Community Service / Internships
Community Service
Community Service is a non-paid service or activity done for the benefit of others. This can be in your local community or help a cause far from home.
Things to Consider Before Choosing Community Service:
-
Passions
-
Hobbies
-
Talents
-
Future Career Interest
Engaging in community service provides you with the opportunity to become an active member of your community and has a lasting, positive impact on society at large.
​
Benefits of Volunteering
-
Skill Development: Gain practical and professional skills such as leadership, communication, and project management.
-
Personal Growth: Boost confidence, find a sense of purpose, and improve mental and physical health.
-
Career Exploration: Enhance your resume, gain field-specific experience, and explore different career paths.
-
Networking Opportunities: Build professional connections and strong community relationships.
-
Community Impact: Contribute to meaningful social change, inspire others, and experience personal satisfaction from making a difference.
Love animals? - Volunteer at a shelter, volunteer to be a dog walker for someone who is elderly
Love playing a sport? - Volunteer as a coach for a youth team, organize and lead a free skills camp or clinic for youth, organize collecting sports equipment to donate to an underserved community
Musically talented? - Sing, play an instrument (or create a band) to perform at an elderly home, hospital, or for a fundraiser
Artistic? - Make beautiful cards with inspiring or caring words for people in a hospital or elderly home, organize and run a art skills camp for children ​​​
Interested in medicine? - Volunteer at a hospital, surgery center or doctor's office
Here are some examples of searches and links to community service/volunteer opportunities. This is not a complete list and there are many options not listed on this page, including the ones you may create on your own!​
*IMPORTANT: Always have a trusted adult involved when choosing where to volunteer. It is important to confirm that it is a safe and legitimate volunteer opportunity. Although we share very reputable search sites, we cannot validate every option offered under each site's searches, therefore you should be extra diligent with the help of an adult, before committing or giving out personal information.
As an American Cancer Society volunteer you can honor a survivor or a loved one lost to cancer, help save lives of people in your local community, and around the world. It only takes a little time to do a lot of good. Discover how rewarding it is to be a volunteer.
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Volunteers are invaluable to the daily operation of the American Red Cross and are truly the heart and soul of the organization.
​
Help visitors from around the world discover the wonders of our blue planet. Volunteers share Birch Aquarium’s mission, inspire conservation, and showcase the groundbreaking research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
​
Share your love of reading by becoming an Everyone A Reader (EAR) volunteer. You can become a tutor who helps a 1st-, 2nd-, or 3rd-grade student reach their reading potential.
​
Volunteers can utilize their talents in a variety of programs including preparing and serving meals, tutoring kids, doing maintenance/beautification projects and much, much more.
​
The Guardian Angel Program to date has served nearly 100,000 seniors throughout all San Diego County regions. Visit with a senior, engage in conversation, embark on a social stroll, present various activities or just be an active listener. Engage seniors in a game of bingo, bridge, bocce ball, “name that tune” and much more. Facilities are always looking for energetic volunteers willing to lend their creativity.
Pet/Music & Art Therapy: If you have a therapy certified pet or special music/art talent you can engage seniors through a guided class or with your furry companion.
​
We need your help to make the vision of affordable housing a reality for hardworking families in San Diego County. You can help us by volunteering in the following ways - Help build or rehabilitate a home at a construction site, coordinate a group build day, volunteer in the ReStore, assist with office needs and administrative duties.
​
I Love A Clean San Diego leads and inspires our community to actively conserve and enhance the environment through example, outreach, and local involvement.
Kaiser Permanente Junior Program
Students in the program will be trained to serve as a Medical Center or Medical Office Guest Guide. In this role, they will offer directions, answer common questions, escort patients and provide wheelchair assistance to those in need. Each student will be partnered with an experienced volunteer who will provide mentorship, encouragement and support.
​
Volunteers are our lifeblood. We could not accomplish serving the thousands of seniors we serve throughout the year without the help of our devoted volunteers. They deliver meals, support our operations in the offices and at events, and are partners in keeping seniors healthy and independent in their own homes.
​
Volunteers are at the heart of our Rady Children’s family. And the difference you can make is profound. Your gift of time will help us provide the highest possible quality of service to our patients, families, staff and communities.
​
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Rancho Coastal Humane Society. We offer a flexible and fun volunteer program. With a wide array of opportunities, from pet therapy to on-site animal companionship, there is something for almost everyone who wants to make a difference in the lives of companion animals.
​
At any given time, there are up to 150 people on a waiting list to take advantage of this free literacy program. Helping someone learn to read is giving them the gift of knowledge with the power to change their entire world! Your volunteerism can help change lives!
​
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Volunteers make the difference in the lives of all the families that come through our doors – cooking, hosting, listening, nurturing, or by simply being there and helping out in any way they can.
​
Rueben H. Fleet Science Center
The Fleet offers numerous volunteer and intern positions in a creative, fun environment. From the gallery floor to the education classrooms to behind-the-scenes administration, every volunteer and intern is an invaluable part of the Fleet family and helps to ensure our guests’ experiences are meaningful, memorable, educational and fun.
​
The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center (RJKCCC) is a 12-acre family support, education, recreation, and cultural arts center.
​
San Diego County Volunteer Program
Make your contribution to better government and a better community, put your personal values into action, and receive training and work experience to jump-start your career by volunteering for the County of San Diego. Volunteering with the County of San Diego is an opportunity to give back to your community and/or gain valuable job opportunity.
​
The Food Bank relies on individuals and volunteer groups to help us in our warehouse, at food distribution sites, and at Food Bank events. Anyone who is 11 years of age and older is welcome to volunteer. Training is not required, and there are no time commitments. You may volunteer one time, or on a regular basis.
​
Compassionate, dedicated volunteers are essential to our programs and services organization wide and it is important to us that volunteering be a meaningful experience for everyone who participates. We recruit new volunteers on an as needed basis giving us time to meet the hundreds of people who express interest and make sure they are placed in an appropriate role and properly trained before they begin.
Recording Your Community Service
Scripps Ranch High School does not require community service hours for graduation, but we highly recommend participating in community service or volunteer work. It benefits personal growth, provides professional experience, can help you earn college scholarships, and can be included in college applications.
​
What should be recorded?
-
Name of business/ non-profit organization/or person with whom you helped (if not a company)
-
Title of volunteer position
-
Dates Times
-
Description of Activity (include your individual responsibilities)
-
Contact for supervisor (could be needed for future letter of recommendation or requested by a college if doing an audit on your application)
-
If given any letters or documentation from supervisor confirming you completed volunteer work, keep track of all of those items in the same place
How to Record Community Service/Volunteer Work:
-
We recommend using the RESUME section on your Xello account. This is great for keeping track of the information to use for future job applications, help with completing college applications, and is required when requesting letters of recommendation from school staff.
Internships
Internships: The position of a student or trainee who works in an organization, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification.
Each internship is different. Some interns work part-time, while others work full-time. An internship can last a week or a year. There are internships for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.
There are paid internships, unpaid internships, internships that provide course credit, and internships that are virtual. While employment isn’t guaranteed at the end of an internship, many employers use internships to train and evaluate future employees.
Benefits of Internships
-
Hands-On Experience: Gain practical, real-world experience in your field of interest.
-
Skill Development: Develop and enhance specific skills relevant to your career.
-
Professional Networking: Build relationships with industry professionals and expand your network.
-
Resume Building: Strengthen your resume with relevant work experience.
-
Career Exploration: Explore different career paths and clarify your professional goals.
-
Mentorship: Receive guidance and feedback from experienced professionals.
-
Job Opportunities: Increase your chances of receiving job offers post-internship.
-
Workplace Dynamics: Learn about workplace culture, expectations, and professional etiquette.
-
Confidence Boost: Gain confidence in your abilities and decision-making skills.
-
Academic Credit: Some internships offer academic credit towards your degree.
-
Portfolio Development: Create a portfolio of work to showcase your abilities to future employers.
-
Time Management: Improve your ability to manage time and prioritize tasks effectively.
Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) provides an opportunity for high school students to participate in research at a Department of Navy (DoN) laboratory during the summer.
​
Northrop Grumman High School Internships
Together with our partners and employees, we help promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in K–12 education.
​
Interns help visitors from around the world discover the wonders of the ocean and help shape children’s views of ocean conservation, all while gaining a behind the scenes look at Birch Aquarium and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. All internships are unpaid and housing cannot be provided.
Here are some examples of searches to internship opportunities. This is not a complete list and there are many options not listed on this page.
​
An additional location to find Internship opportunities is on the College Corner site supported by the SRHS Foundation.
​
*IMPORTANT: Always have a trusted adult involved when choosing where to volunteer. It is important to confirm that it is a safe and legitimate internship opportunity. Although we share very reputable search sites, we cannot validate every option offered under each site's searches, therefore you should be extra diligent with the help of an adult, before committing or giving out personal information.
Pursue a career in STEM: https://www.stemjobs.com/
​
Recommendations of how to line up STEM internships: https://www.stemjobs.com/lining-up-stem-internships/
List of Science internship opportunities around the country from John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: https://cty.jhu.edu/resources/academic-opportunities/internships/science.html
Co-op/Internships and Summer Research Opportunities offered to High School Students interested in science and medical fields (website from Rochester Institute of Technology)
https://people.rit.edu/~gtfsbi/Symp/highschool.htm#start
List of Math or Computer Science internship opportunities around the country from John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
https://cty.jhu.edu/resources/academic-opportunities/internships/math.html
List of Arts and Social Sciences internship opportunities around the country from John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
https://cty.jhu.edu/resources/academic-opportunities/internships/arts.html
San Diego County, Student Worker Internships
​
Internships in Marketing, Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, IT, Business
Summer Opportunities
Over the summer many colleges offer opportunities for students to take courses from their professors, and sometimes even live on the campus to get a real feel for college life. You can search for high school student summer opportunities by looking at individual college sites.
If interested in a summer educational opportunity, it is recommended you search in the fall because many applications are due in late winter or early spring.
Note: Programs may cost money to attend, however, if you cannot afford a program you can reach out to see if there are scholarship opportunities.
An additional location to find summer opportunities is on the College Corner site supported by the SRHS Foundation.
​
​
​
COSMOS -Spend a month on a college campus working side by side with university researchers and faculty doing hands on experiments and research. University of California Summer School for Mathematics and Science. Programs offered at UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego and UC Santa Cruz.
​
Life Sciences Summer Institute -Since 2005, the Life Sciences Summer Institute (LSSI) has worked to develop our region’s life sciences workforce by nourishing a passion for science and math in the next generation of scientists. 595 students have engaged in real-world research conducted at the Salk Institute, Scripps Research Institute, UC San Diego and other nationally-recognized laboratories.
​
Berkeley Coding Academy’s popular summer program is back and better than ever. BCA students learn the Python code behind AI as they analyze big data using statistics and graphs via pandas, and make predictions from big data using Machine Learning. Additionally, students who are new to coding and Python gain mastery in writing Python functions. Students are split into cohorts based on coding experience and age. All students complete signifiant final projects analyzing real datasets for their portfolios. No Experience Needed
​
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) provides an opportunity for high school students to participate in research at a Department of Navy (DoN) laboratory during the summer.
​
Interns help visitors from around the world discover the wonders of the ocean and help shape children’s views of ocean conservation, all while gaining a behind the scenes look at Birch Aquarium and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. All internships are unpaid and housing cannot be provided.
​
NYU-Precollege Summer Program for High School Students
With NYU Precollege, rising juniors and seniors can apply to take college-level courses for credit and experience life as an NYU student. Credit-bearing courses are available in more than 30 subjects to fit every interest and academic need.