<p>Sorry if this is in the wrong category I'm new to this site. </p>
<p>So I'm a high school junior looking for something to do over the summer to familiarize myself with the computer science major and career field. I live close enough to Stanford and UCB that I could commute daily if need be. I've looked all over their websites for links to some summer programs or profs I can discuss opportunities with but pretty much all the links are obsolete or broken. </p>
<p>I want a program that takes maybe 20~30 hrs weekly (I also have basketball and community college over the summer) and that is within a hour's commute. Unpaid/paid doesn't really matter. Any suggestions? Direct links, referrals, or just some advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Just start cold calling/emailing professors that are doing work you are interested in. You are probably better off looking for structured programs for high schoolers because most professors are probably looking for students who have some experience (either college classes in the field or previous research). A lot of freshman aren’t considered for research positions because they dont have either of those things (usually).</p>
<p>Cast a wide net and see what you reel in!</p>
<p>I’m not saying this is your case, but I have seen far too many students on CC searching far and low for “research opportunities” because they’ve seen so many kids here getting into top schools with it. The truth is, it’s valued because it marks unusual skills and talent and helps when linked with publication or novel findings. (This research obsession has become analogous to the “OMG! Let me start a nonprofit” movement.)</p>
<p>Frankly, far less than 1% of high school students have the necessary skills and knowledge to be of any use to a professor in a research project. You’re not likely to have much success getting a professor to have you because it will cost them more (in time, supervision, and energy) than they will get out of it. And even if you’re able to find someone to take you unpaid and do the discipline-specific job of cleaning test tubes, it won’t be some magic item on your college application.</p>
<p>This is my creative idea. Go to an Apple store or some other computer store and ask if you can shadow an employee a couple of days a week. Just inhale, take in the dialogue, the scene and the needs of the customers.</p>