<p>In our area, “internships” start after AP exams. </p>
<p>Students choose different projects – some actually work without pay in various jobs (and I am going to say up-front IMO that it is a BAD idea to have kids work without pay for for-profit businesses), some job-shadow, some do independent projects.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, please note that if a student has been holding down a job with a local employer, and being paid, they are not allowed to do a project or work for that employer for their internship paid or unpaid. Even though said employer might have an interesting project, and the student-employee might be the only qualified person that could do the project, since they are already in the company. Yes, bitter party of one.</p>