4 answers
Norbert
Student
Newark, New Jersey
6
Questions
Updated
1678 views
How to get a job at 13?
I am a 13-year-old looking for jobs in STEM. I could also just be shadowing, an intern, a helper/assistant, or something else that is working. Paid or unpaid.
4 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1942
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Norbert exposure to STEM through jobs or internships, such as assistant roles in science camps, junior coding workshops, or project-based internships with local tech companies, serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it will allow you to see the practical applications of their studies, thereby reinforcing your interest and understanding of complex STEM carries. Work and intern experiences are among the most significant factors when embarking on a career path.
• LADDER INTERNSHIPS: Is a fairly selective program founded by Harvard alumni, pairing high school students with startups and nonprofits worldwide for virtual internships. You can choose the field you wish to work in, from a wide range of STEM fields, including technology, machine learning, AI, computer science, environmental science, healthcare, medicine, biotech, and more. This internship program includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, among other skills, and group training sessions with fellow interns. You will be paired with a manager at the startup and with a Ladder coach, who serves as a second mentor. As a high school Intern it require 5-10 hours a week to work on assigned tasks and to meet company management. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. The internship opportunities in this program span the globe, with a concentration in the U.S., Asia, Europe, and the UK. The program's emphasis on hands-on experience allows you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, fostering a sense of confidence and adaptability in future STEM careers.
Hope this will be helpful Norbert, good luck
• LADDER INTERNSHIPS: Is a fairly selective program founded by Harvard alumni, pairing high school students with startups and nonprofits worldwide for virtual internships. You can choose the field you wish to work in, from a wide range of STEM fields, including technology, machine learning, AI, computer science, environmental science, healthcare, medicine, biotech, and more. This internship program includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, among other skills, and group training sessions with fellow interns. You will be paired with a manager at the startup and with a Ladder coach, who serves as a second mentor. As a high school Intern it require 5-10 hours a week to work on assigned tasks and to meet company management. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. The internship opportunities in this program span the globe, with a concentration in the U.S., Asia, Europe, and the UK. The program's emphasis on hands-on experience allows you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, fostering a sense of confidence and adaptability in future STEM careers.
Hope this will be helpful Norbert, good luck
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
517
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Check out school clubs, local libraries, or science museums for teen STEM volunteer programs like STEM·E Youth. Join Code Club, a worldwide network of free coding clubs, or CoderDojo, a community offering coding workshops on programming, electronics, games, and robotics. FreeCodeCamp and Exercism help you build coding skills and practice different programming languages with free exercises and mentors. Major League Hacking (MLH) offers free hackathons, workshops, and online events where teens can create projects, learn new technologies, and work with others. You can also join online programs like the Junior Academy, Letters to a Pre-Scientist, and Create & Learn, which offer hands-on STEM projects, coding, robotics, AI learning, and mentorship from home.
Get involved in community-led virtual programs like student-run robotics clubs, online coding circles, and STEM mentorship programs where teens help each other with coding, robotics, physics, and game design. Free robotics resources include RoboBlockly, beginner-friendly FIRST projects, and community meetups using LEGO robotics or drones. These opportunities let teens explore their interests, build skills, connect with mentors and peers, and get ready for future STEM internships or work experiences.
Get involved in community-led virtual programs like student-run robotics clubs, online coding circles, and STEM mentorship programs where teens help each other with coding, robotics, physics, and game design. Free robotics resources include RoboBlockly, beginner-friendly FIRST projects, and community meetups using LEGO robotics or drones. These opportunities let teens explore their interests, build skills, connect with mentors and peers, and get ready for future STEM internships or work experiences.
Rebecca Aidoo
Fashion specialists
20
Answers
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
At age 13, getting a traditional “job” in STEM can be challenging because of labor laws and safety requirements, but this is actually a great time to build experience, curiosity, and skills that will open doors later. Many successful STEM professionals began by exploring, learning, and helping rather than holding formal paid roles.
A strong first step is to look for shadowing or mentorship opportunities. This can involve asking a teacher, family friend, university student, or professional if you can observe their work for a few hours or days. Shadowing helps you understand what STEM careers really look like and shows initiative.
You can also pursue unpaid internships or assistant roles in safe, age-appropriate environments such as science labs at schools, community tech hubs, robotics clubs, libraries, or nonprofit organizations. Even helping with simple tasks—organizing materials, assisting during workshops, or supporting experiments—counts as valuable experience.
Another excellent option is to build experience through projects and competitions. Participating in coding challenges, robotics teams, science fairs, math Olympiads, or online STEM programs allows you to learn real skills while creating something you can proudly showcase. These projects often matter more than paid work at this age.
Volunteering is equally powerful. Many organizations need help with tech support, data entry, tutoring younger students, environmental projects, or digital literacy programs. Volunteering demonstrates responsibility, teamwork, and problem-solving—key STEM skills employers and mentors look for.
Most importantly, stay curious and confident. Keep learning through online courses, books, experiments, and practice. Document what you learn in a notebook or portfolio. Even without a formal job title, every skill you gain now is an investment in your future.
Starting early is a strength—not a disadvantage. With consistency, curiosity, and the willingness to learn, you are already on the right path in STEM.
A strong first step is to look for shadowing or mentorship opportunities. This can involve asking a teacher, family friend, university student, or professional if you can observe their work for a few hours or days. Shadowing helps you understand what STEM careers really look like and shows initiative.
You can also pursue unpaid internships or assistant roles in safe, age-appropriate environments such as science labs at schools, community tech hubs, robotics clubs, libraries, or nonprofit organizations. Even helping with simple tasks—organizing materials, assisting during workshops, or supporting experiments—counts as valuable experience.
Another excellent option is to build experience through projects and competitions. Participating in coding challenges, robotics teams, science fairs, math Olympiads, or online STEM programs allows you to learn real skills while creating something you can proudly showcase. These projects often matter more than paid work at this age.
Volunteering is equally powerful. Many organizations need help with tech support, data entry, tutoring younger students, environmental projects, or digital literacy programs. Volunteering demonstrates responsibility, teamwork, and problem-solving—key STEM skills employers and mentors look for.
Most importantly, stay curious and confident. Keep learning through online courses, books, experiments, and practice. Document what you learn in a notebook or portfolio. Even without a formal job title, every skill you gain now is an investment in your future.
Starting early is a strength—not a disadvantage. With consistency, curiosity, and the willingness to learn, you are already on the right path in STEM.
Steve J
Manager
35
Answers
Manhattan, Kansas
Updated
Steve’s Answer
At 13, the focus should be on learning, exposure, and building skills, not formal employment — and that’s completely okay. For STEM, great options include joining coding clubs, robotics teams, science fairs, or helping a teacher, local lab, or small tech business as a volunteer or shadow. You can also build small projects at home (apps, websites, experiments) and document what you learn.
When you start talking to mentors or applying for internships in a few years, practicing how you explain what you’ve built will matter a lot. This is where AI Interview Practice can help later on — tools like LockedIn AI are useful for learning how to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, even when you’re nervous.
For now, focus on curiosity, projects, and learning fundamentals. Those experiences will matter far more than a job title at 13, and they’ll put you way ahead when real opportunities open up.
When you start talking to mentors or applying for internships in a few years, practicing how you explain what you’ve built will matter a lot. This is where AI Interview Practice can help later on — tools like LockedIn AI are useful for learning how to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, even when you’re nervous.
For now, focus on curiosity, projects, and learning fundamentals. Those experiences will matter far more than a job title at 13, and they’ll put you way ahead when real opportunities open up.
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