Opportunity category
Internships for High School Students
Internships are one of the fastest ways to turn a classroom interest into real-world experience. These programs let high schoolers work alongside professionals, build a portfolio, and earn references that strengthen a college application.
Summer High School Internship Program - Fred Hutch
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
High school students participate in an eight-week summer internship, working alongside researchers and scientists on projects related to cancer research and public health.
Creative Practice
The Brooklyn Museum
This paid internship allows New York City teens to work with teaching artists, assist in classes, and explore art, education, and museum careers, building their résumés in the process.
Pathways Internship Program
U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Department of State's Pathways Internship Program offers paid internship opportunities to U.S. citizens in high school through graduate school, allowing them to explore Federal careers.
Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Northeastern University
The Young Scholars Program at Northeastern University offers Massachusetts high school seniors hands-on research experience in science and engineering, with topics ranging from active particles to cancer therapies. Participants also attend seminars, workshops, and corporate site visits. Applications open in January for the following summer.
Summer Internship
Museum of the Rockies
The Museum of the Rockies is a research and history museum affiliated with Montana State University. It features a vast collection of dinosaur fossils, including a complete T. rex skeleton. The museum offers various exhibits, planetarium shows, educational programs, and camps for members and visitors.
Internships for Credit &/or Experience
Gloucester County
The County offers unpaid internships for high school and college students, which can be used to earn credit or gain work experience.
The Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
MTC provides Bay Area high school students with the chance to learn about metropolitan planning and government service careers through hands-on experience.
Next Gen High School Internship Program
Emory University School of Medicine
Emory University's paid summer internship program aims to increase representation of underrepresented minorities in STEM fields. High school students from the metropolitan Atlanta area participate in the program to explore STEM career possibilities.
YouthBridge-NY Fellowship
YouthBridge-NY
YouthBridge-NY's two-year Fellowship program provides high school juniors and seniors from diverse backgrounds with intensive trainings on leadership and diversity.
PrepareRI High School Internship Program
Skills for Rhode Island’s Future
The PrepareRI High School Internship Program is a 7-week work-based learning experience for Rhode Island public high school juniors. Selected students receive job readiness coaching, paid internships with employer partners, and the opportunity to earn up to $4,200 during the summer.
Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program (RSYEP)
City of Raleigh
Teenagers aged 15 to 18 in Raleigh, North Carolina can participate in a six-week summer work program with the City of Raleigh, where they gain workforce skills, build relationships, and receive training and networking opportunities.
Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society Docent
Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society
Volunteers at the Santa Clarita History Center, known as docents, give guided tours of the museum and share local history with school groups and community organizations.
Teen Volunteer Program
Boston Public Library
Boston Public Library's Teen Volunteer Program teaches teens (grades 9-12) valuable work skills, including customer service and communication. Participants will build a resume and practice interviewing techniques.
Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Internship/Practicum
Boston University Summer Term
Boston University's RISE program offers a 6-week internship or practicum for high school juniors interested in STEM subjects. Students will work on research projects, attend lectures, and participate in workshops to develop academic and professional skills.
Odysea Aquarium Internship Program
Odysea Aquarium
The OdySea Aquarium offers unpaid internships in various departments, lasting 3-4 months with a minimum of 3-5 days a week. Interns can gain valuable experience and skills in their chosen field.
Lancaster Museum of Art and History Volunteer
Lancaster Museum of Art and History
The Lancaster Museum of Art and History seeks volunteers who are passionate about art and history. As a volunteer, you will work closely with staff and gain hands-on experience contributing to the museum's operations.
Internship Program
Cair Chicago
CAIR-Chicago offers an internship and externship program for students. The program is career-oriented and focuses on grassroots activism.
Youth Summer Program
Brigham and Women's Hospital
The Brigham and Women's Hospital internship program is a 7-week paid experience for students. They work in various departments, focusing on professional development, healthcare career exposure, and community health.
Internship Program
World Affairs Council of Connecticut
The World Affairs Council offers unpaid internships and fellowships in a dynamic work environment, lasting three months in the Spring, Fall, and Summer, or 9-12 months for the Fellowship position.
Engineering High School Intern
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Lockheed Martin is seeking candidates for a job opportunity that includes on-the-job training and mentorship in computer, electrical, or mechanical systems, software development, integration, and testing.
California State Parks Student Employment Program
California State Parks
The California State Parks Student Employment Program offers students various roles, including youth aides, student assistants, and graduate assistants, to explore career paths, develop skills, and earn money. Students can work in Sacramento headquarters, district offices, and facilities, and may earn credit towards graduation.
Youth Action Institute
Center for Justice Innovation
The Youth Action Institute offers a public policy research fellowship for young New Yorkers to investigate and identify solutions to issues affecting their lives. Fellows research topics like public safety and the legal system, and provide policy recommendations to support better outcomes for impacted youth.
Vermont Adaptive’s Apprenticeship Program
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports
Vermont Adaptive's Apprenticeship Program is for students aged 14-17 who want to volunteer and gain experience working with athletes with disabilities. Participants will learn about non-profit management, share their passions, and potentially earn school credit and build their resume.
American Red Cross Teen Volunteer
American Red Cross
Red Cross youth volunteers learn leadership skills, work with diverse groups, and make a positive impact in their communities through hands-on volunteer work.
High School Internship Program
Jersey 1st
Jersey 1st interns analyze legislation, write reports, develop advocacy campaigns, and give presentations to raise awareness about the impact of overtaxation and misused state resources.
Meta Summer Academy
Meta (Facebook)
Meta Summer Academy gives students the opportunity to work alongside the dynamic workforce of a leading social media network.
Youth Conservation Corp Crew Member Application
Lake County Forest Perserves
Past work projects have included tasks like developing nature trails, planting native flora, and restoring stream banks. Participants also learn basic work and life skills, environmental construction skills, and environmental awareness.
High School Program
Kaiser Permanente
At Kaiser Permanente's Oakland headquarters and Northern California medical offices, young adults can work on real projects in various roles, gaining experience in healthcare administration and support.
Legacy Youth Leadership Program
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
High school students in the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute's Legacy Youth Leadership Program participate in weekly workshops and internships to develop leadership skills and knowledge about African American history and culture.
Student Internship Job
Aztec Municipal School District
The Work-Based Learning Program offers internships that connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. These internships are available to Aztec Municipal Schools High School students and are linked to their career goals and Next Step Plan.
DPA's Law and Justice Reform Internship Program
The City and County of San Francisco
Interns with The Department of Police Accountability work on tasks such as reviewing body-worn camera footage, researching laws, and developing policies to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
Media Makers
Castle Square Tenants Organization
Media Makers interns learn various media production skills, creating projects on social issues affecting their communities. They gain expertise in digital illustration, graphic design, animation, public artwork, and social media strategy, using tools like drawing tablets and Adobe Photoshop.
Anchorage Fishing Intern
Alaska Geographic
This program teaches urban youth and their caregivers how to fish in their local area, promoting secure fishing abilities.
Pre-College Research Internship for Students from Minority Backgrounds [PRISM]
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
The PRISM program at UAB provides minority high school students with hands-on research experiences guided by surgeon mentors, exposing them to medical careers and enhancing college applications.
Student Historian Internship Program
New York Historical Society
High school students in the Student Historian intern program conduct research and create digital projects at New-York Historical, learning about careers in museums, libraries, and history fields.
Summer Youth Internship - Charleston County
The Summer Youth Internship Program
The Summer Youth Internship Program allows high school and college students to gain work experience, develop skills, and earn $15/hour by working 4-hour shifts in various county government departments.
RCPD Internships
Rapid City Police Department
The Rapid City Police Department Internship Program is available for post-secondary students pursuing a career in law enforcement. Interns work with a Field Supervisor, complete a project, and follow department guidelines.
Health Careers Summer Internship Program
Hawaii Pacific Health
Hawaii Pacific Health's Health Careers Summer Internship is a 6-week paid internship for high school juniors and seniors. Participants work in various health care professions, interact with professionals, and explore different health care careers.
Youth Employment Services (YES) Program
City of Santa Clarita
The Youth Employment Services Program provides job training for low-income or high-risk teens aged 16-18 in Santa Clarita, partnering with local businesses and agencies for on-the-job experience.
Discovery Squad
Children’s Museum Houston
Teens aged 14-17 can join the Discovery Squad at the Children's Museum Houston, assisting with exhibits, activities, and programming throughout the year, including the summer months.
GGG Teen Entrepreneur
Get Girls Going
Get Girls Going is a 6-week summer program for Black high school girls that teaches entrepreneurship and leadership skills to help them tackle social issues and become leaders in their communities.
Teen Intern (Library)
The Santa Barbara Public Library
The Santa Barbara Public Library offers paid internships for teens at its Central and Eastside Libraries, where they can choose between two tracks: Library Services or Maker Entrepreneurship, and gain experience in various library roles.
Internship Program
City of New Haven
The City of New Haven's Student Intern Program provides high school students with valuable work experience related to their academic field of study, potentially preparing them for permanent positions in the workforce.
High School Internship (Venture Analyst)
1435 Capital Management
High school students in their junior or senior year can apply for a venture analyst internship at a specialized venture capital firm in the Northeast US. Over the summer, they'll conduct research on startups, assist with due diligence, test products, meet entrepreneurs, and network with investors. This is a highly competitive opportunity to gain hands-on experience.
Hands on Experience and Internships
Missouri Innovation Campus
The Missouri Innovation Campus program provides students with a three-year, paid internship and job-ready skills through a curriculum developed by industry partners. Students work with professional mentors and are positioned to excel in their chosen careers.
Young Adult Leadership Council
ArtsWestchester
The Young Adult Leadership Council at ArtsWestchester is a program for youth aged 16-22. Members meet bi-monthly to plan and develop teen programs, including the Teen Tuesday and Thursday programs, at ArtsWestchester's gallery in downtown White Plains.
Vocational Internship Program
Massachusetts Clean Energy Commission
The Vocational Internship Program places vocational high school students in paid clean energy internships during the academic year, providing valuable work experience and networking opportunities with clean energy professionals.
Be Your Own Boss Internship
Future Founders
For four weeks, high school students can learn entrepreneurship and work with peers to build their own business as a paid intern.
New Victory Usher Corps
THE NEW VICTORY THEATER
High school juniors and seniors in New York City are part of the Usher Corps, a paid internship that offers professional training, workshops, and hands-on experience working with kids and families in a fast-paced environment.
Environmental Education Internship
Save The Bay
Save The Bay offers internships for students interested in education. Interns assist with environmental educational programs for kindergarten through high school and perform administrative tasks. They also have the opportunity to work at the Newport Aquarium or afterschool programs.
Teen Conservation Leaders
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Teen Conservation Leaders program teaches marine biology and conservation skills through a week-long summer training, followed by hands-on projects and community service hours.
High School and College Student Internship Program
City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge
The East Baton Rouge Parish internship program offers high school students hands-on work experience in various industries, allowing them to explore career interests, develop skills, and make professional connections.
NDSU Temp Plant Pathology Summer Intern
North Dakota State University
The NDSU Williston Research Extension Center offers a research internship where students assist with plant pathology research, including field and lab work, to improve crop health and sustainability in northwest North Dakota.
Academy/DPHA Summer Internship
Delaware Academy of Medicine
Students analyze public health data, identify gaps, and create a program logic model to address health issues through qualitative and quantitative research.
Inspiring Careers in Mentail Health
University of Texas Southwestern
This two-week summer internship introduces students to various careers in mental health, led by experienced clinicians, and covers topics such as psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, and community psychiatry.
UW Allen School Changemakers in Computing
University of Washington Allen School
Changemakers in Computing is a free summer program hosted by the University of Washington's Allen School. It serves Washington State high school students from marginalized backgrounds, teaching coding skills and exploring the impact of technology on society.
Mayor's Youth Council
City of Boston
The Mayor's Youth Council is a program that engages Boston's high school students in government and civic participation. Students work in committees and neighborhood working groups, collaborating with city officials and community leaders to address local issues.
SF YouthWorks & MYEEP
The Japanese Community Youth Council
SF YouthWorks provides paid job readiness training, workshops, and internships at various SF City Departments, including the Public Utilities Commission and the SF International Airport.
Teen Advisory Board
The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum
The Noguchi Museum's Teen Advisory Board is a paid internship where high school students learn about Isamu Noguchi's life and art, work on collaborative projects, and focus on social justice and community empowerment.
InterseXtions: Gender & Sexuality
The Brooklyn Museum
LGBTQ+ youth in NYC ages 14-19 work together to create art and organize programs for other queer and trans youth through a paid internship.
Frequently asked questions
Can high school students really get internships?
Yes. A growing number of companies, university labs, and nonprofits run internships specifically for students in grades 9–12, and many others will consider motivated high schoolers for general roles. The listings here are filtered to programs that accept high school students.
Are high school internships paid?
Some are, some aren’t. Paid internships are most common in tech and business, while research and nonprofit internships are often unpaid or offer a stipend. Every listing marks whether it’s paid so you can filter for what you need.
When should I apply for a summer internship?
Most summer internship applications open in the winter and close between January and March. Competitive programs fill early, so it’s best to apply as soon as applications open rather than waiting for the deadline.
Do I need prior experience to get an internship in high school?
Usually not. Most high school internships are designed for students just starting out and value curiosity and reliability over a long résumé. Check each program’s eligibility to be sure.