High school student jobs at Fortune 500 companies?

Has anyone had experience working at Fortune 500 companies while in high school? I'm curious if any of these companies have positions or programs for high schoolers. Would love to hear about any opportunities or advice on how to get started!

I can understand why you'd be interested in earning experience at a Fortune 500 company while still in high school. It can provide a leg up in the college admissions process and later job hunts.

While it's relatively rare, some Fortune 500 companies do offer programs specifically for high school students, often as part of their efforts to cultivate an early talent pipeline. These programs typically take the form of internships or cooperative education ("co-op") programs and can be quite competitive. They are also often concentrated in larger cities where many of these companies have their headquarters.

You could start by researching large corporations that operate in industries you're interested in. Look into whether they offer internships, job shadowing, or co-op opportunities for high schoolers. Some programs you could consider include the Microsoft High School Internship, Google's Computer Science Summer Institute, and Amazon's Future Engineer program.

Make sure to prepare yourself as best you can before applying. This might involve taking relevant classes, joining related clubs or organizations, or simply learning as much as possible about the industry and the company.

Remember that securing employment or an internship at a Fortune 500 company is only one way to get hands-on experience before college. There are many other opportunities available, such as volunteering, starting your projects or businesses, or working for smaller companies and startups.

The main thing colleges will be looking for is your initiative, your passion, and how you've pursued your interests and developed your skills. Even if you aren't able to secure a position at a Fortune 500 company, there are many ways to demonstrate these key traits.