Kelly Chen/ Shanghai Daily news

While third-year college students are busy looking for an internship to help their job-hunting journey next year, about 4000 high school students have already stepped into big companies and started their internships during their summer vacation.

The one0-day intern program in the city involved some fortune 500 multinational companies, such as Shanghai General Motor, DELL, Intel and Sony. Students from nine key high schools and six junior middle schools took part in the program.

These internships were quite different from regular college internships, as the high school interns mainly visited and observed the companies in groups.

The aim of the companies is also different, as the employer’s intention is on seizing the opportunity to promote their brands and to get the young interns’feedback of their porducts, an officer from Sony Co. said.

Apparently, in contrast with the students’intentions, the companies had different opinions towards the‘intern program,’which worried some parents and teachers.

These students are still six years away from finding full time jobs.“It seems too early for them to be in this type of environment. I’m afraid the utilitarian mind-set of these big companies will have a negative impact on the premature students.”Mr. Qian, a parent of a senior student, said.

But most of the parents and students hailed the internship opportunities.“We not only gain experience in a working environment, but we can also improve our communication skills.”Xu Di, a student from Wei Yu High School, said.

These internships have helped some students understand the importance of teamwork and public relations. It has also helped them realize that the courses they take in high school are fundamental to their future careers.

Zhang Zhimin, dean of Ge Zhi middle school, said,“Students who participated in these internships widened their intellectual scope and reduced the uncertainly they will face when they choose a major in college.”

“These companies should emphasize more on teaching practical career skills and cut down the commercial advertising intentions.”Zhang suggested.