futurenyustudent

I'm trying to chase down an internship that I applied to a couple weeks ago, and usually they leave me one message or talk to me once and then I don't hear from them again. They keep saying they're "busy"-and even that response, I have to chase them down and call multiple times.

I wish people would just give a straight answer.

Nottingham

The problem is you're still in high school. Go get a summer job and wait till you're in college for the internships.

futurenyustudent

Me or chocobok?

chocobok

If you meant me, I can't get a summer job. I'm 15, and I am pretty sure I have to be 16 to work (for pay I think). I might though next year if I don't get into any summer programs.

chocobok

hmmm....I just though of something. I have student standing at the local community college, so can I apply for college student internships? Or vair, vair bad idea?

jdp349

Get a summer job instead. Trust me at 15 no one really expects too much from you, and you should enjoy that luxury for a year or two more.

Find a fun summer job though, and don't just grab something in retail at a mall. Try and find something you enjoy and that's relatively interesting. During my earlier high school summers I worked on a small cruise ship, in a vodka distillery, and enjoyed myself greatly.

chocobok

^ I would love to work at the local frozen yogurt shop...mmmm. Free frozen-yogurt every shift

jdp349

Two friends of mine actually worked at Ben and Jerry's shop for two summers and free ice cream was a major perk (for him and everyone that knew them). One is now at Tufts and the other is at Middlebury, both with awesome internships for this summer.

chocobok

My school's scheldule is all strange, so we have a 7-week break over summer. Long enough to hold down a job?
The reason I want an internship is so I can experience a sciency career first hand. I've been mostly humanities oriented in my EC's, but now I am starting to look into science as a real possiblity.
Plus next year, I am planning on attending a summer program of some sort.

AwesomeOpossum

I think 7 weeks is long enough, a lot of college kids get winter jobs for only like 4-5 weeks, so 7 should be enough too. If you're 15 finding a job or internship will be hard, you're just not old enough. I agree with what others have said, either you need a connection to a place you want to work at, start calling (not emailing, it takes much less effort to email than to pick up a phone and physically call someone, and you want them to think highly of you), or find a job where the age doesn't really matter and forget about an internship for this summer (i.e. babysitting or mowing lawns, working at a local store etc.)

chocobok

What about finding research with a professor?
Perhaps that would be better than doing an internship with a company?

Yeah and I'm not sure of my ability to find a job. We have a mall, 5 shopping centers, and over 50 restuarants in my neighborhood, but the summer before my sister went off to college (when she was 17) she had to apply to like 20 places before one place accepted her. I would probably be competing against college students/ maybe even adults, especially in this kind of economy.
My dad always says that nobody ever wants to give you the first job, especially if you're under 18.
It's a bit disheartenning, but I agree, I'm too young. Who in their right mind would want to hire a 15-year-old high schooler versus a 20-year old college student?

bearcats

try michael scott paper company

chocobok

^ lol...10char

chocobok

Does anyone know how employers consider 15-year-olds vs. 16? I always thought you had to be 16 in order to get a job, but I guess not. Is 16 and 17 yrs viewed differently than 15, or is it the same?

Also, anyone know of companies that have benefits for high school students? Like I know chick-fil-a gives out scholarships to their employees, but any other companies like this?

Flipper519

Ask your family, family friends, friends parents, or anyone who you meet about internships. Chances are, you will find someone who will be able to offer your something. Good internships usually come through networking.