, a campaign would probably be your best bet. i interned on a congessman's campaign and ended up getting a letter of recommendation from the winning congressman himself. </p>
<p>the next yea i applied for an internship in my district's congressman (other internship was district next to us) and ended up just getting declined due to the fact that i was still in high school. the lady said that they do accept high school students but usually only if they are at a lack of college students to do the job (unless of course you have a great connection to the congressman or maybe helped him get elected). </p>
<p>either way definitely intern on a political campaign and try hard and show interest early on by contact intern coordinater at congerssman of your choice (senate will be very difficult) in order to have a leg up</p>
<p>I'm entering my senior year in high school. I've interned with:</p>
<p>Congress - Absolutely amazing. It's not too easy to get if you're in high school, but it's definitely possible. I knew other kids working in the Capitol who were entering junior year. Call your local congressman/congresswoman and senators and submit resumes. Then, read about the different congressmen, find a few you're interested in, and submit resumes there too. Perseverance definitely pays off. And, since you're from around DC, you don't have to deal with the hassle of housing.</p>
<p>Legal Aid - Most cities have some form sort of a legal aid, a group that provides free legal council to those who need it. The work they do is really cool. If you're interested, I'd recommend calling your local Legal Aid and asking what sort of internship is available.</p>
<p>The political campaign suggestion is also great. I'm currently in the process of applying to work on one myself.</p>
<p>I wouldn't expect any money, but I bet you can find something if you just send out your resume to a lot of places.</p>
<p>If you don't have connections, you aren't likely to get a DC political-type internship until you are in college. True story: I just got done interning in DC and in my last week I got to look at the applications for fall semester interns. There were multiple people with MAs, and one PhD candidate, all applying for an unpaid internship targeted at undergrads. People are so desparate to break into DC that the competition for internships is cutthroat and people are often very overqualified. </p>
<p>With that in mind, your best shot is probably in local government or congressional district offices. Nobody is looking for HS students so you will need to be proactive. Make up a list of local district offices and call them directly. County and state government offices also sometimes take high school students. Don't even use the phrase 'internship,' just say you want exposure and will work for free. </p>
<p>Keep your expectations low. If you get anything, it won't be prestigious, it likely won't be substantive, and it won't be paid. </p>
<p>One other thing to look into. Some federal agencies have work-study type programs where you do start near the end of high school and continue during summers in college. For some of them, the agency will help pay for school in return for a committment once you graduate from college. Obviously, however, these are rediculously tough to get.</p>
<p>if you will get an internship now, it will be unpaid
I had internships last summer and this summer...it's just about knowing people who will do you favors really</p>
<p>oh wait, reread your post...there's pretty much no way you'll get an internship in DC...but you can get political internships (COMPLETELY unpaid) for some political campaigns coming up in select areas (i.e. Obama internships available in NH, and some other states)</p>
<p>Try something local. My cousin's baseball coach works for the District Attorney, and he got me a job interning there. Do you have any relatives or associates in the political field or a local Congressman that might be running for reelection?</p>
<p>And if you really want to work for a congressman, say you're willing to work in the district offices. A lot of people really only want to work in DC, but they need people in the district office, and, depending where in the DC area you are, it may be more convinient to head away from the city in the morning and avoid the traffic, etc. You'll still get exposure to the legislative branch and you'll get to make connections to people that will help you get nicer positions in the future, you just won't get to work downtown.</p>
<p>Getting a paid internship is rather unlikely, unless you have any significant experience or unique skills.</p>
<p>However, there are many opportunities for obtaining unpaid internships, particularly in the DC area (I live near DC, as well). Smaller thinktanks, non-profits, or advocacy groups are probably a good place to start. Even if you're only a volunteer at a non-profit, you could obtain a significant amount of responsibility if you demonstrate dedication and competence.</p>
<p>Also, just because an internship application indicates that the position is exclusively for undergraduate students, it's not necessarily true. There are always loopholes, especially if you have connections.</p>
<p>so...considering the rarity of paid HS internships, does that mean they help out a lot in admissions? I'm going to be a senior and i had a paid internship at Cornell Medical College IT dept in manhattan. Will this help a lot?</p>
<p>"However, there are many opportunities for obtaining unpaid internships, particularly in the DC area (I live near DC, as well). Smaller thinktanks, non-profits, or advocacy groups are probably a good place to start. Even if you're only a volunteer at a non-profit, you could obtain a significant amount of responsibility if you demonstrate dedication and competence."</p>
<p>Would they provide room and board if you don't live in the DC area?</p>
<p>Currently I'm interning at the City Attorney's Office at where I live and I'm going to be a Senior. It's unpaid, but I get to do a lot of things and I get my own cubicle and computer! Yay! :) Good luck on trying to get one; I didn't have to do much other than apply and show up to the interview. :p</p>