Participating in an internship during high school can be a solid experience, and here’s why. Doing an internship as a high schooler can give you insights into various career paths and industries in a subject of your choice. These opportunities allow you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, develop professional skills, and gain a competitive edge when applying to college. Early exposure to professional environments enhances your resume and demonstrates your initiative and readiness for higher education.

In this article, we highlight 10 internships for high school students in Chicago! 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 Internship Program

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!

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. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

2. UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart

Location: University of Chicago

Cost/Stipend: $3,000 taxable stipend

Application Deadline: January 22

Dates/Duration: Typically from the second full week of June through the first week of August. Specific dates are announced with the release of application materials each fall.

Eligibility: High school junior or senior at the time of application, at least 16 years of age at the start of the program

ResearcHStart is a summer program for high school students with a deep interest in cancer research. This full-time experience provides research experience in fields such as cancer immunology, bioengineering, and experimental cancer therapeutics. Throughout the 8-week program, you will collaborate with university faculty and research professionals. This program emphasizes mentorship and professional development. ResearcHStart also incorporates career development and skill-building workshops. These workshops cover critical topics such as data analysis, research ethics, and career planning. 

3. After School Matters

Locations: The Michael and Karyn Lutz Center, Chicago | Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, Chicago | After School Matters at Gately Park, Chicago

Cost/Stipend: $15.80/hour

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Dates/Duration: June 24  -  August 2

Eligibility: Must be a Chicago resident or attend a Chicago Public High School aged 14 to 18. 

After School Matters (ASM) offers Chicago teens internships across multiple fields, including STEM, arts, and communication. ASM provides a flexible structure that allows you to choose the type of internship that best aligns with your career goals. All participants receive a stipend or hourly wage. ASM offers three types of internships:

1. Apprenticeships: Designed for students aged 14 and above, apprenticeships provide learning experiences in specific areas of interest.

2. Assistantships: Targeted at students aged 16 and above, assistantships introduce you to professional work environments. Students work on team projects under the guidance of mentors.

3. Internships: For high school students aged 16 and above, internships follow a more traditional structure, where students either lead team projects or develop their own.

4. UChicago’s DSI Summer Lab

Location: University of Chicago

Cost/Stipend: $4,800 stipend

Application Deadline: January 16 

Dates/Duration: June 10  -  August 2 

Eligibility: Open to all high school students.

The DSI Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is a 10-week research program for high school students with an interest in applied, interdisciplinary data science research. This internship pairs you with data science mentors who guide you through research methodologies, practices, and teamwork across various domains, including data science, computer science, climate policy, and energy systems. You will learn about core data science techniques and receive training in areas such as machine learning, data visualization, and statistical analysis. The culmination of the DSI Summer Lab experience is the presentation of each student's research findings.

5. Northwestern Medicine GSM Governor Discovery Program

Location: Various chapters across Illinois, including Cook County (City of Chicago and North Suburban Cook), Lake County, McHenry County, DeKalb, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, and Ogle counties, DuPage County and Kane County, Will County and South Suburban Cook County

Cost/Stipend: Varies based on internship

Application Deadline: September 30

Dates/Duration: Begins November 16. The program typically runs every Saturday for 1-2 years.

Eligibility: First-year applicants must be at least 15 years of age, be entering sophomore or junior year of high school, and have an academic GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale.

The Northwestern Medicine Governor Discovery Program is for high school students interested in exploring careers in healthcare. This program provides exposure to various medical fields, allowing you to gain practical experience and insights into the healthcare profession. You will participate in various activities, including job shadowing healthcare professionals, clinical skills workshops, and seminars covering diverse medical specialties and healthcare topics. You will also receive mentorship from Northwestern Medicine professionals. By participating in the Governor Discovery Program, you will strengthen your college applications and gain valuable skills that will benefit your future career.

6. Chicago Architecture Center Summer Fellows

Location: Chicago Architecture Center

Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided.

Application Deadline: March 31

Program Dates: Summer - Spring (3 semesters) 

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in Chicago high schools. 

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) Teen Fellows program offers a unique opportunity for Chicago youth to explore architecture and design. Spanning three semesters, this program allows you to learn about careers in architecture, earn college credit, and work alongside industry professionals. As a Teen Fellow, you’ll engage in design projects that address local challenges, allowing you to build a robust portfolio. The program provides training in digital design tools like SketchUp and AutoCAD, along with the creation of physical models using a variety of materials. While the Teen Fellows program is not a traditional internship, it is a useful stepping-stone for students interested in architecture.

7. NASA Internships

Location: Various NASA facilities across the U.S. (with virtual options available)

Cost/Stipend: Varies based on internship

Application Deadline: Varies from internship to internship 

Dates/Duration: Fall: late August/early September to mid-December (16 weeks) | Spring: mid-January to early May (16 weeks) | Summer: late May/early June to August (10 weeks)

Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens and have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers a range of internships across their facilities in the United States. Internships span various fields, including engineering, data analysis, astrophysics, and supply chain management. You can browse their database to find internships for high school students. In addition to practical experience, NASA internships offer the chance to network with professionals, participate in educational workshops, and contribute to projects. The diversity of internships available ensures that students can find a program that aligns with their interests. For tips to increase your chances of securing an internship, check out this ultimate guide to NASA internships.

8. Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) by the American Bar Association

Location: California, Illinois, Texas

Cost/Stipend: $2,000 (paid at the end of the internship); housing and transportation costs are not covered.

Application Deadline: January 12 (the program will continue to accept applications until slots are filled)

Dates/Duration: June - August (6 weeks minimum) 

Eligibility: High school seniors and undergraduate students.

The Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) offered by the American Bar Association provides a prestigious opportunity for high school seniors traditionally underrepresented in the legal field. This competitive program places interns with state or federal judges, allowing them to gain experience with the judiciary and legal research. During the internship, you will engage in judicial research and writing. The program includes orientations and receptions in participating cities. These events provide excellent networking opportunities, and local law firms often host additional networking events. Interns may also have the opportunity to observe court proceedings.

9. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging’s Summer Research Internship 

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: No Cost

Application Deadline: March 31

Program Dates: June 17 - June 28

Eligibility: High school students over the age of 14 by the start of the program who are U.S. residents.

The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) offers a two-week virtual internship for those interested in the intersection of AI and healthcare. The internship combines lectures on the fundamentals of AI in healthcare with research projects. You will be mentored by Stanford researchers, who will guide you through AI applications in medical imaging and diagnostics. The program offers an option to extend the internship into an independent research project.

10. UChicago Medicine’s SHE (Summer Healthcare Experience) in Oncology

Location: Virtually hosted by the University of Chicago 

Cost/Stipend: $500 taxable stipend

Application Deadline: March 4; Admission is based on teacher nominations from participating Chicago high schools.

Dates/Duration: Two weeks, typically in the second half of July. 

Eligibility: Rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior

The Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology is a virtual program for Chicago high school students interested in science and medicine. This 2-week program offers an exploration of oncology, where you will engage with genetics-based research projects and patient case studies. You will benefit from daily lectures by University of Chicago faculty, panel discussions, and skill-building workshops. The curriculum covers essential aspects of cancer science and care. You will work with peers and mentors, gaining insights into the challenges in cancer research and treatment.

One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in STEM or other fields, you could also 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 4000 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.