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Is doing an internship a good idea before college?

If I take an internship in business and then go to college for something else would that help or do nothing?

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Christopher’s Answer

Hi Brandon,

I think getting any kind of experience, whether through an internship or otherwise, before going to college is a great idea! Having some real-world experiences will help with your understanding and gaining context for some of the classes you will be taking.

However, if you're just starting on your college adventure, I would recommend asking yourself whether or not you have already figured out what your interests are and what you want to pursue as a career. In the majority of cases, the first two years of college are just general education courses (e.g. Math, English, Biology, etc.) and you will dive into more career-relevant classes afterwards. At this point, you will hopefully have gained a more solid idea of where you want to go with your life, and can have a more focused criteria of what kind of internship/job you want to apply for to gain experience with.

Once you have had the opportunity to explore college life and learning, or when you feel that you are ready to apply for internships, do your best in picking an internship that is related to the career you are aiming for. Don't just take an internship for the sake of adding experience to your resume; make sure the internship will help you learn and gain skills and knowledge you know will give you an upper hand when it comes future job applications and interviews.

In summary: While it's totally fine, and maybe even advantageous, to get an internship before college, I would recommend taking the time to experience and enjoy college first (at least for a couple years), and then reevaluating your interests to see what kind of internships/jobs you want to take on to build your resume!

Good Luck and Have Fun!
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Amina’s Answer

Typically, internships are geared towards college students and oftentimes will be something you can do for college credit. If you have an opportunity, whether it be an internship or apprenticeship, before joining college I would take it. Regardless of your eventual path, gaining some experience in the workplace and trying things out is in an invaluable learning experience. You could stand to gain a lot of knowledge that helps you decide what you want to major in.
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Chad’s Answer

Brandon,

Regardless of what you want to do in life, consider why you want to do it and make sure it is because you want to do it. There can be a tremendous amount of value from participating in an internship if that is something you want to pursue. The value however, may be different than you think. An internship may allow you to find a skill you didn't realize you had or give you the opportunity to meet someone that could change the trajectory of your career. Any time you try something there is always going to be value that comes out of it. Go into things with an open mind and embrace the challenges and people you meet along the way. But be sure to stay true to yourself and be sure it aligns with your values.
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David’s Answer

Such a good idea! It gives you a sense of what you want in a career – or, most importantly, what you *don’t* want. Sites like LinkedIn and Indeed, as well as college resources, are great for finding paid and unpaid internships. Summer, fall, winter, spring – no matter the season, companies are offering opportunities.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Hi, any experience in an internship will definitely help, regardless if you go into that major or another. Internships are meant to provide you with an understanding of a work environment AND to also help you understand if you like the work/job. Gaining knowledge before deciding will never hurt!
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Sikawayi’s Answer

Hello Brandon, this is a very good question. The only way I could see it being a good ideal for you to do your internship before college is if you plan on using the same company to intern at when you get in college. I could see this being a plus for you if you compare your new answers to the old ones then you could write a report for your professor on what areas you feel you have matured and where you can see you still need to grow. As far as taking an internship while you're in high school I say go for it I don't think it will matter that much when you get to college, but it'll be good for you. Best of luck
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