9 Internships for High School Students in Minnesota
Minnesota offers many opportunities for high school students eager to gain real-world experience before graduation. Whether you’re interested in STEM, business, environmental conservation, or the arts, internships provide a hands-on approach to learning that goes beyond the classroom. These programs not only help you build valuable skills but also offer a glimpse into potential career paths, making them an excellent way to prepare for college and the workforce.
From the labs of research institutions to the offices of companies, these experiences help you connect with professionals in your fields of interest and make meaningful contributions to real projects. If you’re looking to explore a new interest or deepen your knowledge in a specific area, these Minnesota-based internships are a great place to start.
In this blog, we’ll explore 9 internships available to high school students across Minnesota.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (Financial Aid Available)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Internship 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. 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. 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.
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.
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Cost: Free, with participants receiving a stipend
Application Deadline: Applications for the summer program typically open in the spring, council opportunities open in August
Program Dates: The summer intensive session typically runs for two months
Eligibility: High school students, particularly those from the QT BIPOC community
The Environmental Stewardship Institute (ESI), created by Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) in 2019, offers high school students the chance to explore careers in the environmental field. ESI addresses the gap between environmental education and career pathways by providing an interdisciplinary program focused on local river issues and professional development.
ESI has two major components: a two-month summer intensive session and a school-year Youth Council. During the summer, ESI fellows gain experience by working on youth-led projects, visiting ecologically significant sites, and engaging with environmental experts. You also develop essential job skills, such as resume writing, networking, and conducting informational interviews. Each fellow undertakes a capstone project, allowing them to delve deeper into an environmental issue in their community.
Location: Various Minnesota Department Of Transporation offices and districts statewide, MN
Cost: Interns are paid, starting at $18.72/hour
Application Deadline: Applications are typically open between February and May
Program Dates: The summer program is typically between June and August
Eligibility:
Students must be enrolled at a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) high school or participate in Step Up, Right Track, or EMERGE Youth Employment programs
Students attending schools with advanced STEM curricula in areas without PLTW schools are also eligible
Students must have completed their junior year and be entering their senior year of high school
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required
Students must have taken or be currently enrolled in PLTW classes or advanced STEM-related courses if PLTW is not available
The Phoenix Student Worker Program is a collaborative initiative between MnDOT and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) that provides high school students with hands-on work experience in STEM fields. Participants in the program have the opportunity to work at various MnDOT offices and districts across the state. The program offers two tracks: a Year-Round track, where students work full-time during the summer and part-time during the school year, and a Summer Only track, which requires full-time work from June through August. To apply, you have to fill out the application form and submit a resume and your high school transcript.
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free. Transportation scholarships are available for students demonstrating financial need
Application Deadline: Applications will open in November and close in December
Program Dates: The program runs for two years, from January to December of the student’s senior year, with monthly Saturday sessions and additional summer enrichment opportunities.
Eligibility:
Open to current 10th- or 11th-grade students
Applicants should have an interest and aptitude in STEM fields and plan to attend a four-year post-secondary institution
The program is especially focused on students from historically underrepresented identities in STEM, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, first-generation college students, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds
The Rooted in STEM program at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities offers high school students the chance to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through mentorship and community support. This program allows you to connect with undergraduate mentors and peers who share similar interests while gaining insights into the student experience at the University of Minnesota.
You meet one Saturday per month to network with peers, learn about current research topics, and explore potential STEM careers. The program offers presentations, lab tours, and Q&A sessions with faculty, graduate researchers, and industry professionals. Additionally, students who complete the program through their 12th-grade year and are admitted to the College of Science and Engineering will be awarded a $40,000 scholarship ($10,000 per year for four years).
Location: Various locations in Minnesota and across the United States
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: For program participation, there may not be an application deadline, as it depends on the individual Teen Tech Center's enrollment process
Program Dates: Ongoing, with year-round programming available
Eligibility: Open to underserved teens
Best Buy Teen Tech Centers are spaces where teens can explore and develop critical skills in areas such as programming, filmmaking, music production, and design through hands-on activities. These centers aim to bridge the digital divide by providing underserved youth with access to technology education, fostering relationships that build confidence, and laying a strong foundation for academic and career success.
There are multiple Teen Tech Centers in Minnesota. You can see the full list of locations here. Each Teen Tech Center is part of a larger network connected by The Clubhouse Network, linking members to a global community across 20 countries.
Location: Hennepin County, MN
Cost: No cost; intern wages start at $21.50/hour
Application Deadline: TBA. You can sign up to be notified here.
Program Dates: Varies based on internship type
Eligibility: Current or graduated within 6 months high school students
Hennepin County offers paid internships year-round across more than 50 departments. In addition to hands-on work, interns have access to career exploration workshops, networking opportunities, and mentoring programs. With a vast network of past and current interns, this opportunity can provide a valuable resource as you progress in your career. Offering free online training in various skill areas, Hennepin County internships are a valuable way to begin your professional journey.
Location: Varies depending on the internship
Cost: Interns are paid
Application Deadline: Applications open in December
Program Dates: June 24 – August 16 (8 weeks)
Eligibility: Students aged 14-21 who are eligible to work in the U.S. and whose home address is in Minneapolis. You must also meet one of the eligibility criteria listed here
The Step Up program aims to train Minneapolis youth in career skills and connect them with paid internships in the Twin Cities. Before beginning the summer internship, you will participate in Step Up’s online Work Readiness Training. These sessions will help you prepare your resume, practice for interviews, and explore your strengths and weaknesses.
You will then be matched with an employer such as Xcel Energy, Minneapolis Regional Chamber, and the University of Minnesota. Through the internship program, you will meet professionals in fields like business, the arts, and healthcare, allowing you to learn about careers that might interest you.
Bonus
This Minnesota program is available to high school students who are 18 or older.
Location: Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, MN
Cost: Free, with participants earning $18.49/hour
Application Deadline: Applications open from February until mid-April
Program Dates: The fellowship runs for 10 weeks, typically during the summer
Eligibility: Open to underrepresented young adults ages 18-25
The Mississippi River Fellowship is a 10-week paid program offering an in-depth exploration of various branches of the National Park Service. You will work with National Park Service Rangers, Mississippi Park Connection staff, and other partners to facilitate educational programs, lead habitat restoration events, and monitor wildlife along the Mississippi River.
You will receive valuable training in professional development, fieldwork, non-motorized boat handling, and a CPR/First Aid certification. Local fellows may have the opportunity to extend their fellowship part-time during the school year to complete a Public Lands Corps (PLC) certificate, providing a pathway to apply for permanent federal positions within the National Park Service and other federal agencies. The fellowship requires a commitment of approximately 32 hours per week, with some work potentially occurring during evenings or weekends.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free, with a stipend and bus transportation provided
Application Deadline: TBA, typically in the spring
Program Dates: June 24 – August 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and will be at least 16 years old by the program start date
The BME High School Internship Program at the University of Minnesota offers rising seniors an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in biomedical engineering. This paid, six-week summer program immerses students in cutting-edge research within the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME). You will gain research experience under the mentorship of graduate students and have the chance to network with university faculty.
In addition to conducting research, you will explore careers in biological and engineering fields and develop valuable skills in scientific writing and communication. The program culminates in a poster session where you showcase your work to family and friends. Faculty members provide letters of recommendation, which can be an asset when applying for college and future academic opportunities.
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 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.