15 Internships for High School Students in Brooklyn
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 23
- 9 min read
If you are a high school student in Brooklyn and want to try out a field you are interested in, an internship is a great way to start. These internships let you see how work happens in real life and meet people who work in that specific area. Many local places offer internships for high school students, and some even pay you for your time.
Whether you want to explore fields like art, science, technology, or social services, there are internships that can introduce you to these areas and help you figure out what interests you the most. Spending several weeks or months in an internship means you will get to do more than just observe.
This kind of experience gives you a clearer idea of what careers in those fields look like. It also shows admissions officers that you’re committed to learning beyond the classroom.
To help you get started, here are 15 internships for high school students in Brooklyn!
15 Internships for High School Students in Brooklyn
Ladder Internships is an online program where you can work with startups in fields like tech, machine learning, AI, finance, sustainability, healthcare, and media. Many of these startups have raised funding and are led by founders from places like Y Combinator, Google, Microsoft, or Facebook.
You’ll spend 8 weeks working on a project while receiving support from both a startup manager and a Ladder Coach. This coaching-plus-work model gives you regular feedback and helps you build real-world experience in a startup setting. You’ll also present your work at the end of the program.
Cost: $2,490 (Financial Aid Available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. May 11, for the spring session
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
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 Brooklyn Museum Apprentice Program is a paid, in-person internship for high school students interested in museum education, art history, and public programs. You’ll work with curators and educators to explore the museum’s collections and build skills in teaching, public speaking, and lesson planning.
You’ll help run family workshops and lead summer camp tours, while also joining discussions about how museums engage with education and social issues. The program includes field trips, artist visits, and opportunities to design and lead your tours. If you return for another year, you can take on leadership roles and earn higher pay.
Stipend: $16 per hour
Location: Brooklyn Museum, Crown Heights
Dates: November–June (Thursdays and occasional weekends), July–August (Wednesdays–Fridays)
Application Deadline: June
Eligibility: NYC high school students ages 14–19
The ARISE program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering is a tuition-free, 10-week summer research program for NYC high school students focused on STEM. The first four weeks cover foundational training in lab safety, research methods, and college readiness. The next six weeks involve hands-on work in NYU research labs, guided by faculty and graduate mentors.
Research topics include genetics, machine learning, engineering, and environmental science. Participants present their work at a university colloquium and the American Museum of Natural History. The program is open to rising juniors and seniors and offers a $1,000 stipend.
Stipend: $1,000
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Downtown Brooklyn
Dates: June 2–August 18
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who attend NYC public or charter schools and are full-time NYC residents
The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) is a paid 10-week summer internship for high school students at CUNY’s New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn. The program offers hands-on research experience in experimental physics, focusing on how light interacts with two-dimensional semiconductors.
You’ll learn practical lab skills like preparing and optically characterizing advanced materials while working with university researchers. The program also provides mentorship and introduces the U.S. Army’s priorities in science and engineering, giving exposure to STEM careers.
Stipend: Paid
Location: CUNY City Tech, Downtown Brooklyn
Dates: 10-week summer program (specific dates vary by site)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; specific age/grade and coursework requirements may apply depending on the site
The Creative Practice internship at the Brooklyn Museum is a paid, in-person program for high school students interested in art education and museum careers. You’ll assist teaching artists during community art classes and work on creative projects related to current exhibitions.
You’ll explore how art connects with fashion, design, and social justice, and work with other teens to produce original artwork. The program also focuses on classroom preparation, lesson planning, and building communication and organizational skills. You’ll support weekend art classes and take part in events and field trips throughout the program.
Stipend: $16 per hour
Location: Brooklyn Museum, Crown Heights
Dates: September–May (select Thursdays, occasional Fridays, and weekend sessions)
Application Deadline: Not specified. Typically in June
Eligibility: NYC high school students ages 15–19 entering grades 10–12
The Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) at Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers a nine-month, in-person opportunity for high school students to learn about urban agriculture and environmental education. You’ll work in the Children’s Garden, gaining hands-on experience with gardening, harvesting produce, and leading lessons for younger kids.
The program is divided into four tiers. In Tier 1, you’ll start with basic gardening and cooking. As you move to higher tiers, you’ll take on more responsibility by leading stations and mentoring new apprentices. You’ll receive a reimbursement at the end of the year. If you reach Tier 4 and return, you’ll be paid hourly as part-time staff.
Stipend: Tiers 1–3: $600–$800, Tier 4: $16.50/hour
Location: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Crown Heights
Dates: March–November (with orientation in February; average 4–6 hours/week during spring/fall, and 20–25 hours/week in summer)\
Application Deadline: December 8 (for the following year’s program)
Eligibility: Tier 1: Current 9th grade students; Tier 2: 10th graders or Tier 1 graduates; Tier 3: 11th graders or Tier 2 graduates; Tier 4: Only open to returning Tier 3 apprentices
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Internship Programs offer paid, 8-week placements for college-bound high school seniors and college students. You’ll be matched with companies inside the Navy Yard based on your interests and skills, and work in fields like urban manufacturing, fashion, media, green tech, or construction.
You’ll gain hands-on experience and mentorship from industry professionals. The program runs in spring, summer, and fall cycles. There’s also a Green Careers Accelerator Program with additional placements focused on sustainability and clean energy.
Stipend: Paid
Location: Brooklyn Navy Yard, Clinton Hill
Dates: 8-week sessions offered in spring, summer, and fall
Application Deadline: Rolling; interest form required for updates
Eligibility: College students and college-bound high school seniors
You can join a competitive, paid internship with the Brooklyn DA’s Office during winter or spring break. You’ll be placed in trial zones or specialized units like Homicide, Domestic Violence, Special Victims, or Civil Rights.
Your tasks may include helping prepare legal documents, attending court, assisting with community outreach, or doing basic legal research. The program gives you a closer look at legal careers while helping you build communication and analytical skills.
Stipend: $150/week
Location: Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Downtown Brooklyn
Dates: Winter: February 18–21 | Spring: April 18
Application Deadline: January 17
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors currently attending school in Brooklyn
This internship trains you to create book recommendations and advisory services for other teen readers at the Brooklyn Public Library. You will attend weekly sessions led by librarians, authors, and publishers where you’ll learn about book curation, collection development, and how the publishing industry works.
You’ll also represent the library at public events by offering live book-matching help. Interns help choose new titles for the library and build skills in writing, public speaking, and planning events. You’ll earn a stipend or volunteer credit for your time.
Stipend: Paid
Location: Brooklyn Public Library – Central Library, Grand Army Plaza
Dates: November–early June (weekly sessions in Nov–Dec, then 2–3x/month)
Application Deadline: Closed for current cycle; check for future dates
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
SYEP gives you a paid summer opportunity to gain work experience in New York City. If you’re 14 or 15, you’ll join project-based learning focused on exploring careers and making a community impact.
If you’re 16 to 24, you’ll be placed in real job settings across fields like tech, healthcare, retail, and public service. You’ll work with local businesses, nonprofits, or government offices while receiving training in financial literacy, workplace skills, and civic engagement.
Stipend: Paid
Location: Worksites vary throughout Brooklyn
Dates: July 8–August 16
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: NYC residents ages 14–24 who are legally allowed to work in the U.S.
Genspace’s Biorocket internship is a six-month paid research program for NYC public and charter high school students aged 16 or older. You’ll gain hands-on lab experience in biology and genetic engineering, co-design a summer research project, and train in science communication using improv-based methods.
You’ll also join lab tours, attend field trips, and connect with other teen researchers in New York. No GPA requirement. The program encourages applications from students historically underrepresented in STEM.
Stipend: $2,000
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Dates: February 21–August 15 (Spring: Wednesdays–Thursdays; Summer: Monday–Thursday, 10:00 am–3:30 pm)
Application Deadline: Applications open in the fall
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students, age 16+ by February 21; must live or attend school within ~45 minutes of Genspace (exceptions considered)
This school-year fellowship lets you work with other teens to plan and host a youth-led film festival at BRIC House. You’ll choose the festival’s theme, review and curate film submissions, design promotional materials, and run the final event.
During weekly sessions, you’ll build skills in video production, media literacy, and event planning. Guest speakers from the film and media industries also join the program. The fellowship is in-person and includes a stipend based on attendance and participation.
Stipend: $15/hour
Location: 75 Rockwell Place, Brooklyn, NY
Dates: October 25–May 29 (Wednesdays, 4:00–6:00 PM)
Application Deadline: Closed for current cycle; check in summer for fall start
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 10–12 or ages 15–19
The Brooklyn Interns for Arts and Culture (BIAC) program, hosted by the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), offers high school seniors a chance to explore arts careers through hands-on experience. The internship runs in three sessions: summer, fall, and spring.
You’ll work on event planning, arts administration, and creative projects. The program also includes workshops on wellness and post-high school transition. You’ll meet professionals in media, design, and performing arts to support your career and college planning.
Cost: None
Location: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Fort Greene
Dates: August (one week), October–December, and February–June (1–2 days/week, 4:00–6:00 PM)
Application Deadline: June 3
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in NYC with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and an interest in the arts
The NASA GISS Climate Research Internship is a competitive, full-time summer program for high school students aged 16 and older interested in climate science. You work in teams led by NASA scientists on projects related to climate modeling, urban heat, estuary systems, and lake monitoring.
You gain lab experience, data analysis skills, and training in science communication. The internship includes creating a symposium presentation, a research poster, and a scientific paper. Each student is paired with a mentor and works closely with NASA researchers.
Stipend: Not specified (some roles may be unpaid; confirm during application)
Location: CUNY City College of Technology, Downtown Brooklyn (also includes GISS and LDEO sites in the NYC area)
Dates: 6-week summer session
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ (NYC-area students strongly encouraged); application includes resume, transcript, and CCRI project selection form
The Pathfinders Internship Program, part of NYC’s CS4All initiative, is a paid, part-time internship for high school students interested in computer science. The program lasts 70 hours during the spring, including 60 hours of workplace learning at partner sites and 10 hours of career-readiness training.
You will gain exposure to real-world CS environments and build professional skills. The program is competitive, with selection through applications and interviews. It is designed for students without prior CTE or FutureReadyNYC experience. A stipend is provided by the NYC Department of Education.
Stipend: Paid
Location: Varies by host site (Brooklyn placements available)
Dates: March–June (70 total hours, part-time; includes some evenings or weekends)
Application Deadline: December 27
Eligibility: NYC public high school students authorized to work in the U.S., with interest in computer science; must not be previous Pathfinders participants
One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in doing university-level research in STEM or other subjects, which can become a topic to talk about in your college application, then you could 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.
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.
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