In today’s competitive admissions landscape, internships can be a useful way for students to enhance their educational experience and bolster their college applications. Participating in internships allows you to gain hands-on experience in your field of interest, developing essential skills that cannot be acquired in a classroom setting. Whether it's honing technical skills in a lab or improving communication abilities in an office environment, internships provide valuable opportunities to learn from industry professionals and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges.

Moreover, early professional exposure through internships can improve your college application. Admissions committees look for candidates who demonstrate initiative, commitment, and a proactive approach to their education. Additionally, internships can help you build a network of professional contacts and mentors, which can be helpful for future recommendations and career guidance.

For high school students in Nevada, there are a variety of internships available that can provide the experience and skills needed to stand out in the college admissions process. 

Here are 6 great internship opportunities for high school students in Nevada:

1. Veritas AI Internship

Cost: $2,490

Application Deadline: December 15, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort

Internship Date: The start date for the winter cohort is January 5, 2025

Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program

Location: Virtual 

The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, students have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more. This program is a great opportunity for students who have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. Students get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.

2. Ladder Internship Program

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. The winter cohort starts on December 16, 2024

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. 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. Here is the application form. 

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.

3. James Lathrop and Wayne Capurro Memorial Internship

Salary: Starting at $16.85/hour (bi-weekly payments)

Location: Nevada (Western, Eastern, or Southern administrative regions)

Program Dates: Summer 2025 (exact dates provided upon selection)

Application Deadline: February 7, 2025

Eligibility: High school seniors graduating in 2024-2025 or undergraduate students pursuing relevant degrees who will be 16 years or older by June 1, 2025

The James Lathrop and Wayne Capurro Memorial Internship offers Nevada high school seniors and college undergraduates an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in wildlife management. You will work as paid seasonal employees under the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), receiving comprehensive training in conservation and fieldwork designed to enhance your studies. Responsibilities include participating in wildlife surveys, assisting with radio telemetry tracking, and constructing wildlife-related structures like water tanks. 

Interns are assigned to one of NDOW’s three administrative regions: Western (Reno), Eastern (Elko), or Southern (Las Vegas). You will carry out physically demanding tasks such as hiking and camping in remote areas, often requiring the ability to operate 4WD manual vehicles, change flat tires, and install tire chains. The role may involve relocation and living alone in rural duty stations or camp trailers for the summer. Training covers the use of all-terrain vehicles, radios, specialized tools, and computer programs relevant to wildlife management. 

4. YouthWorks Internship Program

Compensation: $12.00/hour

Location: Discovery Children’s Museum, Las Vegas, NV

Program Dates: Year-round (based on applicant availability and museum needs)

Eligibility: High school students aged 15-17 currently enrolled and active volunteers at the museum

Application Deadline: Rolling (check with the museum for specific dates)

YouthWorks is an internship program for high school students aged 15-17, offering a unique blend of educational growth and professional work experience. Established in 1993, the program is designed to provide career guidance, work readiness, and life skills training within an interdisciplinary museum setting. You will begin by volunteering across the Museum’s eight main galleries, gaining familiarity with Museum policies, procedures, and the mission of the organization. The program accommodates youth with disabilities by providing alternative roles suited to their abilities while ensuring continued interaction and collaboration with staff and other interns.

The internship is competitive, selecting candidates who demonstrate a strong desire for personal and professional development. Interns work closely with staff members and have the opportunity to explore various departments, gaining a broad perspective of the Museum’s operations. This program offers a valuable chance to build a community service record, enhance your college portfolio, and develop essential life skills in a professional environment.

5. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Cost: Stipend provided

Location: Various locations across the U.S., including Carson City, Clark, and Washoe, NV, and a 1-week summit in Washington, D.C.

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025 

Program Dates: 8 weeks during the summer of 2025 

Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors who are legally authorized to work in the U.S.

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program offers high school juniors and seniors the chance to gain real-world experience by working with local nonprofit or charitable organizations. This internship is designed to develop leadership skills and encourage you to contribute to your community. The program concludes with a fully-funded, week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. The selection process is competitive and requires a detailed application, including a recommendation from a teacher or school administrator. You will work with nonprofit organizations that collaborate with the bank, gaining a meaningful opportunity to engage in community projects. To learn more about this internship, check out our complete guide here. 

6. National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) by the Department of Education

Application Deadline: No information available

Eligibility: High school students 

Program Dates: Two to four-week program held in the summer. Since this is a federally-funded program, dates differ for various host universities. You can write to mp@unlv.edu for more information on the program in Nevada

Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV

Fee: Free

This educational program is offered by the Department of Education. Although not a traditional internship, NSTI offers a valuable introduction to STEM and transportation. Through classroom instruction and activities, you will explore different facets of transportation, such as engineering, logistics, planning, and policy. You will learn about transportation systems, technology, and sustainability within transportation. The program also offers opportunities for site visits, guest speakers, and team projects that will help you apply your knowledge to real-world challenges.

One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, 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.