lookingforward

I'm aware of hs kids who did get U intern-type opportnities, usually in science or lab work. It depends on the work being done, the help needed, your potential value, and whether they have someone available to mentor you (prof or grad student.) Ie, not just because you want this experience. Chances are better if you don't expect to be paid and can be very flexible about hours and the number of weeks. And, willing to do what they want, even if it's low level.

dasdui

should I let the prof know through an email that I don't want to be paid?

lookingforward

Only you know the nature of the conversation and how encouraging he was (or not.) This may be a case where you can send a follow-up email thanking him for the time and explaining a few relevant things. Not to long, not too short.

Don't just title this one "internship" or such. I'd think about "Follow up to 10Jul conversation." That sort of thing. Give him an instant sense of what's up. Good luck.

If this doesn't work out, in the end, ask him if you may contact him again, for the following year or summer.

RacinReaver

I don't recall ever having a high school student in our lab that was paid, so I imagine the assumption is that you won't be.

dasdui

@lookingforward- should I give him a call if he doesn't reply by about mid-next week? ( I actually did speak with him on July 10th!)

lookingforward

If you were my kid, I'd say you are probably ok with just the email, now that you've spoken. I think now you're just doing a one-way follow-up. For now. Someone else may have their own experience to share.
I'd also suggest that, if your email address is cryptic, put your name in the subject line: John Smith, follow-up....
The die is now cast, so to say. Good luck. Keep looking.

dasdui

@lookingforward- I sent the follow up email today.

dasdui

So I receive a similar email from another professor, but he says that he has to check with hospital policy (he researches at a hospital) to see if he can bring me in as an intern. Do you think the hospital will allow this?

RacinReaver

I imagine it all depends on your age for liability/insurance issues.

dasdui

agreed. will they accept a 17year old?

RacinReaver

Don't know. I had issues working at an engineering company at that age, but I had friends that were volunteer EMTs and such at the same time. I think it all depends on the kind of liability they can take on.

Pellinen

I accepted 16 yo HS kids for summer internships and my son volunteered for a colleague of mine (university professor as well) when he was 15.

aunt bea

My daughter had a HS internship in a UCSD lab. She was required to have lab experience for a hs biotech class. She was working with a colleague of mine UNTIL they found out she was under 18 and they denied her continuation in the program.

How did they find out? She was interpreting for several visiting Ph.D Chinese students, she has excellent communication skills (Mom is a speech pathologist) and daughter could understand some of the mandarin-accented English. I guess the directors asked her what year she was in college and she responded that she was only in high school. They were impressed, but they realized it was an insurance liability.