For high school students, securing an internship can be a valuable experience because it offers exposure to potential careers and provides a competitive edge in college applications. Internships provide an opportunity to gain work experience, develop useful skills, and explore your interests in a professional setting. 

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 11 internships for high school students in Florida, each offering unique opportunities for growth and learning. 

1. Ladder Internship Program

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. Summer Research Internship @ Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

Cost/Stipend: $12.50/hour

Location: Jupiter, FL

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March

Program Dates: June 17 - July 26

Eligibility: Students entering junior or senior year in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school; must be at least 16 years old.

The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) offers an exceptional summer research internship that allows high school students to explore brain science. This 6-week program is designed for students with a strong interest in neuroscience, providing them with the opportunity to work alongside researchers in a state-of-the-art facility. The program focuses on advanced imaging techniques to explore brain structure, function, and development. The program includes professional development workshops, where you will receive guidance on building resumes, exploring career paths, and developing essential skills for STEM fields. This program is very selective, with only 8 seniors selected this year. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

3. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship at UMiami’s School of Medicine

Cost/Stipend: A stipend is provided

Location: Miller School of Medicine, UMiami, FL

Application Deadline: January 31

Program Dates: June 17 - August 9

Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors. Here is an expansion on eligibility

The JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship is an excellent opportunity for high school juniors in the Miami and Broward areas who are interested in biological and computational sciences. This 8-week program introduces you to research, providing the opportunity to work with scientists and researchers. You will be paired with a mentor to collaborate on projects focused on human genetics. The internship is designed to develop your research and presentation skills, with an emphasis on exploring the genetic factors that contribute to human diseases. You will attend seminars and workshops that enhance your understanding of genomics and research methodologies. The internship culminates in a final presentation.

4. Cell-Science Summer Internship Program

Cost/Stipend: $200

Location: Fremont, FL

Application Deadline: No formal deadline; students should email cellscience@sciencegurus.org in advance of the program.

Program Dates: 8 weeks during June - July. 

Eligibility: Open to students who have completed their junior year of high school 

The Rational Drug Design and Discovery Program offers an intensive experience for rising high school seniors interested in biotechnology and rational drug design. This 8-week program introduces students to bioinformatics research projects focused on the design and discovery of new drugs. Under the guidance of researchers and industry professionals, you will gain experience in drug discovery techniques, experimental design, and data analysis. The program features guest lectures and workshops that delve into career development in the field of biotechnology. At the end of the program, you will present your research findings through oral presentations and detailed project reports. 

5. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Teen Academic Year Program

Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend; students will receive academic credit 

Location: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL (virtual and hybrid options available).

Application Deadline: July 31

Program Dates: Runs for 14 weeks, beginning September 3

Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher with an excellent attendance record. Must be enrolled in the Miami-Dade County Public School (M-DCPS) Academic Internship Program

The Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Teen Academic Year Program offers high school juniors and seniors to gain experience in healthcare administration while earning academic credit. This program runs throughout the academic year. Participants are expected to dedicate 5–10 hours per week to their internship. You will develop valuable skills in healthcare management and gain experience in a professional setting. The program includes ongoing support and assessment. This internship helps you build a strong foundation for future careers in the medical field. 

6. FIU’s Summer Research Internship in Cardiovascular Health

Cost/Stipend: No cost (no stipend information listed)

Location: Miami, FL

Application Deadline: Applications typically close by May.

Program Dates: June 14 - August 9

Eligibility: Open to high school rising seniors. 

Florida International University’s Summer Research Internship in Cardiovascular Health is an intensive 8-week program for high school students interested in careers in medical research. This internship allows students to engage in cardiovascular health research, working alongside faculty mentors from Florida International University (FIU). Before the program begins, you will complete a series of online safety courses to prepare for lab work. You will attend journal clubs and case study discussions to refine your research skills and gain a deeper understanding of cardiovascular health. The internship concludes with you submitting your research abstract and presenting your work at an awards ceremony. 

7. Medicine Encompassed

Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions 

Program Dates: Internships are held year-round

Eligibility: Open to all high school students 

For students interested in exploring medical careers, Medicine Encompassed offers a unique opportunity through its student-run nonprofit organization. You can choose from a variety of roles across 18 different committees, allowing you to explore writing, editing, sponsorships, graphic design, marketing, and resource creation. You will research medical topics, produce informative articles, create educational guides, and develop resources that broaden understanding of healthcare. Additionally, you can contribute to the 'Project Cultivation' outreach initiative, which focuses on improving access to medical education. 

8. Observer Program at Baptist Health Academics

Cost: No cost or stipend

Location: South Florida, FL

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Program Dates: Varies depending on the clinician you are assigned to 

Eligibility: Open to students who are at least 16 years old 

The Baptist Health Academics’ Observer Program offers an externship and shadowing experience rather than a traditional internship. Through this program, you will have the chance to shadow Baptist Health clinicians during various patient care activities. You can choose to shadow under the guidance of a Baptist Health employee or medical staff member, including physicians. This observership offers an in-depth look at healthcare careers, enabling you to participate in medical rounds, observe procedures, and attend teaching conferences. The duration of the observership is flexible and is determined by the supervising clinician, with some placements lasting up to four weeks.

9. High School Summer Internship Program at FIU’s Center for Translational Science

Location: Miami, FL

Cost, Application Deadline, and Program Dates: Specific information is available through Public Schools in St. Lucie County

Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors who live and attend school in St. Lucie County

Florida International University’s Center for Translational Science (FIU-CTS) offers a 5-week program for high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring biomedical research. This program provides the opportunity to work alongside scientists specializing in neuroscience, aging and wellness, and drug discovery. You will conduct experiments, analyze data, and collaborate with researchers to review your findings. The program also includes networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with professionals in the field, as well as a final presentation. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate, a letter from the Program Director, and a scientific poster of your research, which can be used for future competitions. Additionally, interns accumulate over 100 volunteer hours, further enhancing their college applications and resumes.

10. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internships at the University of Florida Health

Cost/Stipend: $4,480 stipend for the whole summer; issued bi-weekly.

Location: Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March

Program Dates: June 3 - August 2

Eligibility: Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, will begin their junior or senior year in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school in the fall, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and will be 16 years old by the first day of the program 

The Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute is a prestigious 9-week program designed to introduce rising juniors and seniors to biological and chemical research. This internship offers the opportunity to explore careers in academic research, drug discovery, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering. You will begin with a one-week introductory course, where you'll learn essential techniques and applications used in biomedical research. Throughout the internship, you will engage in research planning, data analysis, experimental design, and interaction with professional scientists. The program also features weekly seminars and culminates in the submission of a written scientific abstract and a final presentation, where you will showcase your research findings.

One other option - the 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.