What Are the Best Gap Year Internships for High School Graduates?

I'm considering taking a gap year before college and would love to gain some hands-on experience. Does anyone know of some good internship opportunities for students in this phase? Any tips on where to look?

Certainly! First off, securing an internship during your gap year is a commendable step. It can provide you with practical skills, professional networking, and valuable experience in your field of interest.

For starters, your search strategy should be highly dependent on your interests, career aspirations, and geographical availability. Here are a few sectors and opportunities that often have internships suited to a high school graduate:

1. Non-Profit Organizations: Many non-profits welcome interns to help out with a variety of tasks. While these positions aren't usually paid, they can offer a great chance to develop new skills and work potentially towards a future job. Some to consider might be American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, or local non-profits in your area.

2. Startups: Startups often provide exciting and dynamic environments where you could wear many hats. AngelList is a good platform to find internship opportunities at startups.

3. Government and Political Internships: If you are interested in politics or public service, an internship with a local representative, senator, or city department can be eye-opening.

4. Retail and Customer Service: Although these might not be traditional "internships," working in a customer-facing role can provide valuable skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Companies like Nordstrom, Target, and Starbucks often have programs in place.

5. Media & Entertainment Companies: If you have a penchant for anything related to media, several large corporations like Disney, NBCUniversal, and ViacomCBS have internship programs that high school graduates can apply to.

Remember, when it comes to looking for internships, leverage your connections as well—former teachers, family friends, or local business owners may have opportunities or leads for you. Also register on popular job platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, or Monster and set alerts for internships in the fields you are interested in.

Finally, as you're looking at these opportunities, ensure that doing an internship aligns with the other goals you might have for your gap year (like travel, language learning, or self-discovery). A gap year is a unique period of your life that won't come around again, so make sure you're using it in ways that you will find fulfilling!