10 Internships in Los Angeles for High School Students
- Jessica Zhou
- Dec 2, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 12
If you are a high school student from Los Angeles looking to strengthen your college applications, internships are a good way to spend your school breaks. Participating in internships allows you to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. We know that finding internships in Los Angeles for high school students can be challenging. That’s why we've compiled a list of the best internships in Los Angeles for high school students. These internships strengthen college applications and give you the skills needed for future academic success.
In this blog, we'll explore 10 internships for high schoolers in Los Angeles.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location:Â Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline:Â Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).Â
Program Dates:Â 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.
Location: Various sites in Los Angeles, depending on the internship
Cost: Paid stipend
Application Deadline: March
Program dates: June - beginning of August
Eligibility: South LA 10th-12th grade youth, High School DACA/Undocumented Youth, High School Foster Youth & system involved youth. Applicants must be available to attend at least 80% of the program workshops, which are after-school Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 pm.
This internship in Los Angeles for high school students is designed to provide work experience in a supportive environment. Through internships with local businesses and organizations, you will gain exposure to the professional world, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge to projects. This experience enhances your understanding of specific industries and cultivates essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. This internship facilitates one-on-one guidance from industry professionals. Additionally, the program incorporates workshops on resume building, interview preparation, and workplace etiquette.
Location: UCLA
Cost: Unpaid
Program dates: Dates are TBD and to be agreed upon with the supervisors at BrainSPORT, but typically early June to late August.
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: Rising juniors, with the intent to be a mentor for a rising junior next year
The UCLA BrainSport Summer High School Research Internship is a valuable experience for students interested in neuroscience, research, and the workings of the brain. This program allows you to explore research alongside scientists and clinicians in the field of brain health and sports-related concussions. You will contribute to ongoing studies that have real-world implications for sports medicine and brain injury prevention. Tasks may involve literature reviews, data collection, and analysis. You will work with state-of-the-art equipment and technologies and attend seminars, lectures, and discussions led by experts in the field. To learn more about this internship, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, LA
Cost: Paid, amount unspecified
Program dates: Year-long
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
This program, offered by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), presents a unique opportunity to explore contemporary art while gaining practical skills in museum management. You may assist with exhibition installations, organize public programs, and conduct research on featured artists and their works. You will work with museum staff, learning about museum operations, marketing, and educational outreach. Additionally, you will have the chance to attend workshops, lectures, and gallery talks. By contributing to the museum's initiatives, you refine your communication and teamwork skills and develop a strong foundation for a future career in art curation, museum education, or related fields.
Location: Warner Bros. Discovery Studios in Burbank, California
Cost: $5,000
Program dates: During college (dates vary)
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Be a graduating high school senior in Burbank or Los Angeles County, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 upon graduation, and plan to attend an accredited college or university
This program offers an introduction to the creative and business sides of the entertainment industry. You will work with industry professionals in departments such as production, marketing, or post-production, gaining insights into the day-to-day operations of a major film and television studio. Depending on your interests, you will assist in creative development, participate in marketing campaigns, or contribute to multimedia content production. You will gain valuable industry experience and cultivate a network of connections who can guide you toward potential future careers in the entertainment industry. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Los Angeles
Cost: $3,000
Program dates: Nine weeks June - August
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school students
This internship is for those interested in fields such as engineering, materials science, or related technical disciplines. As a participant in RIP, you will work on research projects with industry partners, contributing to industrial innovation. You’ll work alongside professionals and researchers, applying your academic knowledge to industry-focused applications. This experience will develop your technical skills. If you are interested in the intersection of research, innovation, and industry, RIP offers a significant stepping stone to a career at the nexus of academia and the corporate world.
Location: Various medical centers in Los Angeles
Cost: Unpaid
Program dates: 4 weeks (July - August)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th graders
The Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program is one of the top internships in Los Angeles for high school students aspiring to pursue careers in medicine and healthcare. This program, typically hosted by a medical institution or university, aims to provide experience in the medical field. The program exposes you to various aspects of healthcare, from clinical settings to research opportunities, allowing you to explore the diverse pathways within the medical profession. You will have the opportunity to shadow healthcare professionals, engage in medical research projects, and even participate in simulated clinical experiences. The program connects you with healthcare professionals who can offer guidance and insights into the medical profession.
Location: NASA centers across the country
Cost: Awarded based on academic level and session duration
Program dates: Spring session (Mid January - Early May), Summer session (Late May - August), Fall session (Late August - Mid December)
Application Deadline: May 26 (Fall), August 30 (Spring), October 20 (Summer)
Eligibility: Be a U.S. citizen, a full-time student, and at least 16 years of age at the time of application; have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
These NASA internships allow you to engage with state-of-the-art technologies used in space exploration, satellite communication, and aerospace engineering. Whether you're fascinated by robotics, software development, or the mechanisms behind spacecraft, the NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs allow you to apply your theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges. You will build valuable connections while gaining experience in NASA labs, contributing to ongoing projects, and collaborating with experts. To learn more about high school internship opportunities at NASA, check out our full guide here.
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute
Cost:Â Unpaid
Program dates:Â 10 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: April 30th
Eligibility:Â Highly motivated students in high school.
The Scripps Research Translational Institute is at the forefront of translational research, focusing on personalized healthcare through genomic, proteomic, and metabolic correlates of health and disease. As a participant in this internship, you'll work with a multidisciplinary team of scientists in genomics, bioinformatics, digital medicine, and community engagement. The primary goal of the internship program is to provide you with the training needed to become a future leader in translational medical research. This experience will allow you to contribute to impactful research while expanding your skill set in health sciences, statistics, and computational/computer science. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
10. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Hourly stipend
Program dates:Â 8 weeks (June - August)
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility:Â Current high school juniors and seniors
Every year, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program admits 300 community-minded high schoolers into the program. You will intern with nonprofits like Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. You will also participate in the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C, to understand how nonprofits, governments, and businesses collaborate to meet local needs. This experience aims to help you create change within your community. For a deep dive into this internship and its benefits, check out this article!
One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you would like to dive into research, another way to stand out on applications and resumes, you should also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program 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.
Jessica attends Harvard University where she studies Neuroscience and Computer Science as a Coca-Cola, Elks, and Albert Shankar Scholar. She is passionate about educational equity and hopes to one day combine this with her academic interests via social entrepreneurship. Outside of academics, she enjoys taking walks, listening to music, and running her jewelry business!
Image Source: Bank of America Student Leaders logo