High school students and their parents often wonder how to stand out when applying to top colleges. An Internship or job shadowing experience can be a great way to build your skills. If done right, they can be a game changer in your college applications.
Both types of experiences can add real-world skills related to a student’s major to their college application. They also show admissions officers a level of maturity that other applicants might lack. This quality is important to admissions officers especially when they evaluate personality and character traits. In this article, I explain how you can gain these experiences and how to leverage them for your admissions goals.
Why High School Internships and Job Shadowing Matter
Students often wonder if shadowing or internship experiences will help them build their candidacy. For fields like business, pre-med, pre-law, or architecture, it is best for students to take this chance.
That said, even if a student focuses on the humanities, an internship or shadowing can still help their application. This is true, especially if they can connect the experience to a key project they work on afterward. If you love history, for example, consider joining the New York Historical Society’s Student Historian Internship Program.
The main point is that this experience helps students show admissions officers more proof of their application theme. We call this their application persona at InGenius Prep.
Also keep in mind that internships and job shadowing are more than resume boosters—they offer students a chance to:
- Develop career-related skills and professionalism.
- Build a professional network that can open future doors.
- Enhance college applications by demonstrating initiative and commitment.
- Make informed decisions about their career paths.
Further, we can see how much a school values experiences like internships from their Common Data Set. The University of Pennsylvania thinks “Volunteer Work” and “Work Experience” are important for admissions. If you receive payment for your internship, you can list it as “Work Experience” on the Common App. If not, you can classify it as “Volunteering.”
Now, if your internship is a valuable experience, it could be the basis for one of your application essays. The University of Pennsylvania sees this as “Very Important.”
Each school may value this type of experience in different ways. However, internships and shadowing can enable students to identify their true interests in a field.
This can be helpful for writing parts of applications. For example, such interest exploration can assist in the “Why Major” supplemental essay. It can also add depth to the Common App’s activities section.
Now, to find your dream internship or shadowing experience, I would recommend that you take the following steps:
Step 1: Identify & Reflect on Your Goals
First, before jumping into the search, I recommend that you take a moment to reflect on what you’re aiming to achieve. Ask yourself:
What industries or fields are you interested in exploring?
Examples of industries include agriculture, healthcare, technology, and more. If you already have an industry in mind, I suggest you focus on a few specific areas within it. For example, if you are interested in business, consider learning about marketing or entrepreneurship. These are specific areas you can explore through shadowing or an internship.
What skills or insights do you hope to gain through an internship?
As an example, let’s say that you’re eager to learn more about the field of cybersecurity. You might want to learn skills like networking, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing tools through shadowing or an internship.
Are there specific tasks or career realities you’re curious about?
Internships and shadowing opportunities are great opportunities for asking questions. For example, you could inquire about career prospects for computer science majors or how to use natural language processing. These experiences can guide and inspire you to create your own niche projects.
Knowing your goals will help you target opportunities that align with your interests and aspirations. Further, answering these questions will also help you in case any of these opportunities require an interview!
Step 2: Leverage Your Network to Seek an Internship
Leveraging your network can be one of the fastest ways to find internships and shadowing experiences. Here’s how you can do so effectively:
- Tap into your immediate circle. Speak with teachers, counselors, family, friends, or church/community groups. Many professionals are happy to help students get their foot in the door.
- Expand to alumni and professors. Your high school’s alumni networks and professors with whom you may be conducting research often have industry connections. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for introductions or recommendations.
When making a request, I recommend that you be polite and specific. To shadow someone in marketing, for example, you can ask them like this:
“Can you connect me with someone in marketing who might let me shadow them?”
Step 3: Cold Emailing Done Right for Your Internship Search
When your network falls short, cold emailing companies, nonprofits, and labs is another strategy that could prove useful. To effectively reach out for an internship or shadowing experience, follow these steps:
- Research local companies. Use platforms like LinkedIn, Perplexity, or company websites. These can help you find potential employers in your field or industry. Look at the company’s mission and history as well as their “Contact Us” page.
- Personalize your email. Share why you admire the company or individual, what you hope to learn and contribute, and ask about shadowing opportunities.
- Follow up politely. If you don’t hear back in 3–5 days, send a courteous follow-up email. Persistence often pays off.
For an example of a shadowing request email, I suggest checking this UW-Madison resource. As you’ll see in the document, there are ways that you can turn a “no” into exciting new opportunities.
Step 4: Explore Formal Internship Platforms
Many high school internship opportunities are advertised through established platforms. Some top options include:
- LinkedIn: Build a profile and search for internships using the “Jobs” tab.
- Idealist.org: Great for finding non-profit or social impact opportunities.
- Glassdoor: Mainly a site for company reviews, salary information, and the job/internship search.
These platforms are incredibly helpful for high school students, especially in the USA, to find opportunities. However, the way to get internships and shadowing experiences can be vastly different in other countries. For example, below are some strategies and resources for students in Singapore to find meaningful experiences.
Singapore
Several hospitals in Singapore offer structured job shadowing programs for pre-university students:
- National University Hospital (NUH) provides a 2-3 day job shadowing program for JC-level students14. Priority is given to final-year or recently graduated high school students. However, note that this program has been temporarily halted due to COVID-19.
- Sengkang General Hospital offers job shadowing opportunities twice a year during the June and December school holidays.
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) has a job shadowing program for allied health professions, allowing students to explore careers in audiology, dietetics, orthoptics, and physiotherapy.
Many international schools in Singapore facilitate work experience opportunities for their students:
- Tanglin Trust School runs an annual “WEX Week” for Year 10 students.
- GESS offers a “BeyondClassrooms” program with internship opportunities at partner companies.
- United World College of Southeast Asia (UWCSEA) uses a system called “Connect” to share internship opportunities with their students. For example, one of the companies is Triple P Capital, which offers a one-month internship for their students.
No matter where you are, follow the tips below as you search for a suitable internship or shadowing opportunity:
- Professionalism: Always approach potential employers with a well-crafted resume and cover letter. Tailoring these documents to each application increases effectiveness.
- Persistence: Follow up politely if you don’t receive an immediate response. Demonstrating genuine interest can set you apart.
- Flexibility: Be open to unpaid opportunities initially, as they can lead to paid positions later.
Remember, the internship search is a numbers game. Don’t get discouraged if you face rejection. Keep applying and refining your approach.
Maximizing the Internship and Shadowing Experience for College Admissions
To truly leverage your internship or job shadowing experience for college applications, consider these strategic approaches:
Detailed Documentation
- Keep a structured digital journal documenting daily activities, projects, and responsibilities
- Record specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them
- Take photos (when appropriate and permitted) of projects or work environments
- Save any tangible outcomes, such as presentations, reports, or project deliverables
- Track achievements (e.g., “Analyzed 500+ customer responses” or “Increased social media engagement by 25%”)
Strategic Networking
- Build meaningful relationships with supervisors and colleagues
- Request informational interviews with professionals in different roles
- Create a LinkedIn profile and connect with colleagues professionally
- Request detailed letters of recommendation that highlight specific contributions and growth
- Maintain contact even after the experience ends through periodic updates
Thoughtful Reflection
- Write weekly reflection entries about your learning experiences
- Connect your internship experiences to your intended major or career goals
- Identify specific skills developed and how they align with your academic interests
- Consider how the experience has influenced your perspective on the field
- Document any moments that challenged your assumptions or sparked new interests
Strategic Application Integration
- Frame your experience in terms of college readiness and academic maturity
- Prepare specific anecdotes that demonstrate leadership, initiative, or problem-solving
- Connect your internship experience to broader themes in your application
- Use the experience to strengthen your “Why Major” essays
- Highlight how the experience has informed your academic and career goals
Portfolio Development
- Create a digital portfolio of your work (if applicable)
- Include relevant certificates or training completed during the experience
- Document any presentations or public speaking opportunities
- Save feedback or performance reviews
- Compile a list of technical skills or software proficiencies gained
Impact Assessment
- Measure and articulate your contributions to the organization
- Identify specific projects where you took initiative
- Document any innovations or improvements you suggested
- Track any mentoring or leadership roles you assumed
- Note any recognition or awards received
Remember: To leverage this effectively for your college admissions prospects, it’s important not just to intern or shadow somewhere. You also need to explain how they have influenced your academic interests, career goals, and personal growth. When writing about your experience in college applications, focus on specific examples that demonstrate your development rather than simply listing tasks or responsibilities.
Concluding Thoughts
As college admissions further evolves, hands-on experiences like internships and job shadowing are becoming increasingly important. They show initiative, maturity, and real interest in your field — qualities that top universities look for in applicants. By following the strategies above, you’ll be well-equipped to find an application-strengthening internship or shadowing experience.
Ready to transform your college admissions journey? InGenius Prep’s expert counselors are here to help you:
- Identify the most strategic internship and shadowing opportunities for your profile
- Craft compelling outreach messages to potential employers
- Develop strategies to maximize your experience for college applications
- Create powerful essays that showcase your experiences effectively
Contact us today to speak with our admissions experts. We look forward to empowering you to leverage these experiences for your dream schools!
