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10 Summer Internship Opportunities for Canadian High School Students

06 MAY 2022

What are internships?

Internships are professional learning experiences that allow high school students, college students, and recent graduates to take everything they’ve learned in school and apply it in a real-world situation. They help you narrow down and develop your career path and gain new skills for future jobs.

Many employers like hiring interns because they bring new ideas and energy to their company. Employers often hire interns as full-time employees after graduation, especially if they feel the intern’s work ethic, expertise, or enthusiasm will benefit the company. Some employers pay interns, while others only provide experiential opportunities. They usually last the length of a semester, school year, or summer break.

Benefits of doing summer internships in high school

Both in-person and virtual internships help high school students gain professional skills and a foundation for their future careers. Through internships, high school students can explore various career fields and areas of interest to determine which career path they want to pursue in the future. This exploration is encouraged through virtual and in-person internships, giving high school students plenty of opportunities to change their minds and think outside the box.

When a student determines their career path, choosing a summer internship relevant to that field of study helps them gain a competitive edge among their peers.

When high school students with internship experience apply for university or a professional job, they can confidently add skills like teamwork, organization, professionalism, and written communication to their application. Internships also prepare students for leadership roles at their university and in their companies.

Why should I do a virtual internship in high school?

Due to increased technological advances and the current state of the world, many people now work remote or semi-remote. When you choose a virtual internship, you’re not only getting job experience in high school; you’re learning how to develop discipline, work independently, and become effective in all working environments.

Are summer internships worth it?

Virtual internships offer a smooth transition into remote work and in-person work. They prepare you for university, especially studying and working in all types of environments. Virtual internships teach flexibility and build resilience, especially when you can’t control your circumstances or working environment. Internships in journalism, marketing, and software engineering often offer remote or virtual opportunities.

Characteristics of a Strong Summer Internship

Helps students develop and achieve their learning goals
Involves more than just clerical and administrative tasks
Offers a mentoring program to company interns
Gives regular, constructive feedback to the intern
Encourages interns to offer fresh ideas that help their business grow
Teaches the intern about the organization and its various roles within the company

What should I expect to gain from a quality internship?

Meaningful, real work experience
A mentor who guides you through your internship by answering questions and providing constructive feedback
Experience in a particular field
Professional and academic contacts
Exposure to employees at all levels of the company

Crimson Education is the world’s leading admissions consulting company. Our expert admission advisors can help you build an extracurricular and leadership profile that will help you stand out to university admissions officers. Book a free consultation to learn more about our Extracurricular & Career Mentoring program.

How to find a summer internship

Internet Search

A simple google search is the easiest way to start looking for a virtual or in-person internship. Start by searching “summer internship opportunities for Canadian high school students” or “high school summer internships.” Sites like Indeed.com or LinkedIn are excellent starting points for your search.

Research Specific Companies

Before you call, email, or send in your resume, do your research. Companies like to see that you took the time to learn about them, their mission, and what they’ve accomplished. This information is also helpful when interviewing for an internship.

Network

High school students can network through teachers, counselors, family, family friends, and even peers. Connecting directly with a company through its website is another excellent place to start. Many companies do not have internship programs but are open to having an intern work in their office or remotely. Sometimes a simple phone call sets the path for a quality internship.

Crimson Careers

Crimson Careers gives students the chance to perform tasks and receive feedback from startups and established companies. Our students have interned at various startups and large corporations where they’ve advanced their core skills. Learn more about this program and search for internships through Crimson.

Top 10Summer Internship Opportunities for High School Students

Whether you’re looking for an internship in engineering, STEM, business, or arts, here are the top ten internships in Canada for high school students. (Some are virtual!)

1. Crimson Careers & Crimson Internship Database

Search hundreds of extracurricular clubs, internships, and research opportunities through Crimson’s online database.

2. Google Computer Science Summer Internship (CSSI)

This summer internship program is open to high school seniors entering a four-year undergraduate program. Students must declare a computer science, computer engineering, or software engineering major. Through this program, students interact with Google employees and learn more about computer science.

3. House of Commons Youth Opportunities

As one of Canada’s top employers, the House of Commons Admission also offers a variety of (paid) youth employment opportunities for students aged 16 and up. Students interested in pursuing law, accounting, computer science, and more are encouraged to explore the opportunities.

4. Student Advanced Research (StAR) Program at SickKids (Virtual)

This summer internship program is open to Black, Indigenous, and Filipino high school students who are interested in medical research. This six-week, paid program will allow students to participate in research projects first hand.

5. WILD Outside Youth Program

The Canadian Wildlife Federation’s program brings together students aged 15-18 to experience leadership and personal development through community-based conservation projects. WILD Outside aims to inspire high school students about conservation and wildlife.

6. University of Toronto Advanced Academic Program (Virtual)

University of Toronto, New College offers a innovative programs to students interested in gaining valuable skills and experiences during a three-week period. This fully immersive experience will allow student to develop core skills in specific subjects including World Economics, Language & Literature, and Law.

7. Queen’s High School Internships in Computing (QHIC)

Queen’s School of Computing offers a paid internship that partners students interested in Computer Science up with Queen’s University students and professors for a two month period. Students will be required to submit the following information in their application:

A brief declaration of interest
A resume/CV
A letter of reference
High school transcripts

8. Hamilton Summer Student Program

The City of Hamilton, Ontario offers a variety of internship opportunities for students as young as 14 years old. Students can choose to apply to programs based on areas of study, skill sets, or program duration. Selected students will be required to undergo a brief interview process.

9. Summer Leadership Program with Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau (Virtual)

This program offers students the opportunity to contribute to Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau’s team and gain relevant skills while serving in the offices of Members of Parliament, Ministers’ Offices, The Prime Minister’s Office and the Liberal Research Bureau.

Although this fully paid internship is only open to recent high school graduates, it is an opportunity current students should consider working toward.

10. STEM Fellowship (Virtual)

High school students can get involved in local and global sustainability issues and showcase their expertise in STEM through various programs including:

Research Exploration Opportunity and Mentorship Program
Outreach Ambassador Program
Canadian Young Physisicts’ Tournament

Will doing an internship boost my chances of going to a university?

As a high school student, you should look for ways to enhance your resume, increase your knowledge in a specific area, and better qualify yourself for competitive placements, programs, and classes. Take advantage of any opportunity to gain real-world experience.

When universities review your application, many pay close attention to your extracurriculars, especially highly competitive colleges, since most of their applicants are already academically qualified. Strong extracurriculars, especially those from high-profile companies, that showcase your leadership, responsibilities, and role help you stand out from other qualified candidates.

Final Thoughts

Internships introduce you to opportunities. Opportunities are where you discover your career path. When you explore internships in high school, you have more time to learn about a wide variety of careers and define your future career objectives. You also learn essential business and leadership skills that translate into any career field.

Key Resources & Further Reading

Interested in finding a high school internship that will help you get into your dream university? Crimson Education can help. For a free consultation, contact our admissions advisors.