By Steve Milano Updated October 01, 2022
The sooner you can get an internship or other work experience, the better your chances for getting into an elite, or at least career-specific, college or university program. Internships also help you stand out when you apply for a job that has lots of competition.
There’s no legal age limit for getting an internship, but any work like this will be governed by child labor laws. Reviewing the conditions under which you can start working as an intern in your teens will help you land the right work program for your future career hopes.
What Are Internships?
Internships differ from regular labor in that the worker is supposed to learn specific skills in exchange for free or low-cost labor, explains the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Division of Student Affairs. For example, an internship at a law firm that requires the intern to simply make copies, answer phones and serve coffee isn’t really an internship.
One reason many internships are unpaid or pay low wages is that the employer has to slow down to teach you how to do basic tasks that a more experienced employee would know how to do. In addition to allowing you learn whether a specific job is all you think it is and whether it’s something you’ll want to pursue as part of your career, an internship is supposed to give you valuable experience that future employers want.
Make sure any internship agreement you arrange specifies what type of work you will do and what type of skills you will learn. In some cases, an internship must make the intern the main beneficiary of the arrangement, according Business News Daily.
Child Labor Laws
The first step in deciding whether you might be able to get an internship at a specific age is to research state and federal labor laws. In some cases, laws relate to minimum age limits; in other cases, the law relates to how many hours you can work at a specific age and at what times (such as not during school hours).
Many employers, especially small businesses, might not know their state or federal labor laws, and they may believe they can’t hire you if you’re 16, for example. If you want to pitch a business to hire you for a paid or unpaid internship, be ready to provide them with the information that they can legally do so. Your parents might want to hire an employment attorney to do the research so everyone is on the same page.
Paid vs. Unpaid Internships
Because many employers took advantage of internships, making students work for free without providing any valuable training, states began to pass laws regarding whether or not businesses could offer unpaid internships. Many colleges and universities now set specific criteria for unpaid and low-paid internships to prevent students from being taken advantage of.
If you're interested in getting an intership at a specific business, help that business find out what your state’s laws are regarding paid and unpaid internships, especially if you’re pitching one to a local small business that hasn’t offered one before. You can start by reviewing the rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act. If you’re doing an internship as part of your college degree, your school should be able to help you in this area.
FAQs
Employers should be aware that if the analysis of the circ*mstances reveals an intern is, in fact, an employee, then he or she is entitled to minimum wage (and potentially overtime) pay under the FLSA. For most employers, a minor needs to be at least 14 years of age to be hired as an unpaid intern.
What is the youngest age to be an intern? ›
In most cases, you have to be 18 years old to get an internship; however, some organizations will allow interns as young as 14 years old. Every organization that hires interns has its own set of guidelines for the age of interns.
What is the average age of an intern? ›
Interns introduce new talents from a younger generation.
Whether your team seems to have a creative block or is spending more time trying to figure out a platform than being fluent with it, an intern can be a great help. The average age of an intern in 2023 was anywhere from 18-23 years old (also known as Gen Z).
What age is best for an internship? ›
Many college students pursue internships during their junior or senior year of school. However, it's never too early to begin applying and participating in internship programs, especially programs that are directly related to your career path.
Can I be a 40 year old intern? ›
It's really rare to come by a 40 year old intern, let alone if they are competant in the job market where each day thousands of young graduates and professionals drop in. But if you are asking if that ever happens, yes, and there's more to that.
Who is the youngest intern? ›
From being the youngest person to intern at NASA to graduating high school at 12 years old, Alena McQuarter has been making national...
Can you be an intern at 24? ›
While internships are still associated with the college-aged crowd, it's actually becoming more common for an older age set to take them. There is even a movie about this very scenario. Just because you're no longer in your 20s does not mean you are ineligible for an internship.
How long do interns last? ›
Internships usually last through the semester, so you can find one in the fall, spring, and summer. Internships that take place during the school year, spring and fall, will usually be part-time and cap you at 15-20 hours a week. But these internships will typically last a few months.
Who is the oldest intern? ›
For eight weeks the 72-year-old BYU advertising professor proudly wore his self-selected nickname, the World's Oldest Intern, while working in Dallas at the country's largest independently owned advertising agency, the Richards Group.
What year can you intern? ›
Ideally, you can go for internships during any year of college, depending on your goals and academic program requirements. However, many students pursue internships in their sophom*ore or junior year, when they have completed some coursework and gained foundational knowledge and skills in their major or field of study.
The Internship [2013] [PG-13] - 5.4.
How early should I look for internship? ›
You should start looking for internships 3-5 months before you would like to start. Unlike traditional jobs, many internships hire candidates well in advance of their start date.
Can you be an intern at 50? ›
Many employers and organizations offer internships — paid and unpaid — and most of these programs don't have caps on age. For example, this year the United States Golf Association's internship program included three interns who are older than 50.
Are senior interns a real thing? ›
Seniors will be able to work at approved internship sites instead of attending school while being paid for their work. This year, approximately 190 seniors are expected to participate, an increase from roughly 80 last year. Participating seniors will be required to work a minimum of 20 hours a week at their job sites.
Is it normal to be an intern for a year? ›
Yes, an internship can last a year. Participating in a yearlong internship is not as common as participating in a semester long or summer long internship. However, taking your time to really hone your skills at a yearlong internship can offer various benefits.
Can you intern as a freshman? ›
College students all start their internships at different points. Some start when they're more seasoned students and others want to get started immediately — their freshman year. Make sure that you have a workable schedule and factor in the time your internship will take up.
Is the internship appropriate for 12 year olds? ›
The MPAA rated The Internship PG-13 for sexuality, some crude humor, partying and language.
Can 14 year olds work in California? ›
California's minimum legal age to work is generally 14 years old. However, anyone under 18 must have a work permit, called a Statement of Intent to Employ Minor and Request for Work Permit. The minor's school typically issues these permits. Most minors will need their parents' permission to work.
