10 Internships for High School Students in Georgia
Internships provide high school students with valuable, real-world experience that goes beyond what’s taught in the classroom. By stepping into professional roles, you can gain firsthand insight into workplace dynamics, build essential skills, and understand what different careers entail. These experiences are especially helpful for exploring potential fields of interest, from business and engineering to healthcare and technology.
Internships also add depth to your college applications, showcasing your initiative, maturity, and commitment to understanding a field before choosing a major. By highlighting your early exposure to a professional setting, these experiences signal your readiness to take on academic challenges and further career-specific learning.
To help you find the right fit, here’s a list of 10 internships in Georgia designed for high school students looking to build practical skills and a professional foundation.
Ladder Internships is a competitive program aimed at motivated high school students who want to gain experience at fast-growing start-ups. In this internship, you’ll work with companies across a range of sectors, including technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. You can view all available opportunities in the application form. The start-ups involved typically raise over a million dollars and feature founders who are YCombinator alumni, have secured over 30 million dollars in funding, or have backgrounds at companies like Microsoft, Google, and Meta.
As an intern, you’ll work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach on practical projects, with the chance to present your outcomes to the company. Interns will also receive personalized training in key skills such as communication and time management, along with group training sessions with peers in their cohort. The virtual internship typically spans 8 weeks. Here’s the application form.
Cost: $2,490 (Financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. December 16, 2024 onwards for the winter cohort
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 offered by Veritas AI is organized by Harvard graduate students. During this 8-week internship, participants collaborate with venture capital-backed start-ups on practical AI/ML projects. Interns benefit from direct mentorship from professionals affiliated with Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and others.
This program is ideal for students who already have some experience in AI/ML and wish to gain hands-on insights into a career in this field. Participants will have the opportunity to network with industry experts, engage closely with company leadership, and receive a certificate of completion at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
Cost: $2,490. Financial aid available
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. December 15, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Internship Dates: Varies according to cohort. January 5, 2025 onwards for the winter cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program introduces Georgia students to careers in computer science and technology through a paid, four-week internship. You will gain hands-on experience in software engineering, product management, and UX design by working in small groups on the design phase of product development.
You will get to tackle real-world challenges as you understand customer needs and contribute to the product lifecycle. Mentorship from Microsoft employees and exposure to tech discussions will further enhance your professional and technical skills, making this a valuable stepping stone for future careers in tech. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Cost: No cost (Stipend of $20/hour)
Location: Microsoft campus, Atlanta, GA
Application Deadline: Application for 2025 will open in late February 2025
Internship Dates: July 7 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: High school seniors who reside and attend school within 50 miles of Redmond, Washington, or those living and attending high school in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Students should have completed pre-calculus or an equivalent course by the start of the program. Check other details here.
The TAG-Ed High School Summer Internship Program offers students with an interest in technology and STEM a hands-on learning experience with companies throughout Georgia. In this five-week internship, you’ll be paired with other interns on a project tailored to your field of interest. The program includes mentorship from industry professionals and regular feedback to help build your skills and track progress. This experience provides valuable exposure to STEM fields and professional development for students interested in technology.
Cost: No cost (Stipend: $1,500)
Location: Multiple opportunities in Georgia
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Internship Dates: The 5-week internship typically runs between June and July
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
Bank of America's Student Leaders Program connects community-driven high schoolers in Georgia with meaningful, paid internships at local nonprofits, offering hands-on experience in civic engagement and organizational leadership. Through an eight-week internship, you will develop essential skills in social and business leadership, working with nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity. The program also includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will engage with fellow student leaders and learn about social impact, enhancing your ability to make a difference. For tips on how to get into this selective program, check out our full guide.
Cost: This is a paid internship, but specific details about the compensation are not available. The trip to Washington, D.C., is fully funded
Location: Multiple locations in the country, including many cities and counties in Georgia
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Internship Dates: 8-week program that usually begins shortly after the school year ends
Eligibility: Junior and senior high school students. Check the detailed eligibility criteria here
The University of Georgia's Young Scholars Program provides a five-week, paid summer internship for high school students interested in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences. You will engage in 30 hours per week of research, mentored by UGA faculty, with hands-on experience in labs across the Athens, Griffin, or Tifton campuses. Complementing the research experience are workshops and agricultural site visits, allowing you to explore careers in the field. The program culminates in a poster presentation at the Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference at the UGA Athens campus.
Cost: This is a paid internship, but the stipend is not specifiedLocation: University of Georgia, Athens, Griffin, or Tifton, GA
Application Deadline: Applications are typically due by the end of January
Internship Dates: The 5-week program typically runs from the end of May to July
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old. Check more details here
The Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University offers a six-week Summer Scholars Research Program for 10–12 high school students. This research internship allows you to work closely with a physician or researcher on cancer-related projects, gaining valuable lab skills and research experience. The program includes lectures from oncology experts and field trips to institutions like the CDC and culminates in a final symposium where you present your findings. This internship is designed to inspire students to explore careers in cancer research and oncology.
Cost: No cost (Stipend: $2,400)
Location: Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
Application Deadline: The application cycle opens in the fall
Internship Dates: The program typically runs for six weeks between June and July
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors who are at least 16 years old
The Summer Law Internship Program offered by the Atlanta Bar Association gives high school students firsthand experience in the legal profession. Established in 1993, this program combines practical work assignments with educational enrichment, featuring weekly meetings with guest speakers and assessments. You will participate in the Terrence Croft Essay Competition, writing about a U.S. Supreme Court decision to enhance your legal knowledge and skills. The program aims to provide valuable work experience, promote mentorship, and increase diversity in the legal field.
Cost: There is no cost. Students will receive a stipend; the exact amount is not specified
Location: Atlanta, GA
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025 program will be available in March 2025
Internship Dates: The program runs in June and July
Eligibility: Atlanta-area high school juniors and seniors
Emory University's Department of Human Genetics offers the NextGen High School Internship Program, targeting students from underrepresented groups in STEM. This paid summer internship provides hands-on experience in laboratory and clinical settings, supported by mentorship to ensure effective learning. You will attend lectures and participate in diverse activities throughout the year, fostering a deeper understanding of STEM disciplines. The program aims to bridge gaps in STEM education and encourage students from various backgrounds to explore opportunities in the field.
Cost: There is no cost. Students will receive $2,500 as a stipend
Location: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025
Internship Dates: June 2 – July 9, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who will be 16 years old by June 2, 2025
The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia Internship Program offers students internships in various departments, such as legal, policy, communications, and community engagement. You will participate in activities ranging from legal research to volunteer coordination. This hands-on experience allows you to contribute to civil liberties initiatives while gaining practical skills. Opportunities exist for legal interns, policy analysts, and students offering development support, ensuring a comprehensive introduction to civil rights work in Georgia.
Cost: There is no cost. Students will be paid $15/hour as a stipend
Location: American Civil Liberties Union, Atlanta, GA
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March-April
Internship Dates: The program runs between June and August
Eligibility: High school students
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, 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 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.