10 Internships for High School Students in Alabama
Internships are one of the best ways for high school students to gain real-world experience, develop essential skills, and explore potential career paths. These hands-on opportunities offer exposure to industries and professionals and allow you to build connections that can shape your future academic and career choices. Internships also give you a competitive edge when it comes to college applications, showing admissions officers your commitment to learning outside the classroom.Â
For high school students in Alabama, there are plenty of internship opportunities spanning STEM, business, healthcare, and the arts. We've curated a list of 10 internships for high school students in Alabama to help you explore these opp!
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. 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.Â
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies, on average raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. 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. Interns are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other such valuable skills and will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location:Â Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Application Deadline:Â Deadlines vary depending on the cohortÂ
Program Dates:Â Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, students have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more.
This program is a great opportunity for students who have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. Students get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
Cost:Â $2,490
Application Deadline: December 15, 2025 for the winter cohort
Internship Date: The start date for the winter cohort is January 5, 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI programÂ
Cost:Â No cost; students will receive a stipend
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates:Â N/A
Location:Â Federal Defender Program, Montgomery, AL
Eligibility: High school studentsÂ
The Federal Defender Program for the Middle District of Alabama offers a paid summer internship for a select group of high school students. This internship provides valuable exposure to the federal criminal justice system and supports office staff. You will undergo training and orientation before assisting attorneys and staff at various stages of client representation. The tasks assigned to you will be based on your skills and may include organizing case materials, contacting community resources, making referrals for services, and helping with office tasks like mail delivery, filing, and copying. Although there are no specific deadlines or dates for this internship, you can submit your materials via mail or fax to the Executive Director of the program, Christine A. Freeman. Click here for more details.Â
Cost:Â Participation is free, but students are responsible for covering any expenses related to attending the in-person portion of the program
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates:Â The virtual program will take place in June 2025, while the in-person programs in Alabama and Colorado will be held in July 2025
Location:Â Hybrid; Various locations in Alabama or Colorado
Eligibility: High school students who are Alabama or Colorado residents
The ASA Aerospace Summer Internship Program offers high school and college students a chance to explore the aerospace industry. Ideal for those interested in STEM fields, the program spans two weeks: one virtual week and one in-person week, either in Alabama or Colorado. You will explore different aerospace facilities, connect with industry experts, participate in hands-on activities, and get an insider look at cutting-edge projects. This is a great opportunity to gain real-world experience in aerospace while networking with professionals in the field.
Cost:Â Participation is free, but students are responsible for covering any expenses related to attending the in-person portion of the program
Application Deadline: N/A. Click here to write to them for more information
Program Dates:Â Usually May to August
Location:Â Alabama Colon & Gastro, Huntsville, AL
Eligibility: High school and college students
Founded in 2017, Alabama Colon & Gastro, PC’s Summer Internship Program offers high school and college students a chance to explore medical careers. Through this internship, you will gain hands-on experience in a medical office, shadow providers, and learn about gastroenterology and the healthcare field. This paid internship requires you to work a minimum of 15 hours per week during the summer, from May to August.
Cost:Â No cost; students will receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Program Dates:Â Between June-July
Location:Â Hybrid: remote/various locations in Alabama
Eligibility: High school seniors and juniorsÂ
The QuantHub Alabama Data Scholars Internship Program offers high school juniors and seniors across the state a chance to gain paid, hands-on experience in data science. Over 8 weeks, you will work with Alabama-based companies that creatively use data, building your skills in AI, data science, and professional development. This program not only helps you grow your data literacy but also allows you to contribute to Alabama’s tech industry.
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: June 20, 2025
Program Dates: June 27, 2025
Location: Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Alabama Youth Institute at Tuskegee University is a unique opportunity for high school students who want to address global social justice issues. This program allows you to collaborate with local leaders, participate in hands-on activities, and explore how you can make a real impact in Alabama and beyond. This is a valuable program for students who want to pursue a career in the development sector or related fields. Those participating in the program are recognized as Borlaug Scholars, which can open doors to future internships and opportunities.
Cost: No cost; students receive a stipend of $12/hr
Application Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Program Dates: Varies based on when you apply
Location: Edmundite Missions, Selma, AL
Eligibility: Current high school seniors from Selma High School, Alabama
The Alabama Power Internship Program at the Edmundite Missions Center for Workforce Development is a semester-long initiative offering a blend of paid work experience within the Missions' operations and comprehensive academic support. This program is designed to equip you with essential workplace skills, enhance your communication abilities, and foster both technical and interpersonal competencies critical for future career success. The internship requires an average commitment of 15 hours per week, with participants earning $12 per hour for their time and dedication.
Cost:Â No cost
Application Deadline: October 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program); you have to be an ASMS student to get this internship
Program Dates:Â Varies
Location:Â Various locations in Alabama
Eligibility: Open to ASMS students who are rising 11th and 12th graders
The ASMS summer internship program is open to rising 11th and 12th graders at the school and offers hands-on experience in a professional setting. You will commit to at least 60 hours of work at your placement site, attend weekly check-ins with ASMS staff, and present your experiences at the start of the following school year. Completing the program will earn you .25 CU in general elective credit at ASMS, which makes it a great way to gain real-world skills while boosting your academic record. Past ASMS interns have worked at locations like the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Cancer Institute, Volkert, Inc., and Negative Capability Press.
Cost:Â No cost; students will receive a stipend
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates:Â Usually in June
Location:Â Williamson High School, Mobile, AL
Eligibility: Students who are currently enrolled in an MCPSS High School and will be an upcoming Senior for the 2023-24 school year
Part of the Mobile County Public Schools, Williamson High School offers summer internships to its students. These part-time internships pay no less than minimum wage, and you are required to commit to at least 15 hours a week. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience while earning an income. To learn more about the application process, check out their website here.Â
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD 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.