Everyone knows that academics and extracurriculars are important parts of a high school resume. But many teens overlook a critical experience: internships. They’re not just for college students!
While plenty of high schoolers pursue part-time jobs, fewer pursue academic career advancement,like research internships for high school students. Therefore, a well-timed (and well-placed) internship can elevate your college application above the crowd. If you can get an internship in high school, you can set yourself up for success in college and beyond.
But where do you start? We have a comprehensive list of the top 33 internships available to high school students, as well as some suggestions for where you can find even more opportunities that match your skills and interests.
What is an Internship, and Why Are Internships Important?
An internship is an educational work experience. During an internship, a student takes on a position with a company or organization, and through their work, they are able to apply their classroom knowledge to a real-world environment, while also learning more about the workplace and different industries.
Internships are important because they help you:
- Build your resume
- Gain work experience
- Develop both hard and soft skills
- Explore different jobs and industries
- Make professional connections
- Clarify your career goals
- Distinguish yourself from other college applicants
Internships are different from regular jobs because they are expected to include an educational component, and they may even provide school credit. Because internships bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, interns are not considered employees. Some internships come with a stipend, but others are unpaid.
Internships are a common part of career preparation for college students, but they’re not as popular for high schoolers. That means that if you can have an internship on your resume, you’ll really set yourself apart during the college admissions process!
Infographic: https://elearninginfographics.com/the-students-guide-to-summer-internships-infographic/
The Top 33 Internships for High School Students
If you’re ready to find the perfect internship for you, we have the comprehensive list to get you started! Here are our top 33 internships for high school students:
1. The Smithsonian Institution
If you have a passion for history, museums, and research, you may be interested in the student internship positions at the Smithsonian Institution. These educational programs allow high school students to work with the world’s largest education and research institution. There are multiple positions available within different areas of focus, including art history, science, anthropology, and gardening.
- Duration: Varies by project
- Requirements: Varies; open to high school students
- Application Deadline: Varies by project
2. NASA High School Internship Program
For students interested in space and engineering, NASA offers internship programs with multiple sessions, so you are sure to find one that fits your schedule. NASA has full-time and part-time options that let you spend time at a real NASA facility and work directly with professionals in the field.
- Duration: Varies by project
- Requirements: Varies; open to high school students
- Application Deadline: Varies by project
Ready for Your NASA Internship?
Video: Ready for Your NASA Internship?
3. California Academy of Sciences, Careers in Science
Careers in Science is a year-round, paid internship designed to help San Francisco high school students from underrepresented communities break into STEM careers. Unlike most internships, which usually only last for a few months, Careers in Science is a multi-year program, providing in-depth mentorship and career development.
- Duration: 3-4 years
- Requirements: open to 9th and 10th grade SFUSD high school students; 2.5 GPA; authorized to work in the San Francisco area
- Application Deadline: April 1st
4. The Pathways Program
The US State Department’s Pathways Program is a paid internship that gives high school, undergraduate, and graduate students exposure to careers in the federal government.
- Duration: Varies by agency
- Requirements: Varies; open to high school students
- Application Deadline: Varies by agency
5. U.S. Senate Page Program
The Senate Page Program is one of the most well-known and prestigious internships within the law, government, and public policy sphere. Pages for the Senate have been working on the floor since the early 19th century! This program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the inner workings of the legislative branch.
- Duration: Varies by session
- Requirements: 16 or 17 years old; US citizen; 3.0 GPA
- Application Deadline: Varies by session
6. Microsoft High School Discovery Program
Students in the Microsoft High School Discovery Program get hands-on experience in the tech and computer programming fields, as well personalized mentorship. l
- Duration: 4 weeks
- Requirements: graduating high school seniors around Redmond, WA or Atlanta, GA
- Application Deadline: Late March
7. Port of Seattle
The Port of Seattle’s High School Internship Program is designed to provide students with exposure to careers in the aviation, maritime, local government, community engagement, and environmental fields. . Students engage with real city projects alongside personal development opportunities.
- Duration: Varies by program
- Requirements: 16 years old, authorized to work in the Seattle area
- Application Deadline: May (for Summer) or November (for Winter)
8. Seattle City Lights
Interested in exploring the business of energy production and distribution? City Light provides high school internships that allow you to get paid, hands-on experience within the utility industry.
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Requirements: 16 years old, 2.0 GPA, authorized to work in the Seattle area
- Application Deadline: Internships open in early April and are due before the summer starts
9. Sacramento Municipal Utility District
SMUD offers local high schoolers paid internships with real-world experience in a variety of different fields, including information technology, engineering, customer service, administrative support, vehicle mechanics, accounting, human resources, and marketing. .
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Requirements: 16 years or older, attend a high school in the SMUD service area, 2.5 GPA, authorized to work in the Sacramento area
- Application Deadline: Varies by session
10. New York High School Automotive Internship Program
The High School Automotive Internship Program gives students hands-on experience in maintaining vehicles for the largest municipal fleet in the United States. Students work alongside transportation professionals from the New York City Police Department, the Fire Department of New York, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Sanitation. a This internship is ideal for students who are considering trade school.
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Requirements: enrolled in an eligible New York high school
- Application Deadline: Varies by session
11. Chicago Student Intern Opportunities
The city of Chicago offers a wide variety of internships within the municipal government. If you don’t see an open opportunity that fits your interests, submit a profile to be considered as new positions become available.
- Duration: Varies by department
- Requirements: Varies; open to high school students
- Application Deadline: Varies by department
12. George Mason University
George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) gives high school students the truly unique opportunity to work one-on-one with professional scientists. Interns conduct meaningful research, with cutting-edge technology, across a wide variety of scientific disciplines.
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Requirements: 15 years or older
- Application Deadline: February
Video: Spotlight on ASSIP: Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program
13. University of California, Santa Barbara
The Research Mentorship Program gives high schoolers the chance to complete research in a college-level, interdisciplinary setting. In addition to research and mentorship opportunities, UCSB also gives their research interns access to a wide network through the GRIT Talks series and campus immersion.
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Requirements: 10th or 11th grade, 3.8 GPA
- Application Deadline: March 17th
14. University of California, Santa Cruz
The Science Internship Program (SIP) is a research internship that allows high schoolers to lead their own research projects across a wide variety of disciplines, from STEM topics to the arts and humanities.
- Duration: 8 weeks (1 week online, 7 weeks in residence)
- Requirements: 14 years or older, 16 years or older for some placements
- Application Deadline: March 6th
15. University of California, San Diego
UCSD’s Research Scholars engage in specialized research opportunities across multiple topics–including bioengineering, marine science, and medicine–that are designed to teach high schoolers how to apply knowledge to real-world settings.
- Duration: Varies by session
- Requirements: Varies; open to high school students
- Application Deadline: Varies by session
16. US Army Educational Outreach Program
The Army Educational Outreach Program pairs high school students with researchers at top universities and US Army Research facilities, giving them a unique, STEM-focused experience.
- Duration: Varies by project
- Requirements: High school students from underrepresented backgrounds
- Application Deadline: Rolling
17. Clean Water Ambassadors Internship
The Clean Water Ambassadors Internship is a paid internship program created by the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and the King County Wastewater Treatment Division. The Clean Water Ambassadors explore issues related to clean water in the Pacific Northwest while learning more about environmentally-focused careers.
- Duration: 6-7 weeks
- Requirements: 16 years or older; passionate about the environment
- Application Deadline: April 21st
18. Institute of Systems Biology (ISB)
ISB has multiple, competitive high school intern programs that can jumpstart your career in biology. By offering unique, hands-on experiences, ISB strives to nurture the groundbreaking scientific discoveries of the future.
- Duration: Varies by program
- Requirements: Varies by program
- Application Deadline: Varies by program
19. University of Texas Health
UT Heath’s San Antonio campus hosts a year-round program designed to expose students to the fields of immunology, molecular pathogenesis, genetics, and clinical epidemiology. This internship combines classroom learning with hands-on research to fully immerse you in the healthcare field.
- Duration: Varies; inquire for details
- Requirements: Varies; open to high school students
- Application Deadline: Varies; inquire for details
20. Stanford University SHTEM Internships
Stanford’s SHTEM Internships emphasizes interdisciplinary research opportunities to encourage students to collaborate, build on their existing interests, and explore the connections between different disciplines.
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Requirements: 11th or 12th grade, currently enrolled in high school
- Application Deadline: February
21. Abbott
Abbott offers a variety of internships that explore every facet of their healthcare company, from engineering and environmental health to finance and IT. If you are interested in business or STEM, Abbott could be a good choice for you.
- Duration: Varies by focus area
- Requirements: Varies; open to high school students
- Application Deadline: Varies by focus area
Video: A Day in the Life with Maria, Manufacturing Engineering Intern
22. University of Nebraska
The College of Information Science & Technology’s computer science-focused summer internship program gives high school students hands-on experience in multiple labs. If you know you want to explore computer science but haven’t clarified your career goals, this internship helps you try out different sectors, including robotics, cybersecurity, and gaming.
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Requirements: 16 years or older; 10th, 11th, or 12th grade; B or higher in Algebra 1
- Application Deadline: April 6th
23. BioBus Junior Scientist Internships
The BioBus Junior Scientists don’t just give high school and college students the opportunity to receive cutting-edge scientific training and develop their own research projects, but it also allows them to explore science education by co-teaching BioBus programs for younger students!
- Duration: Varies by session
- Requirements: High school students authorized to work
- Application Deadline: March 24th
Video: BioBus Summer 2019nufacturing Engineering Intern
24. Louisiana State University School of Medicine
LSU’s Summer Research Program prepares high schoolers for careers in public health and clinical science. Interns learn laboratory techniques, gain research and presentation skills, and benefit from professional development opportunities..
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Requirements: Varies; open to high school students
- Application Deadline: March 1st
25. Vanderbilt University Aspirnaut Program
Aspirnaut Summer Research Internships give high schoolers hands-on laboratory experiences within the STEM field. This program also incorporates mentorship and networking opportunities to set students up for long-term success.
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Requirements: Completed application, academic transcripts, and 2 letters of recommendation
- Application Deadline: Mid-January
26. US Navy Science and Engineering Apprentice Program (SEAP)
SEAP is a highly competitive internship that allows high school students to assist with research in Naval facilities. This internship can be a direct steppingstone to future jobs, as many SEAP alumni go on to pursue careers within the Navy.
- Duration: Varies by project
- Requirements: 10th, 11th, 12th grade
- Application Deadline: November
27. Dallas Bar Association
The Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) is a partnership between the Dallas Bar Association and the Dallas Independent School District to give high school students one-of-a-kind immersion in the legal field. Interns work directly with local law firms and corporate legal departments, preparing them for a variety of future careers.
- Duration: Up to 8 weeks
- Requirements: 11th graders authorized to work in the Dallas area
- Application Deadline: April
28 US Department of Education
The US Department of Education offers multiple unpaid internship opportunities that provide high schoolers with a window into the complexity of a federal agency. Interns explore topics relating to educational policy, human resources, project management, data analytics, and communication. That means that while this internship is within the Department of Education, you don’t need to be focused on educational careers to be a strong candidate.
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Requirements: Varies; open to high school students
- Application Deadline: Varies by session
29. Jimerson Birr Attorneys
Jimerson Birr’s High School Summer Internship Program gives high schoolers hands-on experience in the legal field. Jimerson Birr prides itself on making interns part of the team; each student receives meaningful work assignments and personalized mentorship to fully prepare them for a future in law.
- Duration: 4-6 weeks
- Requirements: High school students with an interest in law, based in Florida
- Application Deadline: Rolling
30. Pasquines Volunteer Internships
Pasquines is a nonprofit news outlet that gives students the opportunity to explore journalism. High schoolers can take on unpaid internship roles as editors and correspondents, meaning that you can literally make the news.
- Duration: Varies by role
- Requirements: Open to all high school students
- Application Deadline: Rolling
31. New York Historical Society
The Student Historian Internship Program prepares high schoolers to pursue careers in history, museum studies, and library sciences. Interns learn valuable research and communication skills, culminating in their own digital research projects.
- Duration: Varies by session
- Requirements: 10th, 11th, or 12th grade; authorized to work in the New York City area
- Application Deadline: March 30th (for Summer) or May (for Academic Year)
32. American Red Cross
Red Cross youth volunteer programs offer valuable leadership and community service opportunities across the United States. The Red Cross’ offerings for high school students include local volunteering, Red Cross Clubs, a Leadership Development Center, and a Summer Internship Program.
- Duration: Varies by position
- Requirements: Varies; open to high school students
- Application Deadline: Varies by position
33. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s High School Summer Internship Program offers local high school seniors a part-time, paid internship opportunity. This experience is designed to prepare students not just for college but for graduate degrees in medical fields.
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Requirements: High school seniors only
- Application Deadline: February 1st
Other Places to Search for High School Internship Positions
If none of these internships seem like the right fit for you, you still have plenty of options! The expert staff at Empowerly has compiled internship guides for multiple specific interests, including:
Remote Internships for High School Students
Don’t let location keep you from your dream internship! There are dozens of remote internship opportunities available. You can still gain valuable professional experience and connect with mentors from the comfort of your own home.
For Women in STEM Fields
Women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, and to combat this issue, there are lots of special internship opportunities for women in STEM fields! These research internships give female-identifying high schoolers unique options for hands-on learning in science and engineering careers.
High School Internships for Computer Scientists:
If you are passionate about computers, try looking for a computer science internship! These internships can help you explore all the different facets of the computer science industry, from IT to app development!
Research Internships for High School Students on Medicine or Pre-Medicine Tracks:
If you’re a teenager looking for ways to learn about the legal system in the US, it can seem intimidating to Think medical research is too advanced for high schoolers? Think again! If you are interested in medicine, you have plenty of internship options.
Find Your Perfect High School Internship with Empowerly
If finding an internship feels intimidating, don’t worry! You don’t have to do it alone. Empowerly has all the resources to pair you with your perfect high school internship. Empowerly’s Guide to High School Internships is full of expert tips for how to navigate your entire internship journey, from applying for programs to making the most of your experience.
Empowerly is also proud to offer personalized internship resources, like the Startup Internship Program, which can help you build your resume, learn valuable skills, and build your professional network. Take the first step towards your future today with a free consultation!
