<p>I'm a rising High School Sophomore and I was wondering if it was possible to get an internship at Engineering companies (Pharmaceutical - Long shot isn't it?) I mean I think it'll be a good way for me to see if I'm really passionate about it (I applied for an NIH Internship - almost got it but then it turned out they only accept US Citizens and Permanent Residents).</p>
<p>So, are there any Engineering companies that offer internships to High School Students?</p>
<p>My impression is that there are very few. I think companies want people they can hire. You could probably find educational summer programs for high school students though but I think those would be completely different.</p>
<p>I have looked into the question myself, it seems that all the companies are hiring only college sophomores and up... </p>
<p>As much as we might want to do the work, in all honesty we aren't really qualified for it. The levels at which the industry functions requires much more knowledge.</p>
<p>Also, the competition is enormous, so even if you are a college student, you aren't guaranteed anything. </p>
<p>... My 2 cents</p>
<p>edited.......................</p>
<p>racnna, I assume that this was after your college freshman year, correct?
If that is the case, this is of little use to OP, who is a HS sophomore</p>
<p>Check local companies... some have programs for high school students. A local but fairly large company that I worked for had a program for high schools students and they rotated them around the office in different engineering/construction/surveying/IT type positions. Also, just call places. Get a resume together and get out and sell yourself! </p>
<p>Also... from my experience, the competition isn't that great as an earlier poster stated. I literally had 5 offers for internships the summer after my sophomore year. 2 after my freshman year. It's all about how aggressive you are in contacting places and getting in there for an interview. This year I called probably 12 companies and asked if they had any internships available and if so who could I send my resume to. I sent like 8-9 resumes, got called for 6 interviews(mostly phone because I don't go to school in the area), got 5 offers. You may have to broaden your specific engineering field of interest but I'm sure you can find something. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Herr Mull- i'll admit i didn't even read the OP's post...</p>
<p>You can also try volunteer work at engineering companies. It's a good way to gain experience and to see if you're really suited for the engineering field. I don't think companies would turn you down if you simply want to volunteer. I mean, what does the company have to lose? They have all to gain, since they won't be paying.</p>
<p>Try contacting city agencies. I know a student who wrote a letter to the department of buildings and got a great internship that helped him get into a great school.
as well as the above posters comments, I doubt any company would pay a 14-15 year old. If you simply write a letter asking to volunteer for the company over the summer that'll help you and will be just as good as an internship. For a HS student anyway</p>
<p>ask your professor</p>
<p>To be clear, I was planning on going for an unpaid Internship anyway!</p>
<p>There's a huge gap between the high school level and the professional level. Most high-schoolers don't have the necessary background. So no matter how passionate you are, you'll probably end up making coffee.</p>
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There's a huge gap between the high school level and the professional level. Most high-schoolers don't have the necessary background. So no matter how passionate you are, you'll probably end up making coffee.
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<p>I've done a search for Internships on CC and found there's a really common perception that High Schoolers don't get decent work at all. To be frank, I'm working with an Advocacy Group where I manage the web site and research info for them (sure I also do stuff like making copies etc but I'm saying it is possible for High School students to find decent work)</p>
<p>Sure, you can find work, but is it even close to engineering?</p>
<p>Figure out how to use autocad and/or microstation and they'll take you. It may not be in your field of choice but it'll be "engineering" of some sort. You can do light drafting. Grab yourself a manual and a copy of the software(you can get a student edition free from autodesk I think) and if you're a smart person you can figure out the basics in a week or so. Maybe my perception of how easy it is to get an internship is warped because I'm a civil and they're desperate. Good luck!</p>
<p>how about externships?</p>
<p>I don't think our school offers externships...</p>
<p>My schools nursing program has them, otherwise I've never seen one.</p>