As the fall semester approaches, high school students have the opportunity to make the most of it by doing an internship. In this article, we'll introduce you to 10 fall internships for high school students. These internships not only provide valuable professional experiences but also offer insights into potential careers in the subjects of your interest.

Completing an internship can help you demonstrate your interest in a subject to college admissions officers. From finance to the arts to science, there is a diverse range of opportunities available for all students. We'll also discuss how these internships can help you gain practical skills, build your resume, and get a head start on your future career path. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.

1. Ladder Internships

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.

Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November). 

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

2. Internships at Dolphin Research Center

The Dolphin Research Center’s Volunteer Resources Department hosts an Internship Program that allows high school students to gain insight into the inner workings of a marine mammal facility at DRC. These internships are department-focused, typically spanning 16 to 18 weeks. As an intern, you must dedicate 40 hours per week, typically spending four days within your designated department and one day providing support for daily operations. Additionally, you may take on supplemental projects based on DRC's needs and your skills and interests. The Dolphin Research Center offers internships across several departments, including Animal Care and Training, Education, Information Technologies, the Medical Department, Research, and Visual Communications.

Stipend: Unpaid

Location: Dolphin Research Center, FL (Non-residential)

Application Deadline (Fall): June 15

Program Dates (Fall): September-December (duration is 16-18 weeks)

Selectivity: Selective (the number of internship positions is very limited)

Eligibility: High school students who have English language proficiency and are physically fit

3. Textron Aviation High School Internship Program

Textron Aviation is an aviation company that caters to the aviation needs of government, military, and commercial clients. While the company's core expertise lies in engineering and manufacturing, it offers a diverse set of internships for high school students. Apart from engineering and manufacturing internships, openings are also available in fields such as finance, sales, marketing, IT, flight operations, and human resources. The aim of these internships is to offer students the opportunity to explore potential careers within the aviation sector, exposing them to business-oriented tasks.

Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)

Location: Wichita, KS, and Columbus, GA

Application Deadline (Fall): TBD, see their website for openings

Program Dates (Fall): Part-time work during the Fall, between 8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday

Selectivity: Selective (cohort size unspecified)

Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 16 and 19 who are U.S. citizens

4. U.S. Senate Page Program

The U.S. Senate Page Program offers a unique opportunity for high school juniors to engage in public service, interact with national leaders, and observe Senate debates firsthand. As a page, you'll have a significant role in the Senate's daily operations, sharing responsibilities with other pages. Tasks involve delivering letters and legislative materials within the Capitol and Senate office buildings, setting up the Senate Chamber for sessions, assisting during roll call votes on the Senate floor, providing support to senators and staff during debates, and delivering bills and amendments to the Senate desk. This program offers a unique glimpse into the legislative process, providing you with insight into the inner workings of the nation's capital. Check out our in-depth review of this program here!

Stipend: Pages are paid on an annual salary basis of $35,360.

Location: United States Senate, Washington, DC (Residential)

Application Deadline (Fall): The application materials you need vary by senator and state

Program Dates (Fall): Early September - Late January

Selectivity: Highly selective (only 30-page positions exist each term-15 male and 15 female)

Eligibility: High school juniors aged between 16-18 years who are U.S. citizens with a valid social security number and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

5. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship

The New York City Office of the Mayor offers internship opportunities to high school students interested in gaining insight into city government and policy. During your internship, you will work with full-time staff on a range of projects. These tasks will involve conducting research, attending meetings, managing incoming inquiries, analyzing data, drafting briefings, and assisting with event coordination. You'll also have the chance to learn about City government operations through the bi-weekly Speaker Series, where guest speakers, including Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, Program Directors, and other senior staff, will share their professional insights. You'll collaborate with fellow interns to develop a service project that uplifts New Yorkers in need. To learn more about this internship, check our out complete guide here.

Stipend: $15/hour

Location: New York City

Application Deadline (Fall/Spring): August 11th

Program Dates (Fall/Spring): October 2nd - April 19th.

Selectivity: Selective

Eligibility: You must be a New York City Resident, enrolled in high school, 16 years old or older, and have current working papers at the time of application.

6. San Diego District Office Internship at Congressman Scott Peters’ Office

The internship opportunity with Congressman Scott Peters' office is designed for students interested in political science. As an intern, you'll take on a range of responsibilities, including handling phone calls, composing letters, and addressing constituent inquiries. You may also have the chance to make meaningful contributions to constituent casework and important District-based projects. This internship focuses on engaging with the local community, offering opportunities to connect with residents and acquire insights into the workings of legislation. You will benefit from the guidance and mentorship of Congressman Peters' team.

Stipend: $15/hour

Location: Congressman Scott Peters’ San Diego District Office

Application Deadline (Fall): August 20

Program Dates (Fall): 20 hours/week for 10-12 weeks during the Fall term

Selectivity: Highly selective, since this is a position also open to college and graduate students (cohort size is unspecified)

Eligibility: All high school seniors are eligible to apply

7. Alley Pond’s Field Biology Internships

The Alley Pond Environmental Center’s Field Biology Internship (FBI) is designed for high school students interested in field research, urban biology, and the complexities of local ecosystems and wildlife. This program offers a foundation in research and experimental design. You'll explore a range of ecosystems within Alley Pond Park and other Queens, NYC areas, conducting biodiversity surveys, bird observations, soil and water quality assessments, macroinvertebrate identification, coastal seining, and native flora planting. Throughout your internship, you'll learn from environmental experts and build connections with fellow interns and mentors.

Cost: $150 program fee (financial aid is available upon request)

Location: Alley Pond Environmental Center, NY

Application Deadline (Fall): September 1

Program Dates (Fall): Saturdays, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm: September 30th, October 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, November 4th

Selectivity: Welcoming (cohort size unspecified)

Eligibility: All high school students aged 14 years and above

8. On The Money Internship

On the Money Magazine operates as an online publication headquartered in Chicago, focusing on catering to the teenage demographic. Crafted ‘by teens and for teens', this platform aims to increase financial literacy and entrepreneurship education among adolescents. Specifically, their fall internship program offers the chance to research and craft articles on finance and entrepreneurship. This publication collaborates with DePaul University's Writing Center, offering you an opportunity to express economic and financial concepts through writing. Applicants will be required to undergo an interview, either virtually or in person, and are expected to submit a sample of their work prior.

Cost/Stipend: Not specified

Location: Chicago (Hybrid)

Application Deadline (Fall): Applications are due before September. See more details here.

Program Dates (Fall): Part-time, September - December

Selectivity: Selective (cohort size unspecified)

Eligibility: You must currently be in high school and a resident of the city of Chicago

9. DiverseWorks’ Internships

DiverseWorks, a non-profit organization at the intersection of multiple art disciplines, offers internship opportunities for students aspiring to careers as curators, artists, or arts administrators. Those selected will gain exposure to the workings of a non-profit arts entity by collaborating with staff on curatorial, marketing, development, and administrative projects. You will have a range of responsibilities, including artist research for upcoming events, assisting with promotional and marketing endeavors, updating the membership database, handling general administrative tasks, aiding in gallery upkeep, and preparing for evening art performances, events, and exhibition openings. You will be part of a reading group with other interns to foster a deeper appreciation of contemporary art spaces and practices.

Stipend: Paid (amount unspecified)

Location: DiverseWorks Office, Houston, TX

Application Deadline (Fall): August 28

Program Dates (Fall): September - December

Selectivity: Highly selective (only 2-3 interns are engaged each semester, and preference is given to college students seeking academic credit)

Eligibility: All high school students

10. U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Headquarters Student Internship Program

Treasury student internships, based in Washington, D.C., offer opportunities for high school students to gain exposure to federal careers. While specific responsibilities vary by office placement, intern tasks may include data analysis, research, communication, government engagement, event coordination, and contributing to key management functions. These internships offer a glimpse into the workings of the Treasury Department's offices, the headquarters responsible for devising strategies in economics, finance, and national security, as well as the overall management of the Treasury Department. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

Stipend: Unpaid

Location: Washington, D.C. (Non-residential)

Application Deadline: Apply in June. All internship opportunities will be announced on www.usajobs.gov.

Program Dates (Fall): September-December

Selectivity: Selective (cohort sizes depend on the specific opportunity)

Eligibility: Students must be U.S. citizens and enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution

A few other great prestigious fall internship options are Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, the Youth Council Internship at Democracy Maine, and the NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships.

One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you would like to conduct advanced research, you should also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source: Dolphin Research Center logo