<p>As a high school student, how do you go about requesting things such as internships/summer jobs/winter jobs/anything else, whether paid or unpaid. Do you really have to have "links", or can you just apply as an average person having no connection whatsoever?</p>
<p>Well, I got pretty lucky. In AP bio we had a biotechnology day, and we had a professor at MSU come in, luckfully, I told him about my computer passion/experience, and he pretty much guaranteed me an internship/position for research in his lab! It’s all about networking!</p>
<p>I’d probably just look around local universities and check online, there’s a lot of internet companies where you could probably get an intern, that might not even be on-site.</p>
<p>I literally emailed a professor at a nearby university, got an interview, and then got the internship. No connections at all! I suggest finding professors whose research interests you in nearby universities, emailing them, and hoping for the best. Some may not email you back, but you only need one, and then you have internship.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Enthusiasm and a solid foundation for your area of expertise will help you overcome a lack of connections.</p>
<p>I live in an affluent suburban community where most kids can get a desk job or research internship by pulling a couple strings. However, employers or research professors will appreciate you more if you can convey more potential and experience for the internship.</p>