10 Summer Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student looking to expand your resume or enhance your college applications, consider participating in a summer internship. These internships provide hands-on exposure to fields that interest you, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge to practical scenarios.
However, securing one of these internships is not easy. They are highly sought after since they allow you to explore potential career paths, build a professional network, and gain insights into workplace expectations. This early exposure to the professional world equips you with the skills and confidence needed for future academic success.
In this blog, we'll explore 10 great summer internships for high schoolers!
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. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location: Seattle, Washington
Stipend: Some internships provide stipends.
Program dates: 8-10 weeks (June - August)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school students
Participating in a Spark Summer Internship is a great idea if you’re looking to explore technology. This program offers a blend of theoretical learning and practical application. You will work on tech projects with professionals. The Spark Summer Internships cater to a spectrum of technological interests, from software development and data analytics to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Their commitment to mentorship and professional development sets the Spark Summer Internships apart. The program’s structured approach ensures that you contribute meaningfully to projects and attend skill-building workshops, networking events, and career advice sessions.
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Non-paid
Program dates: End of June to mid-August
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: Must be currently a high school junior or senior (i.e. 11th or 12th grade at the time of application)
Through this internship, you'll work on collaborative research projects, gaining experience beyond traditional classroom learning. You will spend most of the time conducting research from where you reside (if you are working on hardware projects, the program will send you materials) and regularly communicate with your mentor(s) and group members. Stanford's faculty and industry experts act as guides. The program's emphasis on interdisciplinary research makes this internship unique. The networking opportunities within Stanford's community make this internship a valuable experience.
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute
Stipend: Unpaid
Program dates: 10 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: April 30th
Eligibility: Highly motivated students in high school
Enrolling in the Scripps Student Research Internship, part of the Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI), is a unique opportunity. SRTI is at the forefront of translational research. The Institute focuses on personalized healthcare through genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic correlates of health and disease. As an intern in the program, you'll work with a diverse, multidisciplinary team of scientists. The primary goal of the internship program is to provide you with the training and preparation needed to become a future leader in translational medical research. This experience will allow you to contribute to research while expanding your skill set in health sciences, statistics, and computational/computer science.
Location: Various cities
Cost: $2000
Program dates: Six weeks
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: High school students
The ABA's Judicial Intern Opportunity Program is an exceptional opportunity for high school students to intern with federal or state judges across the United States. This program aims to promote diversity in the legal profession. You will gain experience in a court environment, observe trials, and engage in legal research. As an intern, you'll work with judges and their chambers, experiencing the judicial system from the inside. You'll engage in legal research and writing and observe court proceedings. This program offers an opportunity to network with legal professionals and gain real-world experience.
Location: Washington DC
Stipend: Hourly stipend
Program dates: 8 weeks (June - August)
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors
Every year, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program admits hundreds of 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 attend the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C, to understand how nonprofits, governments, and businesses collaborate to meet local needs. This experience enables you to create change within your community. For a deep dive into this program and its benefits, check out this article!
Location: Los Angeles
Stipend: $3000
Program dates: Nine weeks June - August
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school students
The Research in Industrial Programs (RIP) is ideal suited for students interested in engineering, materials science, or related technical disciplines. You'll work alongside professionals and researchers on research projects, applying your academic knowledge to industry challenges. This experience will deepen your technical skills and expose you to industrial research. If you are drawn to the intersection of research, innovation, and industry, RIP offers a significant stepping stone to a rewarding career.
Application deadline: December 15
Eligibility: High school seniors in the U.S. who are currently enrolled in or who have completed a high school or college dual degree course where computer science, engineering, or robotics is the subject; have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent); demonstrate financial need
Program dates: ~8-weeks during the summer after your freshman year of college
Location: At Amazon headquarters
Stipend: Scholarship up to $10,000 per year
Participating in the Amazon Future Engineer Program is an enriching experience for high school students interested in technology. The internship exposes you to the day-to-day challenges at Amazon. You will work on real projects, collaborating with professionals and gaining insights into the technology field. For high school students aspiring to work in the technology sector, Amazon Future Engineer can serve as a launching pad. The program combines technical instruction, mentorship opportunities, and a supportive community. By participating, you will gain a solid foundation in computer science and network with industry professionals.
Location: NASA centers across the country
Stipend: 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, have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), be a full-time student, and be a minimum of 16 years of age at the time of application
The NASA OSTEM (Office of STEM Engagement) High School Internship Program is a great opportunity if you are interested in technology and space exploration. These internship programs allow you to engage with state-of-the-art technologies used in space exploration, satellite communication, and aerospace engineering. You will build valuable connections while gaining experience in NASA labs, contributing to ongoing projects, and collaborating with experts. The program fosters a sense of community among like-minded peers.
10. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT
Stipend: Unpaid
Program dates: July - August
Application Deadline: December 13
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors. It is recommended that PSAT Math Scores be at least 740 or higher and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score be 700 or higher. ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34.
RSI is an unparalleled opportunity if you want to conduct independent research. This prestigious program, hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education, allows you to collaborate with peers from around the globe. RSI offers access to state-of-the-art laboratories, cutting-edge equipment, and mentorship opportunities with scientists. You can work on projects in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and nanotechnology. For a deep dive into RSI and tips to get in, 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: MIT