Teen time...
The other day I asked my 17 y.o. daughter how her summer plans were shaping up (I wanted an update). It was dizzying. She applied for an internship, has the possibility of two more at two companies, and applied for precollege or special programs in law and/or real estate at local colleges. At this age, she is old enough to do the research herself, but still needs some guidance so she doesn’t jam pack her summer. We are also planning college tours and vacation time. This is going to be true of all high school students unless they can return to their day camp or sleep away camp as a CIT.
So, let’s review some of the options for HS students…
1. Camp CIT “Local camps can be excellent resources for securing a meaningful first job. Becoming a counselor in training (CIT) provides teens with useful skills and an opportunity to take on real-life responsibilities in a supportive environment.” — Michelle Peterson, Hudson Valley Parent
2. HS Program at local college or university (aka Pre-College)
3. Specialty programs in topics such as robotics, STEM, climate change, etc.
4. Self-exploration programs like Outward Bound
5. Internship “’High school students want to work somewhere that interests them and potentially make what they feel is a more meaningful contribution,” Caldarelli says. “They see internships as an enrichment activity and opportunity to make an impact rather than simply trading time for a little money.’” — Heidi Borst, US News
6. Summer job
Wow, that is a list! So how do you begin? First talk with your child about his/her interests. My daughter happens to be interested in law so she applied for an internship at a local DA’s office as well as special programs in law. Second, once you compile the list, head to Google (with your child) to research these topics to see what summer opportunities there are. You might try “Law + Internship + (City)” or “Summer Stem programs near me” or “Summer programs for high school students near me.” Third, from this make a list of the ones that interest your child. Be sure to note what the requirements are such as filling out an application, submitting a recommendation, deadlines, etc.
Now comes the hard part. Create a timeline based on deadlines of getting in applications and such to keep your child on track. This is their summer plan and so they should be doing the work to apply. Be sure to check up on your child every now and then and offer help if you feel it is needed. So far, my daughter has kept on track and only asked me for some advice about the applications.
Keep in mind this is the summer and your child should take some time off to recharge, hang with friends and sleep late. Also you may want to take a family vacation.
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