The summer after my freshman year of college, my parents helped me land an internship with John Hancock in wealth management. At the time, I didn’t realize how formative that experience would be.
I went on to law school, then spent 15 years in higher education. When I began exploring a career pivot about a year ago, I found myself drawn back to wealth management, largely because of that first exposure two decades earlier.
That is the power of internships. They plant seeds that can shape career paths years down the road. For students, internships open doors to new fields, sharpen professional skills, and connect them with mentors. For parents, the good news is that you do not have to wait for opportunities to fall into your student’s lap. You can help cultivate them.
Start with your own network
Parents often underestimate the reach of their own connections. Think beyond formal internship postings. A short summer project with a colleague, a family friend’s business, or even a church contact can turn into a micro-internship that exposes your student to a field. These opportunities do not need to last an entire summer. Even two or three weeks can provide a meaningful glimpse into a career.
One of our Baylor summer interns spent a month with us, then rotated to another company, and still continues to work on projects during the school year. By combining several short internships, he built a wide range of experiences in a single summer.
Paid or unpaid? Both have value
Of course, a paid internship is ideal. But even unpaid experiences can be transformative. The true value is not just in the paycheck but in access to networks, mentors, and a behind-the-scenes view of how organizations really run. Even administrative work offers insight. Scheduling meetings, sitting in on calls, or managing documents all reveal how professionals operate and make decisions.
Paid or unpaid, short or long, every internship builds perspective. When students stack those experiences, they begin to create momentum.
Layer internships to build momentum
Each experience should build on the last. Early exposure helps students rule out what they do not want to do, sharpen their skills, and zone in on areas of genuine interest. Later internships, informed by these lessons, can be more targeted and substantial, giving students a competitive edge as they apply for jobs or graduate school.
Do not wait until May
The best internships do not appear at the last minute. Parents and students should begin cultivating opportunities in the fall and continue through spring. This might mean:
- Encouraging your student to visit career services early.
- Reaching out to professors who may have research or project opportunities.
- Leveraging your own network of colleagues, alumni, and friends to open doors.
The earlier you start, the more likely your student is to head into summer with a well-planned experience, not a scramble for last-minute options.
Quick Tips: Cultivating Internships This Month
- Host a coffee conversation. Invite a friend or colleague in a field your student is curious about to chat with them. Sometimes the best internships start with a simple introduction.
- Encourage micro-internships. Look for two or three-week projects that fit between summer commitments. These can be easier to arrange and just as impactful.
- Make a short list. Sit down with your student and identify three fields or companies they would like to learn about. Use your network to help them send emails before winter break.
Final thought
Internships do more than provide meaningful summer experiences. They can launch futures. Start early, tap into your networks, and encourage your student to say yes to opportunities that stretch them. Whether it is two weeks or two months, paid or unpaid, each experience matters. With a little intention, parents and students together can cultivate internships that build skills, shape career interests, and create relationships that last. Have the conversation with your student this week. Help them sketch out a plan. The seeds you plant now may grow into the career they thrive in twenty years from today.
You’ve got this, Coach!
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