Almost 7 years ago, the show “Young Sheldon” premiered on CBS. This series follows a socially awkward child genius who navigates the difficulties of life. What if I told you that despite Sheldon’s undeniable brilliance, his academic journey proved that being book smart isn’t enough when it comes to thriving in the real world? Shocking huh? Well, Internships in high school give you a head start by letting you apply what you learn in the classroom to real-life situations. Sheldon’s intellect highlights a crucial truth that being smart doesn’t guarantee success in everyday life. Internships help bridge the gap between academics and professional skills needed to navigate into the real world. They teach students how to sufficiently manage their task, improve their social skills, and problem-solve.
Being smart is undeniably valuable but we have to ask ourselves if being smart is the only thing that will bring us success. Success comes from showing up and being committed no matter what the circumstance is. In internships, organizations don’t just look for the smartest people in the room, they look for people who show initiative and are driven. The opportunities you receive in life aren’t from your capability to solve a math equation in 30 seconds, it’s about being open minded, seeing life in not just one perspective but in multiple. Interns who thrive aren’t just the ones who know the most, but the same people who are eager to learn new knowledge and who possess strong work ethic.
A few sophomores have already heard about internships, one plans to do an internship at the YMA at Bronx Science and multiple have said that they are planning to intern at Elmhurst hospital. Many students already have internships in mind to begin furthering their future careers. Applying for internships in the 10th grade is an amazing start to getting real world hands-on experience in the field you would like to study. One sophomore said,“Internships are preparing me for the future because in college I will have to do internships and if I get an early insight on what I want to do I will be more prepared for college.” In the real world, employers look for people who can bring in creativity, resilience, and hardwork. Putting internships aside, most students explained that they can relate to Sheldon especially when it comes to everyday challenges as a student. Many kids feel misunderstood or not taken seriously because of their age. One sophomore explained that one thing that they took from the show was that “many students are under the impression that in order to be successful you just need the grades and intellect but you need leadership skills, extracurriculars, and many figure that out too late.”
Ultimately, Sheldon was a naive kid who lacked real-world skills; he didn’t realize that gaining admission into a prestigious college wasn’t just about being one of the smartest kids; it’s about the character you embody both inside and outside of the classroom. Applying to internships opens up so many doors to new opportunities. Participating in an internship will build character and initiative. Internships help gain real-world knowledge and allow us to see life through more than one perspective.
