Looking for the best way to kickstart your tech career as a high school student? Or are you curious to explore tech, but not yet fully committed? Both are welcome! Check out these 20 top tech internships, with details on eligibility, duration, and deadlines, designed to give you a head start in the fast-paced world of technology.
In today’s digital age, technology touches nearly every industry. Securing a tech internship in high school can be a game-changer. Why? Because it offers hands-on experience, helps you explore potential career paths, and connects you with industry professionals. You’ll have the chance to apply classroom concepts to real-world projects, gaining skills that will set you apart.
Whether you’re interested in cybersecurity, software development, data science, or engineering, these internships are tailored specifically for high school students. Each program offers a unique combination of hands-on learning, mentorship, and teamwork, giving you a solid foundation for both your academic journey and future career in tech.
Top 20 Tech Internships for High School Students in 2024
Ready to dive in? Below, you’ll find 20 exceptional tech internships for high school students, each offering its own mix of skills development, mentorship, and real-world experience.
1. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a highly competitive summer research program for high school juniors and seniors. Scholars study independently with faculty members in chosen ?elds of research in engineering, science, and technology. Also included are weekly seminars and social activities.
- Duration: Seven weeks, June 16 – August 1
- Eligibility: Juniors and seniors; 12 participants selected
- Application Deadline: February 15
2. Army Educational Outreach Program AEOP High School Apprenticeship
The AEOP High School Apprenticeship places students in Army research labs, working on real-world science and engineering projects under the mentorship of professionals. It is an excellent opportunity for students who are in STEM fields.
- Duration: Varies
- Eligibility: High school
- Deadline: Rolling
3. Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)
CS4CS is a free, three-week NYU-hosted summer program in cybersecurity for high school students. Students will delve into cybersecurity and computer science through hands-on workshops and labs.
- Duration: Three weeks (July 15 – August 9)
- Eligibility: Grades 9 through 12; New York City residents
- Application Deadline: April 14
4. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program (SIP)
Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is a two-week, free program that exposes girls and non-binary students to the basics of computer science. Students engage in projects that are relevant to real-life problems and create websites with exposure to the tech industry by professionals in the field.
- Duration: Two weeks-long, multiple sessions
- Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors; only girl and non-binary students
- Application Deadline: N/A
5. NIST Summer High School Intern Program
The program allows students to work on scientific research projects at a NIST laboratory. Participants will carry out the latest research work in a mentored environment with experienced scientists and engineers.
- Duration: Eight weeks from June to August
- Eligibility: Juniors and seniors interested in scientific research
- Application Deadline: February 9
6. National Security Agency Student Programs
The NSA also has a range of student programs, one of which is the high school student internship. These programs are suited for students interested in languages, mathematics, computer science, and cybersecurity with the potential to make a difference in projects related to national security.
- Duration: Varies
- Eligibility: High school student, especially with language skills in Chinese, Russian, Korean, Farsi, or Arabic
- Application Deadline: 31 October
7. Research in Science & Engineering Internship
RISE Internship at Boston University: The internship provides rising seniors the opportunity for university-level research in a lab. There are two options students can pursue based on interest: Practicum and Internship tracks.
- Duration: Six weeks (June 30 – August 9)
- Eligibility: Academically motivated rising seniors
- Application Deadline: February 14
8. Sandia Internships
Sandia National Laboratories offers internships to high school students with projects in national security, energy, and technology innovation, working side by side with scientists and engineers.
- Duration: Varies
- Eligibility Criteria: High school students 16 years and older with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Application Deadline: Varies
9. Simons Summer Research Program
The Simons Summer Research Program allows high school students to be involved in active research work. Students get to work with faculty mentors at Stony Brook University. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are the main themes of the program that relate to fields such as Biology, Chemistry, or Computer Science.
- Duration: Seven weeks during the summer; July 1 – August 9
- Eligibility: Rising senior high school students
- Application Deadline: Varies
10. Spark Summer Mentorship Program
The Spark Summer Mentorship Program matches high school students in the Seattle area to professional mentors at top tech companies. Students get to explore various tech roles while growing their professional network.
- Duration: Varies
- Eligibility: Seattle area high school students
- Deadline: rolling
11. Tech360
This summer, Tech360 brings high school students into the world of coding and computer science through this free, three-week summer program in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami-Dade, and Broward County. The course covers the basics of web development and app creation.
- Duration: Three weeks
- Eligibility: juniors and seniors residing in New York City, Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade, Broward County
- Application deadline: May 24
12. Microsoft Discovery Program
Microsoft Discovery School exposes graduating high school seniors to various career opportunities available in technology. Applicants are engaged in teaming for real projects, and insight into the tech industry through mentorship, networking, and several other activities.
- Duration: Four weeks (July 8 through August 2)
- Eligibility: Graduating seniors who live within 50 miles of Redmond, Washington, or who attend high school in and around Atlanta, Georgia
- Application Deadline: Rolling
13. MITRE Nationwide High School Student Program
A Corporate High School Student program from The MITRE Corporation, which offers internship experiences in cybersecurity, software engineering, data science, and other fields. Students work on innovative projects to address real problems.
- Duration: Eight weeks
- Eligibility: Students 14 years and older
- Application Deadline: N/A
14. Meta Summer Academy
This is a paid summer job at Meta, working on real projects while learning from professionals in the tech industry. Students will get a look at the inside of the tech industry and even be mentored by people who know their way around technology.
- Duration: Six weeks June 17 through July 26
- Eligibility: Students specifically from the target regions with at least 2.0 GPA
- Application deadline: March 1
15. MITES Summer
MITES is a residential summer program at MIT, available to rising high school juniors, running for six weeks. The program focuses on increasing interest and skills in STEM areas, mainly on students who come from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Duration: Six weeks
- Eligibility: High school juniors, with a focus on underrepresented backgrounds
- Application Deadline: February 1
16. Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Scholars, CSS
The CSS program at Carnegie Mellon University is a rigorous summer program that is designed for underrepresented computer science students. The program comprises coursework, labs, and projects to get students ready for college-level computer science.
- Duration: Four weeks (June 22 – July 20)
- Eligibility: Current high school sophomores 16 years of age or older
- Application Deadline: March 1
17. Forage Virtual Work Experience Programs
Forage offers high school students virtual work experience programs in tech, finance, and consulting. They comprise short programs consisting of real-world scenarios and tasks to strengthen skills and develop insights into the selected industries.
- Duration: Five to six hours
- Eligibility: All High School students
- Application Deadline: Varies
18. Fermilab TARGET
This is the six-week summer program at Fermilab for Illinois high school students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students attend lectures, participate in hands-on activities, and have one-on-one time with professionals working at Fermilab.
- Duration: Six weeks (June 17 – July 26)
- Eligibility: Illinois high school sophomores and juniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Application deadline: February 5
19. University of Chicago Data Science Institute Summer Lab
DSI Summer Lab brings together high school students to work on data science projects under the mentorship of faculty at the University of Chicago. Students will be working on coding, data analysis, and scientific research.
- Duration: Eight weeks—June 10 to August 2
- Eligibility: Freshman to senior year high school students
- Application Deadline: January 16
One other option…
20. Empowerly’s Startup Internship Program
The Empowerly Startup Internship Program allows high school and college students to engage in career paths, professional skills, and resume enhancement through globally-minded startups. The students are also provided assistance in reviewing their resumes, writing a cover letter, and preparing for an interview, setting them off on real work experience with super networking opportunities that further enhance future career prospects.
The flexible fall, spring, and summer sessions enable each student to be exposed to more than 40 startups in different industries like AI, health, and fashion. Contact Empowerly to learn when our next session is beginning!
Conclusion: Tech Internships for Your High School Year
A tech internship in high school can be a life-changing experience. It’s not just about exploring your passions; it’s about gaining real-world skills, building a professional network, and preparing yourself for the academic and career journey ahead. These internships aren’t just doorways into the tech world—they’re opportunities to test your abilities, innovate, and work on meaningful projects that could shape your future.
Beyond technical knowledge, these programs teach critical soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—qualities that are essential in any field. Plus, the mentorship and networking opportunities offered can open doors to college programs, scholarships, and even future job prospects! Don’t forget, you’ll most likely need to request letters of recommendation should you do another technology internship, or later, when you apply to college.
With technology embedded in every industry, the demand for tech-savvy professionals continues to grow. By participating in a high school internship, you’ll gain the skills and confidence needed to tackle the challenges of the digital age. Whether you dream of becoming a software engineer, data scientist, cybersecurity expert, or even a tech entrepreneur, these internships provide the perfect first step toward achieving your goals.
Ready to take the next step?
Make sure to check the specific requirements and deadlines for each program, and don’t hesitate to apply. The experience and knowledge you’ll gain are invaluable as you start your journey into the world of tech.
At Empowerly, we’re here to help you level up your future. Our expert counselors offer tailored guidance to help you land top internships and navigate the college admissions process. From crafting standout applications to mastering interviews, we’ll be with you every step of the way. Reach out to Empowerly today and start building your path to success in the tech industry.
