February 17, 2004
A: FROM MENTOR ALYSON FLETCHER IN CA
Hi Lauren,
First of all, it is very okay for you to be confused about what to do.
You are a freshman in high school so you have plenty of time! It might
not seem that way in today's society, but there really is lots of time
for you to figure out what you enjoy. I think there is so much pressure
to get into a good school and know what you are doing at a young age,
that it leaves people unable to even know why they are doing something -
just that they are rushing so hard to do it. It sounds to me like you
have made some progress in knowing what you do and don't like. Don't
get a summer internship in a lab doing stem cell research (although you
said you like science experiments, which was a little contradictory :).
It sounds to me like you should look at a number of places for
internships and then take whatever is offered to you. If you don't like
it, then you have made progress in knowing what you do and don't want to
spend your life doing! If you do like it, then you can further explore
that area in following summers, or figure out if you like other things
better. It sounds to me like you could try a local newspaper, museum,
library, publishing company, or maybe some kind of science writing (you
don't like the lab work, but you like science and you like observing and
writing). Good luck!
********************
A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON IN IL
Hi, Lauren,
It is awesome that you want to have an intern this summer to help you start
making your decision. I have a suggestion. Try an internship this summer in
one thing. If you still are not sure, try an intership elsewhere next summer.
You have a few summers to work with.

My first inclination is to suggest you try getting an internship or volunteer
opportunity with a newspaper, because that seems to be your passion. You could
ask if you could help editing the section on Travel or a section on World
events. Just ask where you could help that you would also be able to learn how
to contribute in areas that you are interested and good in.

Are you sure you don't want to work in a lab all day, even though you enjoy
science experiments and observing things? If you're not sure, maybe you can
help out in your school lab. Either help clean up after school or help the
teacher get things prepared for his/her next class. Or, help out the students
who have lab during your free time.

If you have an aquarium or planetarium, you could volunteer to help out with
studies they are doing there. I just looked at the web sites for the aquarium
and planetarium in Chicago . The aquarium and planetarium do have some age
requirements. But, this may be different in your area. If you are too young,
go for the internship with a local paper and plan on an internship or volunteer
opportunity with the acquarium or planetarium later in high school. Also, even
if there are age requirements, if you show maturity, they may waive that
requirement.

Let us know what you decide to do this summer!