Are you a freshman or sophomore just starting to think about careers or future internships? It might feel like formal internships are still far away, and that’s often true. But it’s never too early to start exploring interests and building basic skills! There are plenty of valuable pre-internship experiences perfect for younger high school students, like arranging a job shadow high school opportunity or finding meaningful volunteer opportunities teen roles offer.

💡 Pro tip: Start your journey with Cirkled In—an easy way to track your experiences and stand out to future colleges and employers.

Thinking About Careers Early (It’s Not Too Soon!)

Even if you have no idea what you want to do, 9th and 10th grade are great times for career exploration freshmen and sophomores can begin. It’s less about finding the job and more about:

• Discovering what subjects you enjoy.
• Learning about different types of work environments.
• Developing basic skills like responsibility, communication, and teamwork.
• Figuring out what you don’t like, which is just as valuable!

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Why Focus on Pre-Internship Experiences?

Formal internships often require specific skills or target older students (juniors/seniors). Pre-internship experiences help you:

• Build foundational skills employers and colleges look for.
• Explore career fields in a low-pressure way.
• Gain content for future resumes and applications (resume builders high school students need).
• Develop maturity and responsibility.
• Make connections in your community.

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Exploring Careers Through Job Shadowing

Job shadowing means spending a few hours or a day observing someone as they do their job.

• What it offers: A realistic glimpse into the day-to-day tasks and environment of a specific career. Great for ruling fields in or out.
• How to arrange it:
  • Start with your network: Ask parents, family friends, neighbors, or teachers if they know someone in a field that interests you.
  • Reach out politely (email is good) explaining you’re a student exploring careers and would appreciate observing for a short time.
  • Be specific about your interest if possible.
  • Focus on observation, asking thoughtful questions when appropriate.

A job shadow high school experience is excellent for exploration.

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Gaining Skills via Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering shows initiative and allows you to develop skills while helping your community.

• What it offers: Opportunities to practice teamwork, communication, responsibility, problem-solving, and specific skills related to the organization’s work (e.g., animal care, tutoring, event planning).
• Where to find opportunities:
  • Local non-profits (animal shelters, food banks, libraries, hospitals – check age requirements).
  • School clubs focused on service.
  • Community centers or religious organizations.
  • Websites like VolunteerMatch or Points of Light.

Look for volunteer opportunities teen roles provide that align with potential interests.

Want a place to collect and showcase all these experiences? Cirkled In helps you build a portfolio that grows with you.

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Building Something with Personal Projects

Use your free time to explore interests independently.

• What it offers: Demonstrates passion, initiative, self-directed learning, and specific skills.
• Examples:
  • Learning to code and building a simple website or app.
  • Starting a blog or YouTube channel about a hobby.
  • Writing stories or creating artwork.
  • Building something (a model, a garden box, fixing electronics).
  • Conducting independent research on a topic that fascinates you.

Document your projects for future applications.

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Other Foundational Experiences

• Part-Time Jobs: Even jobs in retail or food service build valuable skills.
• School Activities: Clubs, sports, and arts develop teamwork, time management, and specific talents. Taking on leadership roles is a plus.
• Summer Programs: Academic or enrichment programs can expose you to new subjects or skills.

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How These Help Your Future Internship Search

These early experiences make you a stronger candidate for formal internships later because they show:

• Initiative and curiosity.
• Demonstrated interest in certain fields.
• Basic responsibility and work ethic.
• Developing skills.
• You’ve started thinking about your future.

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Final Thought: Start Exploring Now

Don’t worry if you can’t land a formal internship as a freshman or sophomore. Focus on pre-internship experiences like arranging a job shadow high school visit, finding meaningful volunteer opportunities teen roles allow, and pursuing personal projects. These activities build essential skills, help you explore interests, and create strong resume builders high school students can use when applying for internships and college later on. Start exploring!

Need more tips on college applications, scholarships, or just how to survive this whole process? Cirkled In has your back—check out Cirkled In resources to help you through every step of your college journey!Check out Cirkled In and start owning your future today!