Why Do Teens Need Internships?

Dear Fellow Teen Interns,

The big question everyone keeps asking: Why intern? Why now? Why should you, as a teen, step into the world of work when you could be doing literally anything else?

Here's the real talk: You get to learn quicker and grow faster than you ever thought possible. Why intern? To figure out what actually excites you (or bores you to death). You get to try stuff, mess up, learn, and grow all before adulting hits hard. Trust us – 100% recommend.

The "I'm Just a Teen" Myth

"But I'm just a teen. Should I even be thinking about this stuff?" We hear this all the time. Here's the thing – that's exactly why you should. You've got time to explore, to mess up, to try something real. Think of it like boarding a train while it's still slow, while people are still finding their seats. The world of work is moving, and right now, you've got the best chance to hop on.

We think 'teen' means too early. But it actually means 'right on time.' You don't have to wait to be older to matter. You matter now too. You can add value now too. You just have to be brave, maybe awkward, make mistakes and own up to them, and explore things you've never done before.

What Parents, Schools, and Companies Really Think

Parents' Perspective: For most parents, especially ours, success has always meant one thing – safety. A job, a degree, a paycheck. They see internships as proof of progress towards a safe and happy future. They're not just asking us to learn skills; they're asking us to figure out the world early, because they didn't get to. It's pressure with love hidden underneath.

Schools' Perspective: Schools are trying to keep up. They know college apps are changing. Grades don't scream potential anymore – experience does. It's not enough to say you're 'passionate about biology.' You gotta show you shadowed a geneticist or at least watered the lab plants. They're creating space for us to experiment, fail, and grow, even if they don't always know how.

Companies' Perspective: Here's the surprising part – companies don't just need interns. Interns need companies to learn, grow, and explore the real world. When companies get that we care about meaning, purpose, and impact, they're surprised in a good way. When we give teenagers meaningful work, they rise to the occasion and often surprise everyone with just how ready they already are.

What You Actually Gain (Beyond the Resume)

Sure, everyone talks about resume boosts and certificates. But here's what really happens:

You own your voice in team settings and build micro-resilience
You understand power dynamics in workspaces and learn when to step back vs. push forward
You realize what excites and doesn't excite you – no more guessing
You become OK with asking "obvious" questions and sitting with ambiguity
You develop empathy for everyone involved – boss, teammate, parent
You learn to self-regulate in professional settings
You build social fluency – small talk, check-ins, work humor

The Gen Z Advantage

We grew up watching the world burn a little – pandemic, climate change, job layoffs. Adults tell us to plan our future while the planet's overheating. But we're also built different. We care about meaning, purpose, impact. We don't want to work for a paycheck; we want to work for something that matters.

Different doesn't mean weak. It just means we see the world through a new lens, and we're inviting others to adjust their focus. We're not fragile – we're the generation healing from things previous generations ignored.

Going the Extra Mile (Because You Will)

Here's what nobody tells you: everyone is going the extra mile, and it's not in the job description. You'll get into something expecting to just 'do your job,' but then you care. You see cracks, and suddenly, you want to patch them. It's not about impressing anyone – you just do more because now you see more.

Learn to C.A.R.E: Catch the Cracks (start seeing where you can pitch in), Act Anyway (you don't always need permission), Rise without a Role (lead without a title), and Elevate the Experience (do your part to make things better for everyone).

The Real Answer

Why intern? Because it teaches you to be uncomfortable. Because it exposes you to people better than you and forces you to grow. Because suddenly, your ideas aren't stuck in a school project – they matter. Because for the first time, someone outside your family actually sees what you're capable of.

Because you're not waiting for the world to hand you experience – you're out there grabbing it. Because maybe, just maybe, this is where the real story begins.

Landing an internship doesn't mean you've arrived. It just means the journey has started, and you keep moving, learning, and growing. Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand – we all have to do our part respectfully to make this world better and win over the trust of companies.

So here's to showing up. Here's to being brave. Here's to proving that teen interns aren't just the future – we're the present, ready to make our mark now.

Yours truly,
Fellow Teen Interns