.png?width=50&name=author-image%20(2).png)
Once in high school, summers matter. Every summer provides a chance to build your college application, so make sure to do something impactful. In fact, some college applications specifically ask what you managed to achieve during your summers--make sure you have something important to say!
1. Apply for an Internship
Companies hire very few high school interns. Therefore, there are only a very few, ultra-competitive slots for internships. However, if you manage to get one of these slots, you'll be able to not only have valuable work experience but also have a compelling activity on your college resume.
There are a few ways to find these internships. Here are some incredible established programs that look for talented high schoolers. Alternatively, a more common way to find a high school internship would be to use your connections--ask the adults you know, such as your parents and your friends' parents, if they can find a temporary position for you.
2. Join a Research Project
Start emailing professors at a local college and see if you can join them for a summer. Some labs allow high school students to come in and perform some basic functions like reading through studies, setting up experiments, and other helpful tasks. If you want to pursue a medical career, getting lab experience during high school will be incredibly useful experience. However, research geared towards other subjects such as computer science and history often still appreciate high school interns.
3. Start Your Own Business
If you have a great idea for a product or service that could help your community, summer is the perfect time to try and develop that idea. You can also write about your experiences developing your business within your college applications! Just make sure that you have something to show for your business at the end of the summer so you can put in on your resume!
4. Shadow Someone
If you already believe you know what career path you think you'll succeed in, try to find a professional in that field who will let you shadow them. You'll be able to watch and take notes on the day-to-day of the professionals and see whether her job actually appeals to you. You may even get to learn some employable skills that’ll help you in the future. Shadowing is most common in the health-related professions, but feel free to still reach out to non-medical professionals!
And, on the side:
Outside of your main summer activity, there's still many other activities that you should consider doing. This includes: visiting colleges, studying for standardized tests, and volunteering,
Though you should keep your summers busy, make sure to still take some time to enjoy yourself and relax--after all, it is summer!