What Parents Should Know About Pre-College Internships

A practical guide for parents weighing whether a structured internship programme is the right investment for their teenager.

If you're a parent reading this, you probably want two things: that your child does something meaningful with their time, and that the experience contributes to their future.

It's not about the certificate

The single biggest myth is that an internship's value lies in the line on the résumé. It doesn't. The value lies in what your child *learned to do* — and whether they can talk about it convincingly.

Look for mentorship, not just access

The best programmes pair students with mentors who give weekly feedback. Without that loop, even an exciting project becomes a drift.

Set realistic expectations

A six-to-eight week project will not make your child an expert. It will, however, give them a concrete experience to anchor their interests, applications, and conversations with adults in that field.