Yes, high school is already an intense period in any student’s life. Homework gets more challenging, teachers become more demanding, and free time turns scarcer than ever before.
That said, passing over opportunities that go beyond the demands of your curriculum is a mistake. Whether you want to boost your chances of admission to your dream college or develop valuable skills, these opportunities are worth exploring.
But what opportunities are we talking about, exactly? Keep reading to discover the main types and various examples of opportunities for students:
- Leadership opportunities
- Internships
- Summer programs
- Scholarships
What Are the Opportunities for Students in the U.S.?
High school opportunities span everything from internships to scholarships and research summer programs. Here’s a short recap of the key types of opportunities any high schooler should consider:
- Internships, apprenticeships, and work placements that allow you to explore careers and gain real-world work experience
- Research programs that let you conduct your own research, typically under the guidance of one or several mentors
- Study abroad programs that allow you to travel, explore another country, and gain multicultural experience while studying
- Job shadowing programs that enable you to explore different career options
- Volunteering opportunities that combine community service, network building, and skill development
Why pursue these opportunities? Well, the exact benefits depend on the opportunity, but they all help you build a network and develop valuable skills. Plus, they can get you one step closer to your goals, such as building a successful career or getting into a highly selective school.
Leadership Opportunities for High School Students
No matter the field you want to study or work in, leadership is one of those skills that both admission officers and employers always look for. After all, it shows you can take initiative, work with others, and get things done.
Here’s some good news: you don’t have to wait until adulthood to gain leadership experience. These five opportunities will help you develop your leadership skills:
- Run for student government. Getting elected as a class council member or the class president lets you get leadership experience without leaving the school. You’ll have to learn how to organize events, work with budgets, and fulfill your responsibilities.
- Join a student organization. Most extracurricular clubs have a board. Run for one if you want to take on a more active role in its activities. Alternatively, you can initiate smaller projects within the club (e.g., setting up a community garden) or start your own organization.
- Land a job or internship. Yes, you probably won’t be responsible for a whole team or project in a professional capacity. Still, you’ll have your responsibilities as an intern or employee. Prioritize the opportunities that let you work on a personal project, especially if it’s a team effort.
- Sign up for a sports team. Team sports like football and basketball require players to come together and work as a single unit. So, check out the tryouts schedule at your high school or in your community. Remember: leadership isn’t about a position, so you don’t have to be dead set on becoming the team captain!
- Take part in a competition. Some competitions are open only to teams, from debate competitions to science fairs and Olympiads. Check out competitions available locally, get qualified for the nationals, or shoot for the stars by signing up for an international contest.
Internship Opportunities for High School Students
Internships are limited-time opportunities to gain real-world work experience, and they can be paid or unpaid. You can find an internship in both the public and private sectors.
Internships are great because they offer mentorship and real-world experience in a professional setting. Plus, they give you a chance to build a professional network. Besides, if you land a paid internship, you can also earn some money to finance your future studies!
How to Find Internships in High School
The best way to find an internship is by starting small and asking around. Talk to your guidance counselor, teachers, friends, and family members; chances are, they can suggest an opportunity or two in your immediate vicinity.
If that doesn’t work out, reach out to local businesses and organizations. Ask directly, or at least browse their websites and social media profiles. Walk around your neighborhood; pay attention to the bulletin boards outside or in local coffee shops and libraries.
4 Top Internships for High School Students
Want to shoot for the stars? Here are the four best-known (and arguably most prestigious) internships you can land while in high school:
- NASA internships. There are tons of NASA internships high school students can apply for, many of them paid. Discover them on the NASA portal.
- Microsoft Discovery Program. This four-week program is your gateway to exploring the inner workings of a Big Tech corporation in Redmond, Washington, or Atlanta, Georgia.
- Met High School Internship. If you’re in grade 11 or 12 and want to connect with art, the Met offers a summer internship with a $1,100 stipend.
- Scripps Student Research Internships. The SRTI welcomes high schoolers passionate about health sciences for a ten-week summer program.
Summer Opportunities for High School Students
Many colleges and universities offer summer programs for high school students. They typically require full-time attendance, with participation free or subject to tuition and/or housing and catering fees. The activities themselves can focus on enriching your knowledge, developing your skills, or providing real-world research experience.
Here are just four such summer programs you might want to consider:
- Harvard Pre-College Program. This intensive two-week program is the ultimate on-campus Harvard experience. During it, you’ll take a non-credit college-level course, participate in creative and social activities, and discover your passions.
- MIT Research Science Institute. Every summer, the MIT campus welcomes 100 dedicated students from around the world for a cost-free research experience. It’s ideal for anyone interested in STEM in general and the research cycle in particular.
- Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes. If you want to challenge yourself with college-level material, this program is for you. You can choose from 70+ live online courses delivered by Stanford’s faculty.
- Yale Young Global Scholars. During this two-week interdisciplinary summer program, students from the U.S. and other countries come together for lectures, seminars, and more.
Student Scholarship Opportunities: U.S. Edition
If you can’t afford tuition fees for your future studies, consider financial aid before jumping into loan applications. For example, scholarships are known as “free money” because they don’t need to be repaid. They come in two forms: need-based scholarships and merit-based ones.
It’s not too early to start working on your financing options. Here are the available scholarships at the five top universities in the U.S.
Note: Every college and university has its own financial aid options.
Stanford University Scholarships
The university grants its own need-based scholarships to students without a separate application required. The average scholarship awarded by Stanford amounted to $66,259 for the class of 2028.
On top of that, the university’s students can also be eligible for federal grants (e.g., the Federal Pell Grant) and external scholarships (e.g., Going Merry, Big Future, Scholly Scholarships).
Yale University Scholarships
Yale University strives to cover 100% of every student’s financial needs without loans. For example, the Yale Scholarship is a need-based scholarship that averages at $65,000. Yale Club or Association Scholarships are also available.
Plus, you can combine the university’s financial aid with merit-based scholarships from external sources (e.g., employers, nonprofits).
University of New Haven Scholarship
The University of New Haven automatically considers your eligibility for merit-based scholarships when you apply for undergraduate studies. If approved, you’ll receive between $15,000 and $33,000 per academic year. However, you’ll have to reapply every year.
Other scholarships include:
- Honors Scholarship ($1,000)
- Marching Band Scholarship ($1,000-3,000)
- Portfolio Scholarship ($1,000-4,000)
- Pompea Scholarship ($3,000)
University of Memphis Scholarships
The University of Memphis awards merit-based scholarships based on the GPA and (optionally) test scores. They include:
- Cecil C. Humphreys Presidential Scholarship ($7,000 per year)
- Provost Scholarship ($6,000 per year)
- Dean’s Scholarship ($5,000 per year)
There are also two high-achievement scholarships:
- National Merit Finalist and Semi-Finalist Scholarship ($15,000 per year)
- Valedictorian Scholarship ($1,000 per year)
University of Minnesota Fellowship
If you’re planning to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Minnesota, its fellowship opportunities will help you fund your studies. Designed to support prospective researchers, they include:
- DOVE Fellowship for students looking to advance equity, diversity, and social justice
- National Science Foundation Fellowship for STEM students
- Torske Klubben for students interested in Norway or connected to the country
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there’s really no shortage of opportunities for students, even if you’re still in high school. All you have to do is start looking!
While you’re at it, remember that you don’t have to go big or go home. Spending several summer weeks at a local lab or preparing a project for the state’s science fair won’t be any less exciting or fruitful than an internship at NASA. Prestige and name recognition don’t matter as much as what you make out of your opportunity!