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Your best bet is to attend an FAA certified Part 147 school to get your A&P. It's quicker and will get you into the work force faster so you can gain experience. It's the experience that gets you the better job.
Working to get your test authorization cards doesn't happen in 30 months anymore. You usually start doing grunt work that doesn't count toward your cards. So you may work for several years longer than it takes to get certificate through a 147 school. After gaining the 30 months someone must sign off that time plus you'll need to pay and arrange the written, oral, and practical tests--all which are included with a 147 school.
As for internships... hadn't seen that in years.
I thought NYC had an Aviation High School?
There should be a number of 147 A&P schools in the NYC area.
Good luck!
W1