Introduction: The Imperative of Pre-Collegiate Internships: From Confusion to Clarity

At Lesli, we share a deep-rooted conviction: the formative years of a student’s life must be harnessed for self-discovery, introspection, and strategic orientation. Within this paradigm, we contend that internships are crucial, and they must not be viewed as mere embellishments on students’ resumes, nor as perfunctory summer activities, but as invaluable experiences that forge character, foster clarity, and cultivate competence. Hence, we believe, one of the most impactful steps a high school student can take is participating in an internship before college.

Furthermore, in an era increasingly defined by precocity and professional agility, the earlier a young mind is exposed to the variegated tapestry of real-world experiences, the greater its capacity to make sound decisions regarding future academic and vocational pursuits. Be it the rigor of a legal office, the innovation of a tech startup, or the quiet impact of a local NGO, the sooner students are exposed to these environments, the earlier they can understand their aspirations with clarity.

Why Start Interning in High School?

It is observed that often academics in schools are relegated to rote learning and textbook regurgitation. Therefore, the post-school and pre-university years must be utilized by students for experiential enrichment. At this stage, internships offer a confluence of introspection, ambition, and acquisition of tangible skills. Many forward-thinking high schoolers are gaining early insights into the professional world, building confidence, and sharpening their skills through internships. Additionally, when paired with career counselling and aptitude assessments, these opportunities help students align real-world experiences with their inherent strengths and aspirations. Internships, in this context, provide self-awareness, which is tempered with experience and students can answer questions such as “What invigorates me? What drains me? What aligns with my values, talents, and temperaments?

Early internships also provide foundational skills of communication, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving that serve students well both in academics and in life. It is here, amidst deadlines and deliverables, that students metamorphose from passive recipients of instruction to proactive agents of innovation. Additionally, the discerning eyes of college admissions committees look for applicants who possess initiative and insight. When interwoven into application essays and interviews, internship experiences lend gravitas and depth, transforming mundane narratives into compelling testimonies of growth, grit, and gumption. Even brief internships can connect students with professionals who might become mentors, recommenders, or future employers. The mentorship dynamic, when cultivated with sincerity and humility, can prove transformative by guiding students not just in their careers, but in the deeper pursuit of purpose and passion.

Lastly, by the time their peers scramble for internships in college, those who commenced their journeys earlier stand poised and prepared, already armed with the credentials and confidence that experience bestows, prepared for a future already being sculpted with deliberate intent.

Finding the Right Internship: A Strategic Choice, Not a Random Pursuit

When we speak of finding the 'right internship', we are not merely referring to a temporary stint or vocational stopgap, we are speaking of an intellectual sojourn. Students must understand that these assignments or exposures must align with long-term career objectives. At Lesli, we assist students in identifying internships that match their career profile, interests, and aptitude. Below we have outlined a few practical pathways—structured, deliberate, and effective—for finding the right internships:

• Begin with Introspection and gaining clarity - As the ancient Greeks would counsel, “Know thyself” for only then can you calibrate yourself towards the internship that truly complements your inner calling. Begin not by scanning job boards, but by interrogating your own curiosities. What inspires you? What challenges you? 

  • What future can you see yourself shaping?

  • What fields or domains genuinely interest you?

  • Where do you see yourself contributing meaningfully?

  • What skills do you need to acquire to move in that direction?

• Reach Out Locally – Small businesses, hospitals, startups, and nonprofits are often open to high school interns, especially when the student shows genuine interest and professionalism. Reach out directly to small businesses, libraries, or community organizations. Many employinterns but may not formally advertise. Go out and engage. Your academic institution is not just a place for pedagogy; it is also a facilitator. Career service cells, faculty networks, and alumni databases are underutilized assets. Use your school’s ecosystem to widen your internship opportunities.

• Exercise Digital Dexterity: Explore Online & Virtual Internships – Digital opportunities are expanding, especially in tech, marketing, and content creation. We can help you prepare your resume and email pitch. Websites like Internshala.com, Indeed, or LinkedIn occasionally post internships open to high school students. Also check for virtual internship programs.

• Leverage Personal Networks, but with Professionalism – Parents, friends, and teachers often know professionals who are open to mentorship opportunities. Explore your own personal network including family, friends and community leaders who may provide you with access to opportunities. However, one must approach these channels with the decorum and diligence expected of any professional setting. Entitlement will close doors; earnest engagement will open them.

• Timing and Duration: Think Ahead, Plan Backward - An internship’s value is not only in the organization but also in its timing. For instance, doing an internship before a major academic decision can clarify direction. Doing one during a break can build momentum. Short-term experiences, if intense and well-documented, can sometimes be more beneficial than long-term passive exposure.

How We Can Help - Lesli specializes in career counselling, aptitude testing, and internship planning. We guide students through:

• Understanding their unique skill sets through validated aptitude assessments

• Identifying potential career paths that align with those aptitudes

• Crafting resumes and internship outreach emails

• Preparing for interviews and making the most of their experience

Start Today

It is never too early to start planning your future. With the right guidance and experience, students can enter college and eventually the workforce with clear direction, purpose, and confidence. Choose experiences that challenge your complacency, stretch your imagination, and illuminate the contours of a career.

Introduction

“Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” —Abigail Adams 

The importance of making informed decisions regarding education cannot be overstated, especially for high school students on the cusp of adulthood. At this critical juncture, students face numerous challenging questions related to their academic plans such as choice of subjects, stream of study and choice of major for their college education. It becomes even harder to make these decisions, as one recognizes how these choices may profoundly impact one’s future ability to navigate the complex and confusing career landscapes. The impact of many breakthrough technologies on existing business and professional environment, has only added a new layer of complexity to this jigsaw puzzle.  Without proper guidance, the overwhelming nature of these decisions can lead to confusion, frustration, and missed opportunities. 

What is career counselling – and why do you need this 

A career which is an aggregation of many roles one may play in the professional world over a lifetime can be seen as a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and skills in a particular field of work. Therefore, it is desirable that you enjoy pursuing such knowledge and skills, to be genuinely invested in your work to thrive professionally. Passion sustains motivation while facing challenges and keeps one engaged over the long haul. If you are not passionate about your work, burnout or disengagement may occur. Furthermore, students must understand that in the face of continual and rapid change, one must engage in continual learning and skills upgradation to adapt and stay relevant.  Having the necessary innate ability and passion to dedicate to honing and upgrading one’s professional skill-sets are essential to achieve such objectives. 

After grade 12, education takes on a distinctly career-oriented focus, and educational guidance helps bridge the gap between academic pursuits and career readiness. 

Choosing the Right Career: While high school is the pivotal stage when students need to start planning for their future careers, most students are unsure about the same for want of sufficient knowledge and guidance about the vast array of career options available to them. Expert guidance can help students to be informed about such careers that may be suitable for him or her. Having clarity about such future academic and career plan can also become a strong motivation for you to excel in your academic pursuits. 

• Course and Subject Selection: Educational guidance is essential for choosing suitable subjects, especially in grades 11 and 12, when students must select courses directly influencing their post-secondary education options. For example, a student aspiring to become an engineer must focus on science and mathematics, while an aspiring psychologist needs to prioritize subjects like biology and psychology. Making the wrong subject choices could limit their future career options or in the best care scenario, require them to study additional courses later in college.

• Entrance Exams and Admission Process: Getting admitted to your dream college or university invariably requires you to qualify in specific competitive entrance exams and meet specific academic performance benchmarks. Your career guide can provide essential support in understanding and preparing for these entrance tests, standardized tests (such as SAT, ACT) and managing the complex college application process. Being adequately prepared for these tests is the crucial first step to gaining access to prestigious institutions that can launch you into your dream career.

• Building a Long-Term Career Vision: The decisions students make in high school set the foundation for their long-term career goals. Educational guidance helps students envision where they see themselves in 5 or even 10 years from now. It teaches them to plan their education, internships, and extra-curricular activities in a way that systematically builds their knowledge and skills profile aligned towards a rewarding career. Having a clear long-term career vision helps students stay focused, avoid distractions, and choose educational paths that offer prospects of long-term rewards.

• Adapting to a Changing Job Market: The job market is constantly evolving due to technological advancements, globalization, and shifts in industry demand. Educational guidance helps students stay informed about these changes and choose fields that are growing or have future potential. For instance, jobs demanding skills in artificial intelligence, data science, and renewable energy are expanding rapidly, while some traditional jobs are being automated or phased out. 

Financial Planning and Scholarships: Higher education can be expensive, and many students need to consider the financial aspects of their post-secondary education. Educational guidance provides insight into scholarships, grants, financial aid, and other funding opportunities, which are essential for students to plan their higher studies better.

Psychometric Test and Counselling - the science and art of career counselling

What one chooses to study in high school provides the foundation for a career, and while not always related, having a solid academic foundation helps one attain skills that are relevant to a chosen career path. Hence, you must spare no effort in making the most well-informed decision with selection of subjects, stream and college major. And the surest way to achieve that is by seeking professional career guidance. 

A professional career guidance service begins with discovering a student’s strengths, interests, and potential through a psychometric test. Based on an assessment of Aptitude, Motivation, and Personality, educational guidance ensures that students embark on a path that aligns with their life goals and aspirations. By offering support in academic planning, career exploration, and personal development, career counselling serves as a roadmap that empowers students to make choices that lead to meaningful and successful professional prospects.

1. Aptitude - Aptitude refers to an individual's ability to learn or excel in specific areas, such as ability to grasp data and information, complex problem solving, comfort with numbers, physical and linguistic ability to name a few. Assessing a person's aptitude helps in identifying careers where their intellectual strengths will be utilized effectively. For example, having high numerical and complex problem-solving skills may be essential requirements for someone wishing to pursue a career in engineering, data science, or finance. On the other hand a person with strong verbal aptitude could thrive in careers like law or creative communication careers such as advertising or PR. 

2. Motivation - Motivation is intricately linked to an individual's interests and passions. It refers to what drives and excites a person, keeping them engaged in their work. People who pursue careers that align with their interests are more likely to find satisfaction and long-term success. A person who likes to deep dive and curious to understand any problem in greater detail may enjoy working as an engineering, computing scientist or pure science researcher. On the other hand, if you are motivated by a desire to help others, you may find a career as a healthcare professional or teacher highly fulfilling.  Similarly, an individual, passionate about business and commerce will find fulfilment in careers such as a finance or marketing executive.  

3. Personality - Personality, which defines a person’s inherent nature can be the defining factor in determining the type of work environment where a person can thrive. For example, some people excel in leadership roles, while others prefer team collaboration or solitary work. Personality assessments can offer valuable insights into how individuals interact with others, handle stress, and approach challenges. An extroverted, confident person may thrive in careers like sales, management, or public relations. On the contrary, an introverted, detail-oriented person may prefer careers in research, accounting, or technical writing. Individuals who are adaptable and open to change may excel in dynamic, fast-paced environments like startups or creative industries. 

Integrating Aptitude, Motivation, and Personality for Career Guidance is crucial as these three elements offer a comprehensive picture of an individual's potential and preferences   and thereby help make well-rounded career choices. Based on such concrete data points, your career counsellor can help you devise personalized academic and career pathways, set well-defined goals and action plans, leading to greater chances of excelling in one’s academics and subsequent professional life.  In summary, career guidance that integrates knowledge about your Aptitude, motivation, and personality offers a holistic approach to find your ideal career path—one where you can utilize your natural talents, pursue your passions, and build a satisfying and successful long-term career.

Our lives are like vast canvases, overflowing with experiences that paint a unique picture of who we are. Some stories make us beam with pride, while others teach us valuable lessons. But when it comes to university applications, the pressure to condense these narratives into a single, impactful statement can feel daunting.

This was certainly my experience when I was writing my UCAS personal statement. My gap year overflowed with activities, each vying for a spot in this crucial document. The solution? To prioritize. I created a list that identified the experiences that truly defined my passions and shaped me as an individual.

The initial writing process felt like navigating a minefield. An entire essay, holding the key to my dream university, hinged on these carefully crafted words. My weekly meetings with my editor at Lesli India were like brainstorming sessions. We'd toss around ideas, exploring every avenue and hidden corner of my interests. Slowly, my experiences began to take shape, forming the foundation of my essay.

The more I wrote, the more I realized my first draft resembled a scattered puzzle – interesting pieces, but no clear picture. Week after week, we refined the essay, ensuring each sentence propelled my application for the business course forward.

However, a new hurdle emerged: the character limit. Trimming my essay to fit the word limit felt like carving a statue from a massive block of marble. There was so much I wanted to say, but I knew I had to focus on the most essential details – the details that would make my application shine. With my editor's guidance, we learned to let go. This process forced me to prioritize, highlighting the experiences that truly showcased my fit for the program.

After enduring countless revisions, the essay was finally polished and completed. It had undergone rigorous scrutiny by counselors at Lesli India, who were always available to lend a hand, no matter the hour. The journey was challenging, but with the right support, I was able to transform a blank canvas into a compelling story that opened doors to my future. 

So, the next time you face the blank page of a personal statement, take a deep breath. Think of it as an exciting adventure of self-discovery, not a frantic race against the clock. With a little planning, perseverance and a willingness to refine your work, you too can have a statement that will open the doors to your future.