While summer is traditionally reserved for sunbathing by the pool and binge-watching Netflix, many motivated students are taking advantage of their free time to work at internships, gaining leadership skills for the future. High school internships help teens gain the experience needed in the workforce and boost their confidence throughout college.
For five teens from around L.A., the Bank of America Student Leaders program offered the inside scoop on how to run a community nonprofit. This year’s students were Christian Alexander, a graduate from Hawthorne Math and Science Academy; Mehrin Ashraf, a senior at UCLA Community School; Jordan Desai, a graduate from Chaminade High School; Darwin Perez de Pablo, a senior at Lennox MST Academy; and Angelina Quint, a graduate of Da Vinci Science School. They collaborated with nonprofits across L.A., including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Koreatown Youth and Community Center, Operation Gratitude and the Archdiocesan Youth Employment Services.
“Through Student Leaders, Bank of America helps young people gain work experience, broaden their perspective on how nonprofits serve community needs and advance their civic engagement,” says Los Angeles market president of Bank of America, Raul A. Anaya.
Since 2004, Bank of America has sponsored paid summer internships for 225 students, with participation in the annual leadership summit in Washington D.C. This opportunity allows high school interns across the country to collaborate with peers of the same age and meet with members of Congress. “Investing in youth and young adults is part of our broader commitment to connect people to the training and jobs needed for success, ultimately strengthening our community,” Anaya says.
Through these internships high schoolers get the chance to explore exciting career paths that can potentially help them choose their own fields of study.
