<p>I’ve been interested in doing so at Rice University in the Economics Department, but I wasn’t sure if such solicitation would be considered unorthodox for a high school student; especially at such an institution.</p>
<p>But I’ve seen many here at CC that have managed to do it.</p>
<p>Anyone?</p>
<p>The profs often are friends of their family.
The students may have taken college classes with the prof, and done very well, including demonstrating real interest and talent in the prof’s field.
The student may have a longtime interest in a field, and then researched and contacted a professor whose interests are in the same field. This goes beyond a student’s reading the newspaper now and then to see how the stock market is doing, and then contacting some economics or business prof at random to ask for an internship.</p>
<p>The kind of interest that I am referring to would be something like a student’s having researched for History Fair an obscure local suffragette, and consequently becoming very interested in such forgotten women activists. Afterward, the student learns that a local prof is an expert on women’s history, and the student then contacts the professor to get information about how the student can follow-up on their own interest in the suffragette by publishing an article reflecting their research.</p>
<p>Students who basically contact a prof at random, and have no history of real involvement or demonstrated interest in the professor’s field aren’t likely to get taken on for “internships” or other opportunities unless the profs are family friends.</p>
<p>Taking on a student “intern” is extra work, and is a waste of time for the prof if the student is only trying to pad their resume for college. If, however, a student has demonstrated involvement and excitement about a professor’s field, the prof may be willing to take the student on despite the extra work.</p>
<p>PERFECT answer. Thank you!</p>