[Ian W.]

My first internship was actually right out of high school, because I managed to pull a few strings through a robotics mentor. It was only for two months, over the summer, but I learned a lot. The first week was hard, because I didn't know anyone besides the mentor, and I didn't have a project or a computer to use yet. After the second week started, I got to know a group of people who all worked in my department, got a project that took me all summer to do, and everything got much better.

There was definitely dull moments, for instance, if I needed help and everyone was in meetings, stuff like that. I think I'll probably be working in the same place next summer though, and it'll be a lot smoother and a lot better, because I'll know everyone already, I'll know a lot more about what I'd be doing, and I'll have another month to work this summer, so it should work out a lot better.

High school seniors, DEFINITELY try to get internships this coming summer. It's still a long time away, or it seems to be this time of year, but believe me, once college applications are done, the year goes by so fast. If you guys can get into a company now, there's a very good chance you'll be able to go back for several summers to come. So pester your mentors, do whatever you can, because it's definitely the best way to make money AND learn more about what you want to do with the rest of your life.