15 Internships for High School Students in Portland, Oregon
- Stephen Turban
- 11 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re a high school student looking to gain professional experience, an internship is one of the best ways to get started. Many internships for high schoolers involve lab work, community outreach, or innovative projects led by professionals. You’ll build skills, gain exposure to the pace and expectations of the workplace, and work alongside mentors who can guide your next steps.
Whether you're interested in business, healthcare, government, technology, or the arts, internships help you build industry-ready skills, grow your network, and explore your interests in a professional environment. This can also strengthen your college applications and give you a clearer direction when it comes to choosing your academic or career path.
We’ve curated a list of 15 internships for high school students in Portland, Oregon, based on the prestige of the host organization, the quality and structure of the internship experience, and access to mentorship or career insight. If you're looking for more national-level high school opportunities, check out this set of blogs.
15 Internships for High School Students in Portland, Oregon
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full 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. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location: OHSU Knight Cancer Research Building, Portland, OR
Cost: Stipend of about $11 per hour, plus a bus pass
Program Dates: June 23 to August 15
Application Deadline: Typically due in mid-December
Eligibility: Students must be 16 years or older with a 3.0 GPA
The Ted R. Lilley Continuing Umbrella of Research Education (CURE) is a prestigious 8-week internship that places high school students in cancer research labs at OHSU. Interns gain hands-on experience in labs, learning techniques used in cancer biology, genetics, and biochemistry under the mentorship of Knight Cancer Institute faculty members. Alongside research, you’ll also attend workshops on career development, scientific communication, and college prep, and participate in a poster presentation that will be attended by the lab employees, directors, and other staff of the Knight Cancer Institute, making this a well-rounded professional learning experience.
Location: OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Portland, OR
Cost: Free, stipend provided
Program Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: May 12
Eligibility: Oregon high school students at least 16 years old by May 30
Knight Scholars Cardiovascular Internship allows you to explore careers in the field of cardiovascular medicine and research. You'll explore heart health and scientific innovation through lab tours, clinical shadowing, collaborative projects, and workshops. With guidance from medical researchers and professionals, the Knight Scholars program offers a deep dive into healthcare careers and biomedical research opportunities.
Location: 100 internship positions across Oregon and Southwest Washington
Cost: $40 non-refundable application fee; waivers are available.
Program Dates: June 7 - August 23
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders who live within 50 miles of the position location
The Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering (ASE) program is a well-regarded research internship that connects high school students with mentors in STEM fields across Oregon. From environmental science and neuroscience to computer programming and mechanical engineering, interns contribute to ongoing projects at research institutions, universities, hospitals, and private companies. Each placement is tailored to match your interests and skills, giving you a strong introduction to the rigors and rewards of STEM careers. You’ll also take part in career-focused workshops, draft a scientific paper, and present your research at a formal symposium. Internships take place at institutions like Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Intel, Nike, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Location: Portland, OR
Cost: No cost. Interns receive an hourly wage stipend based on their school year
Program Dates: Varies by role. Typically 12 months with full time work in summer and part time work during the school year
Application Deadline: Rolling, based on open positions
Eligibility: High school students with a 2.5 GPA or higher
The Port of Portland Internship program is a year-round internship that offers a behind-the-scenes look at how ports, airports, and infrastructure operate. With placements across business, engineering, environmental planning, and IT, the program provides experience in managing complex transportation systems. You’ll be paired with a mentor who’ll guide you through department projects, team collaboration, and goal setting. This program can be a solid experience if you’re interested in public service, logistics, or sustainable infrastructure.
Location: Gibbs Laboratory, Portland, OR
Cost: No cost
Program Dates: Flexible, 10 week minimum
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students
The Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship program focuses on developing contrast agents to improve imaging technologies. You’ll learn about fluorescence microscopy, spectroscopy, organic synthesis, cell culture, and more while learning about computational tools for image analysis and data processing. The first summer is unpaid and focused on learning core lab techniques, but you could be invited back the following summer for a paid research role. It’s a valuable opportunity to build foundational lab skills while working on projects that advance disease detection technologies.
Location: OHSU School of Dentistry, Portland, OR
Cost: No fee | Stipend of $15/hour or minimum wage
Program Dates: 6-week internship
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduate students, recent graduates from undergraduate programs, aged 16 years and above
The Research Internship program at OHSU School of Dentistry allows you to explore biomedical and dental sciences through lab research while being mentored by OHSU faculty. You’ll gain experience in lab techniques, data collection, and scientific procedures. In addition to research, you’ll attend seminars and learn about research ethics, career paths, and academic opportunities in dental and oral healthcare. The program ends with a research symposium where you’ll present your findings.
Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center
Cost: Free, hourly wage provided
Program Dates: March to September
Application Deadline: Typically early spring
Eligibility: Oregon high school and undergraduate students
As a part of the Plant Pathology Internship, you’ll help identify plant diseases, analyze soil and tissue samples, and assist with lab and field research. You’ll engage in plant pathology science, spending about half your time contributing to ongoing research and outreach projects, and the other half leading your own mentored experiment. You’ll also support outreach efforts by creating educational materials on plant disease for the Oregon nursery industry and assisting with webinar content and social media communication. Through mentorship from faculty and grad students, you’ll learn diagnostic techniques, participate in lab meetings, and contribute to ongoing agricultural research. This program can be a meaningful experience if you’re curious about biology, environmental science, or sustainable farming.
Location: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, ORHousing at Portland State University
Cost: Free, stipend provided
Program Dates: Varies by cohort, typically 8 to 10 weeks from mid-June to mid-August
Application Deadline: Typically January or February
Eligibility: 11th and 12th grade students
STEMPrep at OHSU is a multi-year summer internship designed to support students from historically underrepresented communities in science and medicine. As a STEMPrep intern, you’ll engage in full-time lab research, take part in professional development workshops, and receive one-on-one mentorship from scientists and medical professionals. The program also includes a structured curriculum with workshops on hypothesis generation and experimental design, journal reviews on novel technologies, lab safety and ethics training, weekly career seminars, and a culminating research presentation. Focused on long-term career development, they offer research opportunities each summer from high school through college. If you’re a student aiming for a career in science or medicine, STEMPrep can provide both the skills and network to help you get there.
Location: VirtualPoster symposium and optional summer internship at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
Cost: No fees
Program Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: December 8
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Partnership for Scientific Inquiry program offers a deep dive into scientific thinking and research. You’ll start by attending a weekly seminar series covering medical research topics like immunology, neuroscience, cancer biology, infectious diseases, and computational biology. These seminars are paired with 1:1 mentorship from a research professional, helping you develop your own research proposal and scientific article presentation. This program is ideal if you're looking to build real research skills and explore how scientists approach complex problems. The program wraps up with a conference where you’ll showcase your work through presentations and posters. You’ll also earn 0.5 high school credit upon successful completion of the spring course.
Location: University of Portland, Portland, OR
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 24 to 28
Application Deadline: Closed for the season
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years old by the first day of the program. Graduating seniors are not eligible
High School Nurse Camp offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of nursing in an interactive and supportive environment. Hosted by the University of Portland’s School of Nursing & Health Innovations (UPSONHI), the camp includes simulations, clinical skill-building workshops, and a close look at healthcare delivery. If you're interested in patient care, public health, or the fast-paced hospital environment, this camp gives you an overview. You’ll also learn what it takes academically and professionally to pursue a nursing career.
Location: Portland, OR
Cost: $200 tuition fee, tuition assistance provided. Base stipend $480 per week. Up to $2,500 total stipend
Program Dates: Session I: June 23 to July 25 | Session II Portland: July 29 to August 22 | Session II Eugene and UCF: July 29 to August 29
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 to 18 who are US citizens or permanent residents
NYC’s Youth Community Program combines outdoor conservation work with leadership training and community impact. You’ll maintain trails, restore habitats, and improve green spaces around Portland while earning a weekly stipend and potentially high school credit. With a strong focus on teamwork and environmental awareness, this program is a good fit if you're curious about the environment and enjoy being outdoors. Note that the work can be physically demanding, so you should be prepared for full-day outdoor activities in varying weather condition
13. HEART Internship
Location: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: June 24 to July 12
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Current high school students
The High School Students Engaged in Applied Sciences, Research and Technology (HEART) Internship collaboration between Dr. Kheradvar’s lab at UCI and Dr. Rugonyi’s lab at OHSU gives you a three-week dive into the world of cardiac research and biomedical engineering. Hosted at OHSU, this program blends lab-based experimentation with computational modeling to study heart development, blood flow, and congenital heart disease. You’ll be part of a research team working on real-life questions in developmental biology and engineering. The internship ends with a formal research presentation to faculty and peers, giving you a strong foundation in both scientific inquiry and public speaking.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $40 application fee. $850 program fee if accepted. Financial aid available
Program Dates: June 16 to June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students aged 14 and older
Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging (AIMI) is a virtual internship that gives you early exposure to the role of AI in healthcare innovation. You’ll work with a team on a project focused on using machine learning to solve real-world medical challenges, such as disease prediction and diagnosis. Guided by Stanford researchers, you’ll gain experience in coding, data analysis, and presenting scientific research. The program also features professional development sessions and career chats with AI and healthcare leaders. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion.
15. Girls Who Code
Location: Summer Immersion Program (SIP): Live-Virtual Classes | Pathways: Online and self-paced
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Summer Immersion Program (SIP): 2 weeks | Pathways: 6 weeks
Application Deadline: SIP: Not mentioned | Pathways: year-round
Eligibility: SIP: High school students in grades 9 - 11 | Pathways: Grade 9 - 12, including Summer Programs alumni and graduating seniors
Girls Who Code offers two signature programs designed to introduce high schoolers to computer science through application, mentorship, and projects. The Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is a virtual, two-week intensive program that combines live instruction with workshops, panels, and community-building. You’ll learn web development, a step-by-step game designing process, and the basics of UX design with support from industry professionals. Under the Pathways Program, you can choose from tracks such as Web Development, Data Science, and AI. You can complete the course at your own pace and have the opportunity to learn from industry-leading companies at live events. Both programs focus on bridging the gender gap in tech and are open to students with or without prior coding experience.
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, check out students’ reviews of the program here and 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.
Image Source - Ladder Internships logo