Law & Policy Opportunities for High School Students

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Haggerty Scholars Program connects high school juniors from underserved schools or underrepresented communities with attorney mentors for one-on-one guidance and support throughout the 2023-2024 school year.

The BALI program aims to empower young women and gender-expansive youth with the skills and confidence needed to become effective leaders in various aspects of life.

YouthBridge-NY's two-year Fellowship program provides high school juniors and seniors from diverse backgrounds with intensive trainings on leadership and diversity.

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.

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.

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.

CAIR-Chicago offers an internship and externship program for students. The program is career-oriented and focuses on grassroots activism.

The University of California, Santa Barbara offers a 6-week research program for high school students. Participants are paired with a mentor and work on a research project. They also attend lectures and network with peers and university researchers.

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.

MTC provides Bay Area high school students with the chance to learn about metropolitan planning and government service careers through hands-on experience.

The Young Leaders Academy is a summer residential conference at the University of Louisville for Kentucky high school students who have completed at least one year of high school. The McConnell Center offers this annual program to develop leadership skills and deepen understanding of American history, focusing on the theme of American Constitutionalism.

The County offers unpaid internships for high school and college students, which can be used to earn credit or gain work experience.

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.

The High School Learn and Earn Program is a 4-week paid internship from July to August, hiring 8-12 students to learn about water and wastewater careers in MDC member towns.

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.

Our office provides a valuable internship experience for students, focusing on professional skill development, knowledge of Congressional office work, and career growth through research, casework, and correspondence assistance.

Oak Hill offers a range of services for people with disabilities, from newborns to seniors. Students can participate in internships in areas such as sports and fitness, assistive technology, and administrative work.

The Governor’s Scholars Program is a free summer program for Kentucky high school seniors, aiming to develop the state’s next leaders through a residential experience.

The Boston Debate League's summer camp allows students to improve their public speaking and leadership skills, and learn about the Policy Debate topic for next year. Students gain experience and develop confidence in debate and argumentation. The camp helps students become better debaters, public speakers, and leaders on their teams.

Interns choose a department that interests them and work on various projects, like research, data analysis, and event planning, alongside staff members.

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.

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.

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.

The Job Readiness Training program in Santa Barbara County provides 8-week workshops, both online and in-person, which prepare students for potential paid internships aligned with their field of interest.

As a House Page, high school students work in the House chamber, run errands for Representatives and staff, and participate in the House Page Mock Legislature, with a daily schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Wednesday.

The VALOR JROTC Program is a six-week internship at Fermilab for Illinois high school students. Interns provide technical support under the supervision of a Fermilab employee and work with project teams and scientists.

The Eighth Judicial District Summer High School Internship Program lasts three weeks, from July 6th to July 27th. Students work Monday through Thursday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and gain knowledge about careers in the court system, working with judges and professionals.

High school students may participate in a college internship program, assisting with office work, constituent casework, and District-based projects.

The World Affairs Council of San Antonio offers internships for students interested in foreign policy, where they gain work experience and build skills in marketing, event planning, and organizational management.

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.

High school students in California's 28th Congressional District can join the Congressional Youth Advisory Council to discuss important issues affecting youth and collaborate with community leaders and staff.

The Urban Alliance offers a nine-month paid internship program for high school seniors with professional development training, paid internships, and individual support.

In Texas, public and private high schools are required by law to offer voter registration applications twice a year. However, reports show that this law is not consistently implemented. To address this issue, Rice University and the League of Women Voters of Houston are collaborating to provide direct support to high school students.

The Telluride Association Summer Seminar is a six-week summer program for high school sophomores and juniors. It covers all costs, including tuition, room, and board, and provides students with transformative educational experiences through critical thinking and community engagement.

Dartmouth College's ISTS program teaches advanced cybersecurity concepts through lectures, hands-on activities, and guest speakers. Students must have prior knowledge of cybersecurity and will complete an outreach project to educate their school and community. The program is funded by Dartmouth and the GenCyber initiative.

The Sotomayor Program has helped over 400 students gain experience with the legal system and develop their professional skills.

The Young Women's Leadership Institute at Barnard College in New York City focuses on the intersection of gender and leadership. Participants develop leadership skills and qualities through a feminist lens. The program encourages curiosity and passion in its participants.

High school students aged 16-24 can work part-time for local businesses for eight weeks during the summer, earning up to $3,200 and gaining valuable work experience.

Youth Congress offers paid internships to high school students aged 14-18, allowing them to gain independence and leadership skills in various settings, including offices and camps.

At NYU's High School Law Institute, high school students in New York City can participate in free, yearlong academic programs on Saturdays, focusing on constitutional law, criminal law, and speech and debate from 10 AM to 1 PM.

High school students can apply for internships at OPAT, where they'll engage in social justice issues around police reform and participate in the Youth Advisory Council.

The TRIO Upward Bound program at South Dakota State University supports students from low-income households or first-generation college students, providing academic support, emotional encouragement, and college application assistance.

The City of Charleston's Recreation Department is hiring a High School Summer Youth to assist with municipal recreation operations and community engagement.

The Secret Service offers unpaid internships to high school students to explore career options and develop personal and professional skills in a law enforcement setting.

The White House Internship Program allows high school students to gain professional experience, develop leadership skills, and learn about the Executive Office.

The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program places NYC public high school students with legal employers for the summer, providing additional training and preparation for a legal career.

The Hanover Summer Internship offers paid work experience and skill development in areas like time management, communication, and leadership, while also giving students insight into town government operations.

High school students in this program volunteer to work with archival materials and learn about Delaware history by indexing and digitizing documents.

This internship places high school students in law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest agencies in the Houston area. Students gain work experience, job readiness, and life skills while exploring potential careers in the legal field.

The LA County Department of Public Health offers virtual training sessions for community members to become certified ambassadors for public health. Participants learn about COVID-19 prevention and mitigation, mental health, and wellness resources.

The Summer Earn & Learn Program provides work readiness training and paid work experience for students with disabilities in Texas. Participants gain employability skills, work experience, and accommodations tailored to their needs. The program aims to create pathways to employment.

The Los Angeles County Student Election Worker Program allows high school students to work as Election Workers in county elections, receiving a stipend and hands-on experience in the democratic process.

DHR's Student Intern Pool allows high school students to submit their profiles to be considered for available municipal government positions.

The Job Shadow Blended Internship Program helps high school students explore their career interests. They complete a career assessment survey, conduct informational interviews, and participate in job shadowing experiences.

Citywide Youth Councils give 9th to 11th graders a voice in city policy by participating in team-building, research, and policy proposal creation.