How to Get Internships?

Dear Aspiring Interns,

So you're convinced that internships are worth it, but now you're thinking: "Okay, but HOW do I actually get one?" Don't worry – we've been there too, staring at blank application forms and wondering where to even start.

Think of this as your GPS – not just telling you where to go, but understanding who you are and how you move. Every good journey starts with clarity: What are you curious about? What problems do you want to solve? Your roadmap begins with asking the right questions.

The DPIR Framework: Your Internship Roadmap

How to Network with Your Peers: The BOND Method

Forget what you think you know about networking. It's not about fake handshakes and business cards – it's about building genuine connections with people who share your interests.

• Be Seen: Show up and make yourself visible. Whether it's a virtual internship or in-person opportunity, make sure your presence is known.
• Observe: Pay attention – not just visually, but through listening and understanding what's happening around you.
• Note: Capture your observations and interactions. Jot down names, preferences, hobbies, and interesting details.
• Do: Act on what you notice. Being proactive shows you care and builds trust.

BUILD Your Professional Character

The acronym BUILD represents the core qualities that make teen interns successful:

• Be Present: Engage fully with the people around you. Be present for others, not just with them.
• Understand: Know what your internship, mentor, and peers expect from you.
• Integrity: Be honest, ethical, and transparent in all you do.
• Learning: Stay open, ask questions, and absorb as much as you can from everyone.
• Dependable: Be consistently reliable and let people count on you every time.

Be the Captain of Your Own Ship

Here's the thing about internships: you've got to do your own push-ups. Nobody's going to spoon-feed you opportunities. In the context of internships, this means taking initiative – following up, writing your own emails, showing interest, and taking action rather than waiting for something to happen.

The Balancing Act: Managing Everything

Let's be real – juggling school, internships, and life is tough. Here's how to manage your time without burning out:

• Plan First: Know what you need to do and when. Write it down and organize it.
• Prioritize: Learn what needs to get done when and in what order.
• Schedule: If it's not on your calendar, it won't get done. Block out time for everything, including rest.
• Do It Now: When it's time to work, just take action. Don't procrastinate – use techniques like the Pomodoro method.

Zintern Tip: If a task takes less than 5 minutes, do it immediately – like sending an email, following up on a message, or adding a task to your calendar.

It's Never Too Early (Seriously!)

Some people might tell you that you're "starting too early" and have "a lot of time" before picking a career. Here's the truth: it's never too early to explore. Starting early helps you distinguish between your likes and dislikes, and internships are perfect for that. You won't be perfect at everything you do at first, but you'll slowly develop necessary skills for jobs and maybe even find hidden passions.

Working with Parents: The Support System

Your parents want the best for you, but internships might be new territory for them too. Here's how to get them on board:

• Explain what you're doing: Show your reflections and tell them about your mentor, projects, and learnings.
• Involve them: Ask for their feedback on your work – they're professionals too.
• Let them see your courage: Show them it takes guts to email strangers, be the youngest in meetings, and handle rejection.

When parents shift from "What is this?" to "Wow, you're doing this?" – it changes everything.

Real-World Skills That Actually Matter

These aren't textbook skills, but they're the ones that make internships work and help you feel like a real professional:

• Writing emails that don't sound robotic
• Following up without sounding desperate
• Googling everything (literally everything)
• Saying "thank you" like you mean it
• Asking questions (especially the simple ones)
• Scheduling meetings across time zones
• Owning your mistakes
• Listening more than talking

The Future Is Now, Not Someday

By the time we're in college, most jobs we'll apply for don't even exist yet. Internships aren't about specific roles – they're about building readiness. The ability to switch, learn, navigate ambiguity, and lead. To figure it out when no one gives you the answer key.

That's what the future demands, and internships – real ones, messy ones, impactful ones – build that readiness now. Not someday.

For Schools: Setting Up Internship Programs

Want to help your entire school access internship opportunities? Here's how to build a proper program:

• Companies: Connect with organizations through parent and alumni networks
• Process: Build a system for internship listing, selection, execution, and mentoring
• Students: Prepare your students with the right skills and professional attitude
• Growth: Measure and document student development throughout the process

For Companies: Working with Teen Interns

We're not just shadows or checkbox items. We bring fresh eyes, tech fluency, fearless questions, and honest perspectives. Treat us like contributors – not just kids – and we'll surprise you every time.

Give us real projects, meaningful mentorship, and the chance to contribute actual value. The companies that understand this aren't just giving back – they're learning faster and building better connections with the next generation.

Your Journey Starts Now

Remember, most teens are waiting for permission, but you're reading this, which means you've already started moving. The world needs what you bring to the table – your energy, your questions, your perspective, and your willingness to learn.

So here's to taking that first step, sending that first email, and showing up ready to contribute. The internship world is waiting for you, and trust us – you're more ready than you think.

Now stop reading and start doing your own push-ups!

Ready to launch,
Your Fellow Teen Interns