ILUMIN Work Lab
ILUMIN Work Lab
ILUMIN Education’s start-up experience program for high school students, powered by Polygence Work Lab
REAL EXPERIENCE TO ELEVATE YOUR COLLEGE JOURNEY
Your student may be passionate about pursuing a field, but do they have the hands-on experience to back it up? In today’s landscape, colleges and employers want to see motivated students take their interests into the real world.
Where can I find job experience that let me work on real projects?
How can I build a resume in high school that advocates for me?
How do I find opportunities in a field that I’m actually passionate about?
Gain real-world, hands-on experience by working on meaningful projects with innovative startups. Earn the confidence that comes from solving real problems and building real experience in the fields that matter most to you!
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Program breakdown
FeatureS
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS
Students work on actual projects for small startups, giving students a taste of what it’s like to genuinely contribute in a professional setting. Unlike generic internships that boil down to administrative tasks and shadowing, these experiences are built around purposeful, scoped projects with real mentorship and outcomes.
RESUME-READY OUTCOMES
Our program helps students pursue projects that go beyond the scope of a school club or extracurricular. Students complete meaningful work that they can showcase on resumes, in interviews, or in portfolios! These deliverables and outcomes serve as clear proof of their initiative and skills, which colleges and employers highly value. Not only that, but students gain practical skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and project ownership, beyond the level of a classroom setting.
STREAMLINED AND CURATED FOR YOUR STUDENT
Students are thoughtfully placed with organizations that match their passions and goals—no cold emails or endless searching required! Designed with student schedules in mind, our internships are time-bound, manageable, and well-scoped, making them ideal for high schoolers balancing other commitments.
Industries
Start-up experiences are available for the following industries:
TECHNOLOGY
HEALTHCARE
BUSINESS
SUSTAINABILITY
PAST PROJECTS BY ILUMIN STUDENTS
ready to WORK?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Students must be at least 15 years old to be eligible for Work Lab.
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Tuition is $2,250.
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Each program consists of a 6-week virtual placement and is designed to be a total of 40 hours of real-world work experience. The start-up experiences are time-bound and manageable to fit high school student schedules.
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ILUMIN Work Lab placements are virtual, allowing students to work in a professional setting from the convenience of home.
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The program runs in different cohorts in May and July. Each of these cohorts has specific enrollment deadlines, match dates, and start/end dates.
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Fill out this form and we’ll be in touch about some companies that might be a good match for you!
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Polygence is compiling a comprehensive list of summer placement opportunities. Students will be granted access to the list to make their selection in order of enrollment. The earlier you enroll, the earlier your access will be, and the more opportunities you’ll have to choose from. Priority deadlines are as follows:
Priority I: January & February enrollments, access given April 6th
Priority II: March enrollees, access given April 8th
Early Action: April 1-9 enrollees, access given April 10th
Open enrollment: April 10 until program fills
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Priority enrolled students will be given access to the list of opportunities in order of enrollment. If a student does not see any opportunities that fit their goals/interests, they can request a full refund.
If a student makes a selection, they are making a commitment to the project and claiming the spot as theirs. No refunds will be given after the program begins; though an extension may be requested to accommodate any student/family emergencies that might arise. If a student is uncomfortable making a 6 week commitment to a company, they are not yet ready for the program.
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Students have weekly check-in meetings with their host company contact. The program also includes a workplace etiquette workshop.
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Students finish with meaningful, "resume-ready" work they can showcase in portfolios and interviews. They also receive a completion certificate and official manager feedback. Students also gain a potential reference for future college and job applications.