15 Internships for High School Students in Pittsburgh
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 24
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student in Pittsburgh looking to make the most of your free time, internships are worth exploring.
As an intern, you get to explore professional work environments while building skills in communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. Internships can also offer mentorship from industry leaders and the chance to contribute to meaningful projects.
From medical research lab internships to opportunities at environmental nonprofits and tech startups, Pittsburgh offers a range of internship opportunities to high school students interested in gaining early professional experience. These programs can not only help you explore future career paths but also give you a competitive edge when applying to college or other academic programs.
In this blog, we have narrowed it down to 15 internships for high school students in Pittsburgh. We have focused on factors like prestige of host organizations, rigor of professional experience, and opportunities to network with peers and professionals to offer you options in various disciplines.
If you are looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; varies by cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts, including summer, winter, fall, and spring, each year
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students; must commit to 10–20 hours per week
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program format; financial assistance available
Ladder Internships connects motivated high school students with startups and organizations in sectors such as law, policy, and legal tech. During the eight-week remote internship, you will work on real-world projects like legal research, policy analyses, and digital marketing campaigns while receiving personalized guidance from a Ladder Coach and a professional mentor. You will commit 10–20 hours every week on assigned tasks and various sessions. You will end the program by presenting your final deliverables to your host organization. The program’s structured support system, flexible scheduling, and emphasis on mentorship and professional growth are its key highlights.
Location: Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Rolling; typical commitment of 10–15 hours/week or minimum 120 hours total
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18; background clearances are part of the screening process
Cost/Stipend: Free; limited paid internships may be available
As a Carnegie Science Center intern, you will gain hands-on experience in science education, event planning, and exhibit design. This internship offers the opportunity to assist with educational programming, research content, develop materials for exhibits and shows, and support creative projects in marketing, nutrition, and more. You will work 10–15 hours per week and must complete at least 120 hours to finish the program. You can indicate your areas of interest, whether STEM or other disciplines, while applying to be placed in a department that can accommodate your preferences. Your precise tasks can vary based on the placement.
Location: Magee-Womens Research Institute or the Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate: <8%
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors, age 16+, residing in southwestern Pennsylvania counties (e.g., Allegheny, Westmoreland, Butler)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,800 stipend available for students eligible under the National School Lunch Program
This competitive six-week summer internship at MWRI offers students the chance to engage in basic, translational, or clinical biomedical research under the guidance of expert faculty and staff. You will work on an independent research project, attend professional development sessions like Lunch & Learns, and present your findings at a formal research symposium. Past intern topics have included fertility preservation, cancer biology, and maternal health. The program draws from multiple departments across the University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Hospital, creating a rich interdisciplinary environment. You need to fulfill a 240-hour commitment over six weeks.
Location: UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; varying cohort sizes, with 80+ students in the previous cohort
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 years of age or older; preference given to rising high school seniors and juniors
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend offered to students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedicine
The Hillman Academy offers an eight-week summer research program focused on cancer biology, tumor immunology, women’s cancers, and biomedical informatics. Hosted at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, this program provides high school students with hands-on experience working in cutting-edge research labs. You will be paired with a faculty mentor and engage in independent or team-based projects that reflect current priorities in cancer research. Specialized tracks like DiSCoBio (drug discovery) and CoSBBI (computational and systems biology) are available for students with advanced interests in data science or bioinformatics. The program includes lab training, mentorship, and a possible stipend.
Location: Virtual projects available for Pittsburgh students
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available; no stipend
ASSIP offers virtual research internships in various fields, including engineering, finance, physics, statistics, computer science, and game design. You can choose a mentor offering a remote research format to investigate a topic in a research area of interest and develop scientific writing and communication skills in the process. During the program, you will learn about various STEM career paths through discussion forums led by professors, researchers, and professionals. The program concludes with the annual ASSIP Research Symposium and Celebration. You may also have the opportunity to publish your work or present it at scientific conferences.
Location: Range Resources office in Canonsburg, PA (about 30 minutes from Pittsburgh, PA)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; varies by location
Dates: Summer; interns typically work 10–20 hours/week
Application deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (ages 16+) in Pittsburgh/Washington County with a GPA of 3.0+
Stipend: Paid internship; scholarship opportunity for graduating seniors
The SMART Start program offers rising juniors and seniors paid summer internships to explore the natural gas industry through hands-on experience and professional mentorship. You will be matched with departments such as engineering, HR, IT, land management, or environmental safety based on your interests, and will work closely with mentors and supervisors. You will attend internal career-readiness events and receive support from Range employees at all levels. The program emphasizes individualized mentorship, professional development, and networking, with the added benefit of a potential scholarship for seniors upon completion. The experience will also offer insights into career paths at Range.
Location: Various locations in Pittsburgh, PA, like the Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Science Center, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, The Andy Warhol Museum, and Powdermill Nature Reserve
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Varies by program and location
Dates: Most teen programs run in the summer or during the academic year
Application deadline: Varies by museum and opportunity
Eligibility: Teens, ages 14–19
Cost/Stipend: Free; some programs offer stipends or community service hours.
The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh offer a wide variety of internship, volunteer, and advisory opportunities to high school students interested in art, science, education, and museum work. Teens can assist with summer camp organization, join teen councils, contribute to curatorial projects, or even help develop public events and exhibitions. Each of the four museums has unique offerings, from the Youth Art Initiative at the Carnegie Museum of Art to the Teen Advisory Board at the Museum of Natural History and the Youth Arts Council at The Warhol. As a participant, you can gain experience in areas like education, programming, research, and digital media. The programs are tailored to offer both personal growth and professional exposure, and many provide free museum access and networking perks.
Location: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible; offered throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling; coordinate with your sponsoring MWRI researcher
Eligibility: High school students age 16+ who have secured the sponsorship of an MWRI researcher
Cost/Stipend: Free; unpaid research training program
The High School Research Trainee Program provides students with year-round mentored biomedical research training. To participate, you must secure a sponsoring faculty mentor from within MWRI prior to applying. Once this arrangement is in place, you will assist in ongoing research projects, gain laboratory experience, and learn firsthand about the scientific process in areas related to women’s and reproductive health. This flexible, mentor-guided program is ideal for students seeking long-term immersion in clinical or translational research. For support and details, you can contact the MWRI Education Office.
Location: Opportunities throughout the U.S., including in PA. You will be assigned a mentor in your area within a 45-minute distance from your home.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; flexible start and end dates
Application deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors and recent graduates who are at least 16 and live in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Cost/Stipend: No fees; a $3,000 stipend + an all-expense-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, offers summer internships to high schoolers interested in fisheries and aquatic science. As a Hutton Scholar, you will connect with fisheries professionals and engage in projects that focus on habitat restoration, protection, and management. The program offers insights into the routine of a fisheries biologist and a look at other career paths in the animal and aquatic sciences. Additionally, you will work on tasks such as examining aquatic specimens, conducting fish population surveys, electrofishing, and data processing. A key part of the program is an all-expense-paid four-night trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit, which offers sessions on college prep and fisheries as a field. You will present your internship project at the end of the program.
Location: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; varies by cohort
Dates: Wednesday Cohort: June 18 – July 23 + Youth Garden Summit: July 28 | Thursday Cohort: June 19 – July 24 + Youth Garden Summit: July 28
Application deadline: May 5
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14–19, who have completed at least one year of high school
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend awarded upon completion
The EcoLeader Academy is a seven-week environmental leadership program for high school students passionate about ecology, sustainability, and justice. Conducted through weekly summer sessions at Phipps Conservatory, the program offers access to interactive workshops, expert-led sessions, and service projects that cover topics like climate change, food systems, policy, and environmental health. The program emphasizes public speaking, collaboration, and community engagement, culminating in a Youth Garden Summit where you will share your learning experience with peers. The program also offers insights into green careers and skills required to pursue careers in policy, education, science, research, communication, and other environmental fields.
Location: Energy Innovation Center and Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Fall session; exact dates vary
Application deadline: July 21
Eligibility: High school students who are 14–18 years old
Cost/Stipend: Free; $600 stipend + $100 transportation stipend
Offered in partnership by Carnegie Science Center and the Readiness Institute at Penn State, the Launch Your Future internship introduces high schoolers to the growing space industry in Pittsburgh. Over multiple one-day sessions during the fall, you will explore space-related career paths, meet industry professionals, and complete hands-on innovation challenges. The program focuses on developing career readiness skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, and culminates in a Future Ready certificate. Additionally, at the Carnegie Science Center, you will explore career opportunities in healthcare, including clinical roles, biomedical research paths, healthcare communication careers, and public health roles.
Location: FBI Field Office, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; limited seats per session
Dates: Summer or academic year; varies by cycle.
Application deadline: Early Spring
Eligibility: High school students in the Pittsburgh area with an interest in law enforcement, leadership, or public service
Cost/Stipend: Free
The FBI Teen Academy in Pittsburgh offers high school students practical exposure to the world of federal law enforcement. Led by FBI special agents, analysts, and staff, the program combines hands-on activities in forensic science and fitness with interactive lessons on safety topics like violence prevention and digital threats. You will also explore the ethics and responsibilities of public service and develop critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills. This free program can help you explore your interests in legal or civic careers and interact with professionals in national security and criminal justice.
Location: University of Pittsburgh’s Schools of the Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; limited capacity
Dates: 10-12 weeks during the summer, starting in June
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older
Cost/Stipend: Free; unpaid, non-credit educational experience
The RTP program provides high school students with exposure to scientific and medical research in a real-world academic setting. You will work with a faculty mentor and may engage in observational or supportive roles across a range of health science disciplines. You will gain firsthand experience in lab environments and attend academic enrichment activities designed to broaden your understanding of health careers. This is a non-credit, unpaid opportunity designed to foster long-term interest in medical science and help you present and communicate your findings. Although currently operating at a limited capacity, the program provides high schoolers with valuable opportunities each year to gain early insight into clinical and biomedical research.
Location: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Weekly meetings during the academic year (fall and spring semesters)
Application deadline: Varies; contact diversityaffairs@medschool.pitt.edu for current details
Eligibility: High school students in the Pittsburgh area from underrepresented minorities in medicine
Cost/Stipend: Free
Medical Explorers is a school-year enrichment program for Pittsburgh-area high school students interested in medicine, with a specific focus on supporting underrepresented minority students. Each semester centers on a topic chosen by you, with weekly sessions featuring lectures by minority physicians, shadowing opportunities, lab experiences, and clinical pathology conferences. You will also engage with medical students, receive CPR training, and build academic skills in areas like study strategies and time management. The program can provide a foundational knowledge base for pursuing careers in the health professions, mentorship, and opportunities to increase minority representation in medical education.
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by program; many activities are scheduled during the summer
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students interested in biology, genetics, and translational research
Cost/Stipend: Free
The University of Pittsburgh’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) offers high school students a unique opportunity for biomedical education through its Mobile Science Lab, a 70-foot trailer equipped with 26 science workstations. Here, programs like “Examining Biological Systems,” “Human Genetics,” and “Moving Molecules” let you explore complex scientific topics in a hands-on environment. While not a traditional internship, CTSI’s educational programs provide exposure to laboratory tools and translational research concepts through workshops and modules tailored for pre-college learners. Additional research training and events may be available on campus or through partner initiatives.
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 1-on-1 with a research mentor to come up with an independent research paper.
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