Stepping into the world of IT for the first time can feel exciting, intimidating, and confusing all at once. I see that mix of emotions every year when I work with the high school students in the Sacramento Youth Tech Initiative. They come in eager to learn, unsure of what to expect, and often convinced that everyone else in the room already knows more than they do. I remember feeling the same way when I was their age, tinkering with old computers in my backyard and trying to figure out how things worked.
Over the years, mentoring these young students has taught me a lot about what teens need before they start their first IT internship. The advice below comes from real conversations, real mistakes, and real moments of growth that I have shared with them. If you are a student preparing to take your first step into the tech world, these are the things I wish someone had told me.
You Do Not Need to Know Everything Before You Start
One of the biggest misconceptions teens have about working in IT is the idea that they must already have everything figured out. They come in worrying that they are not smart enough or that they need to understand coding, networking, and troubleshooting right away. I make it clear from day one that nobody expects them to walk in as an expert. Even full time IT pros lean on Google, team members, documentation, and trial and error.
An internship is a place to learn. You are there to explore, to grow, and to make mistakes in a safe environment. Asking questions is not a sign of weakness. It shows that you are engaged and ready to learn. Every successful technician I know started with curiosity, not mastery.
Start With the Basics and Build Up From There
When I work with students, we begin with simple concepts. We talk about what a network actually is, why IP addresses matter, what happens when you click a hyperlink, and how data moves from one device to another. These ideas seem small, but they make everything else easier to understand later.
Students often want to jump straight into advanced tools or flashy cybersecurity topics. I get it, because those things are exciting. But the truth is that solid foundational knowledge will help you more in your first internship than anything else. Understanding basic commands, file structures, and how to follow a structured troubleshooting path will set you up for real success.
Troubleshooting Is a Way of Thinking
Teens often imagine troubleshooting as a checklist. They think there is a correct button to press or a single magic fix that solves the problem. What I teach them is that troubleshooting is less about memorizing steps and more about learning how to think through a problem.
A good technician slows down, observes what is happening, and asks the right questions. What changed? When did the issue start? What is working, and what is not working? Once you learn to break problems down into smaller parts, you will be able to troubleshoot anything from a frozen laptop to a complex network issue.
This shift in thinking is one of the most powerful things students take away from mentoring. It changes how they approach challenges both in and out of the technical world.
Communication Matters Just as Much as Technical Skills
Teens are often surprised when they realize how much of IT support is about talking to people. I remind them that users usually come to us when they are stressed or frustrated. Being calm, respectful, and patient goes a long way.
Simple language is your friend. You do not need to show off how much you know. You need to explain things in a way that helps someone else understand. That skill can make you stand out quickly, especially in your first internship.
Documentation Will Make You a Better Technician
Every intern I have mentored eventually hears me say this: write everything down. Documenting what you tried, what worked, what failed, and what the final fix was will save you time and stress. It also helps whoever comes after you.
Students are surprised when they see how much documentation helps them learn. It creates a personal knowledge base that grows with every task they complete. Once they see the value, they usually start to rely on it every day.
Soft Skills Will Take You Further Than You Think
Things like showing up on time, staying organized, taking notes, asking for clarification, and being willing to try something new can make a huge difference. A teen does not need years of technical experience to make a strong impression. They just need to show commitment and curiosity.
Curiosity Is Your Superpower
If I could give teens only one piece of advice, it would be this. Stay curious. Whether you are learning command line basics, practicing simple Python scripts, or running your first home lab, curiosity will keep you moving forward.
Tech changes constantly, so there is always something new to learn. The students who go the furthest are the ones who stay open minded, ask questions, and explore on their own.
Your First IT Internship Is Just the Beginning
Mentoring teens has taught me that the first step into IT is about far more than getting experience for a resume. It is about discovering how you solve problems, how you learn, and how you work with people.
Your internship is the start of a journey, not the finish line. Bring your curiosity, your willingness to ask questions, and your interest in learning how things work. If you do that, you will not only survive your first IT internship, you will thrive in it.