15 Internships for High School Students in Minneapolis, MN
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 25
- 11 min read
Updated: Oct 14
If you are a high school student in Minneapolis, looking for a way to explore your interests, discover potential careers, and build new skills? Then, an internship can be a great next step.
Internships designed for high school students typically focus on offering practical learning experiences and skills-building opportunities, preparing you for future education and job opportunities. Internships also offer a chance to network with professionals in the field as well as peers, helping you build meaningful connections early on.
As an intern, you will shadow professionals, undergo skills training, and get a glimpse into a field of interest. The experience can help you make informed decisions regarding your future academic and professional path.
Here is a list of 15 internships for high school students in Minneapolis, MN. Whether you are looking for an opportunity in STEM, performing arts, radio broadcasting, or social work, you will find an option here that aligns with your interests. If you are looking for more prestigious internships, you can check out this set of blogs!
15 Internships for High School Students in Minneapolis, MN
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Cost/Stipend: Varies; financial assistance available
Dates: Vary by cohort; multiple cohorts in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall: September | Spring: January | Summer: May | Winter: November
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit to 10–20 hours/week for 8 to 12 weeks.
Ladder Internships is a virtual program for high school students looking for opportunities to work with high-growth start-ups. The start-ups here are typically high-growth companies, which, on average, raise over a million dollars. During the internship, you will work closely with a manager and a Ladder Coach on a real-world project and present your work to the host company. Opportunities are available across disciplines, including AI & ML, health tech, media & journalism, finance, non-profit, and more. You can learn about the program formats and application here.
Location: CLA Minneapolis, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Dates: Vary as per host organization; typically four weeks in June–July
Application deadline: Varies by opportunity
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 and authorized to work in the U.S.
Clifton Larson Allen (CLA) is an accounting firm that offers four-week paid internships to high school students interested in exploring business and accounting. Here, you will learn about the accounting industry and professional services while working with CLA staff members on real projects, which involve offering services to clients in various industries. You will work on an interactive case study, shadow professionals across various levels as they serve clients, and participate in team projects. You will also find opportunities to develop personal and professional skills.
Location: Multiple locations in Minneapolis, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 1,000+ students placed each year
Stipend: Paid; details not disclosed
Dates: June 23 – August 22
Application deadline: Typically in December
Eligibility: Youth, ages 14 – 21, who are residents of Minneapolis and not yet enrolled in a post-secondary school; applicants must meet one additional eligibility requirement as indicated here
A collaborative venture between the City of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and the Project for Pride in Living, the STEP UP program offers paid internships in the Twin Cities. Opportunities span diverse industries, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, small businesses, and nonprofits. As a program participant, you will develop key career skills, gain work experience, and connect with industry professionals. You will first attend pre-internship training sessions to build work-readiness, including creating a robust profile for your resume and preparing for interviews. You will then be matched with employer opportunities, with Step Up job coaches providing support throughout the internship. In the past, STEP-UP interns have worked at Minneapolis Public Schools, the University of Minnesota, Allina Health, Kraus Anderson, and more.
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: $13.75/hour
Dates: February 1 – March 25 (winter cohort); four cohorts each year, three in the school year + one in summer
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students who are 16–19 years old and either currently enrolled in school or wish to get re-enrolled in a diploma or GED program
MIGIZI's Indigenous Pathways Programs offer high schoolers options to choose from two paid training programs, the First Person Productions (FPP) pathway and the Green Tech Jobs Pathway (GJP). FPP is a media internship that can help you explore a career in innovative media fields, such as podcasts, video projects, radio broadcasts, and more. Here, you will learn how to work with professional equipment and exercise creative and editing skills while taking photographs, making an audio clip/short film, or conducting an interview. GJP offers exposure to STEM from an Indigenous perspective with some experience in the field of green energy. Here, you will learn about alternative sources of energy, ways to reduce the impact of construction work on the environment, and other sustainable solutions. In either track, you will attend in-person workshop activities along with online training sessions.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend and bus transportation provided
Dates: June 24 – August 1 (tentative)
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school rising seniors who are at least 16 and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The University of Minnesota's Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) offers paid research-focused internships to rising seniors interested in exploring careers in the biological and engineering fields. In the six-week internship, you will tour BME labs to get exposure to translational and other types of research and get first-hand experience of campus life. You will develop key research skills, including lab work, scientific paper writing, and professional communication, under the guidance of biomedical engineering graduate students. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to interact with the faculty of the BME department. The internship wraps up with a poster session, where you share your experience with peers, faculty, family, and other audience members.
Location: Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cohort size: 50–60 for the school-year program; 10 high schoolers from the cohort are selected for the internship
Cost/Stipend: Typically, $15/hour
Dates: Vary with spring and fall cohorts and an internship in summer
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11 who are at least 16, enrolled in partner metro area public high schools, and belong to backgrounds that are disadvantaged or underrepresented in STEM. Check the complete eligibility details here.
The M-ASCEND is a paid training and internship program for high school and undergraduate students interested in behavioral sciences, biomedical fields, cancer research, and healthcare. As a participant, you will attend online and in-person sessions, accessing mentorship and guidance regarding future education and cancer research. If selected for the internship, you will work on an individual research project under the mentorship of faculty and undergraduate students. You will tour university labs, attend public health lectures and professional development workshops, and network with university faculty. The program culminates in a poster symposium, where you will present your project.
Location: Cedar Riverside Opportunity Center and various libraries in Minneapolis, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Stipend: $22/hour; amount can vary each year
Dates: Vary as per location; commitment of six to eight hours/week after school and on weekends
Application deadline: Rolling as per internship spots
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are 16–18 years old
Hennepin County Library offers high school students leadership experiences through its STEAM Squad internships. As an intern, you will work in a small group recommending, researching, planning, and leading activities for children and teens at Hennepin County Library and other libraries. You will gain hands-on learning experiences under guidance from a skilled mentor, and attend training sessions to develop professional skills. You will design and deliver creative programs related to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math while researching the interests of the community and kids/teens. You will gain experience in teaching, delivering presentations, and facilitating learning activities for different age groups.
Location: Climate Generation Office, Minneapolis, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: Some roles are stipend-based
Dates: Runs throughout the school year, with weekly in-person meetings every Wednesday
Application deadline: September 25
Eligibility: High school students in Minnesota
The Climate Generation Youth Environmental Activists (YEA!) is a climate leadership collective for Minnesota youth. As a YEA! Leader, you will acquire the knowledge and develop skills around climate change to start your own project. You will learn about climate policy-making and organizing movements and engage in activities to create awareness about the effects of climate change through artwork, direct interactions with friends and family members, and poster campaigns. You will attend online and in-person weekly sessions at the main office and get hands-on practice in researching a climate-related topic as well as planning climate change events.
Location: Hennepin County, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Stipend: $22 minimum hourly wage
Dates: Vary by opportunity
Application deadline: TBA; you can sign up for updates on upcoming openings here.
Eligibility: Students who are 14–24 years old and currently enrolled in a high school/GED program/college, working towards a diploma/degree/technical/vocational certificate, or who have graduated in the last six months
Various departments of Hennepin County, in partnership with Achieve Twin Cities and the cities of Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center, and Brooklyn Park, hire student interns throughout the year. During your internship, you will get opportunities to build skills and grow a professional network through workshops designed to help you identify your strengths, understand aspects of diversity and inclusion, and build a resume. Earlier interns have worked in various departments, including energy and environment, HR, public works, and database administration, among others. You can also attend one-on-one career guidance sessions at the County's Employee Career Center.
Location: Statewide MnDOT offices and districts, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Varies by role/location; a previous position for a clerical role had 12 spots
Cost/Stipend: $18.72/hour starting pay
Dates: Summer-only and year-round tracks available
Application deadline: Applications are open between February and May; dates TBA
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year with a 3.0 GPA; applicants must be enrolled in pre-engineering or other STEM courses at Project Lead the Way (PLTW) high schools or in local youth employment organizations such as Step Up and EMERGE. Check the details regarding school and coursework requirements here.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) offers paid work opportunities to high school students in the summer as well as during the school year. You will work for 32–40 hours a week during summer and/or 15 hours/week during the school year, working at various MnDOT offices and districts. You will attend a formal interview session and an orientation program with peers before getting an assigned work location. At the assigned site, you will work with industry professionals on current projects in a variety of functional areas within MnDOT to explore transportation and STEM-related careers. You will also participate in workshops and field trips to gain insight into MnDOT's work, develop interpersonal skills, and build a professional network.
Location: Listen Up Youth Radio, St. Paul, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Varies by role
Cost/Stipend: Stipends or school credits awarded
Dates: Vary by role
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students
Listen Up Youth Radio, a Twin Cities-based social enterprise, offers youth paid/school credit work opportunities in areas like media production, journalism, media literacy, civic engagement, and leadership development. Here, you will get some insights into radio and digital media while engaging in discussions, attending events, and assisting the organization’s staff. You can select the type of work you would like to engage in, with opportunities including hosting your own radio show (live radio or pre-recorded episodes), producing audio storytelling content, working as a podcast and technical assistance intern, and even assisting board members. These opportunities can help you contribute to the organization’s content and develop creative thinking skills. You can look for available opportunities here.
Location: JXTA Labs, Minneapolis, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available
Cost/Stipend: $16/hour
Dates: Year-long; a commitment of nine hours/week during the school year
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Young adults, ages 14–21, who have completed Visual Art Literacy Training (VALT); priority given to Northside residents
Juxtaposition Arts offers a workforce development program in which industry professionals mentor Minneapolis youth with artistic talent and provide year-round apprenticeships in art and design. After completing a free introductory drawing VALT course, you will be eligible to interview for a paid apprenticeship in JXTALabs. If selected, you will undergo training, learn from artists, and work on real projects for JXTA clients/customers/campus projects under the guidance of professional artists, designers, and architects. If placed in the Graphic Design Lab, you will focus on developing skills in digital illustration, graphic design, and brand development before working on client projects. In the Contemporary Art Lab, you will create art pieces with a diverse range of mediums and styles to be showcased at museums and galleries or for art collectors and clients. In the Environmental Design Lab, you will plan and create hands-on 3D objects and sculptures for public spaces such as street corners, plazas, and other urban areas.
Location: Threads Dance Nexus, Minneapolis, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Stipend: Typically, unpaid; stipend may be paid if arranged through a college/university
Dates: Vary by position
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Anyone who is at least 16 years old with some background in dance; role-specific requirements vary
Threads Dance Nexus conducts dance classes, workshops, and artist development programs for people of diverse age groups in Minneapolis. It offers various internship opportunities to artists to expand their skill set and assist the organization in its activities. You will either be required to work independently or collaborate with personnel, with internships generally requiring a commitment of two to three months. You will gain key skills in time management, communication, and collaboration. You apply for internship roles in marketing, production, administration, or development, and engage in tasks like content creation and social media marketing, assisting with documentation, cataloging, maintaining costume inventory, etc. Current opportunities are listed here.
Location: Indigenous Peoples Task Force, Minneapolis, MN, or other Native community organizations
Cohort size: 15
Cost/Stipend: $18/hour + $100 cell phone stipend
Dates: Vary as per the organization's schedule, typically starting in June; commitment of two to four months
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Native young adults, ages 18–24 years
The Keep the Fire Alive (KTFA) Internship is a paid opportunity for Native young adults to develop professional skills for the workplace. Here, you will work with a cohort of Native young adults and participate in cultural activities. You will attend a professional training program prior to the internship, with sessions on managing stress, self-care, financial planning, etc. You will undergo training to become a peer recovery specialist, gaining familiarity with QPR suicide prevention, NARCAN, and opioid prevention. Following this, you will work for an organization and a supervisor based on your interests and strengths.
Location: White Bear Center for the Arts, White Bear Lake, MN (students from outside the White Bear Lake area can apply; transportation is not a barrier)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Information not available (7 in the first cohort)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Dates: Mid-November – June
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students who are 16+ and able to commit a minimum of 9 hours/week
The Studio Repose High School Internship Program is a paid internship opportunity for high school students to explore careers in the arts. Here, you will gain some experience in graphic design, social media marketing, organizing events, and other organizational tasks under the mentorship of professionals. You will refine your creativity as well as time management, interpersonal communication, and leadership skills. You will work on a wide range of projects, from designing a marketing poster for a program to curating and installing exhibits and providing administrative support for youth programs. In the process, you will get insights into setting up and managing a nonprofit arts center. Networking opportunities will help you connect with local artists.
One other option—Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you want to pursue independent research under the guidance of a mentor, consider applying to Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective high school programs founded in partnership with Harvard and Oxford researchers. In the past, 4,000+ students applied for just 500 spots in the research program. You can learn about the application and available programs on the application form here.
Also, you can check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented low-income students. Last year, it offered 150 students full need-based financial assistance.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop a research paper.
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