15 Internships for High School Students in Toronto
- Stephen Turban
- 6 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student in Toronto, internships are one of the best ways to gain early exposure to professional environments. They help you build practical skills, get a sense of different industries, and start forming valuable connections.Â
Whether you’re exploring interests in business, healthcare, tech, or the arts, internships for high school students in Toronto can give you a clearer idea of what career paths you might want to pursue. Additionally, they stand out on college applications and future resumes by demonstrating initiative, a strong work ethic, and real-world experience and save on international travel and housing expenses.
We’ve put together this list of the best 15 internships for high school students in Toronto, carefully selected based on their prestige, rigor of professional experience, and opportunities to network with established professionals. They also include a few virtual internships that allow students in Toronto to apply.
If you’re looking for more prestigious research programs, internships, and region-specific opportunities in engineering and STEM, check out this set of blogs.
15 Internships for High School Students in Toronto
Location:Â Virtual
Cost/Stipend:Â Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available | None
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â 10% | 70-100
Dates:Â Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November). Fall deadline is August 24
Eligibility: Students who can work for 5 – 10 hours/week for 8 weeks. Open to college students and young professionals!
Ladder Internships offers a rigorous virtual program where you’ll work on real-world projects with early-stage startups in areas like medicine, health tech, and biotech. You might take on tasks such as user research, market analysis, or technical documentation, all under the guidance of a startup mentor and a dedicated Ladder Coach. The program includes weekly training sessions, individualized feedback, and professional development workshops designed to strengthen your industry communication skills. By the end of the internship, you’ll have a portfolio-ready deliverable that reflects your hands-on experience. This flexible format makes it an excellent option if you want to explore any sectors while accessing mentorship and networking opportunities from home.
Location:Â Virtual
Cost/Stipend:Â None | None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small teams of 2–3 students per project
Dates:Â Semester-based (Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions)
Application Deadline:Â Rolling (early applications encouraged)
Eligibility:Â Grade 11 and 12 students in Canada completing a school-supported co-op placement
This virtual co-op program offers a hands-on introduction to space science and science communication through project-based learning. You will work in a small team, typically made up of just two to three students, to design educational tools that explore chemistry, planetary science, and Canadian space research. Alongside these projects, you’ll take on short research assignments that broaden your understanding of current STEM topics. Throughout the placement, you’ll refine skills in research, coding, and public communication while benefiting from personalized mentorship. The experience is particularly valuable if you’re interested in interdisciplinary STEM projects with a tangible impact on education and outreach.
Location:Â Downtown core of Toronto(virtual/in-person hybrid depending on year)
Cost/Stipend:Â None | Paid (exact hourly rate will be outlined in your offer letter)
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Competitive; small teams for project work
Dates: July 2 – August 20
Application Deadline:Â July 25; opens in spring (varies annually)
Eligibility:Â Grade 11 and 12 students enrolled in an Ontario high school | Working knowledge of one or more programming languages | Applied experience with technology concepts or coding (attended hackathons, clubs, tech focused programs, etc.)
Royal Bank of Canada’s Summer Tech Labs is a competitive 8-week internship where you’ll serve as an Innovation Developer, tackling real-world challenges in the financial technology sector. You’ll work in small teams to build functional prototypes using tools like JavaScript, React.js, and GitHub, all while learning agile development and design thinking methodologies. Throughout the program, you’ll receive support from professional mentors and RBC staff as you research, ideate, code, and ultimately present your solutions. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and collaborative problem-solving, giving you a close look at how innovation and technology intersect in the financial industry.
Location:Â SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario
Cost/Stipend:Â None | Paid at minimum wage + vacation pay
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Varies by lab; depends on securing a supervisor
Dates: May 5 – August 14
Application Deadline:Â Typically January end
Eligibility:Â High school students in their final year (who will be entering post-secondary that fall)
The SSuRe Program offers summer research experiences to high school and undergraduate students at one of Canada’s top pediatric hospitals. If you are selected by a SickKids scientist to assist with a research project, you’ll participate in seminars, a research career panel, and the Summer Student Symposium, where you’ll present your findings. Throughout the program, you’ll learn how to write research abstracts, create a scientific poster, and develop your communication skills. You’ll also have the chance to interact closely with leading researchers in fields like molecular biology, genetics, and clinical research. This decentralized format means you must reach out to individual labs to secure a placement before participating in the program.
Location:Â Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Cost/Stipend:Â None | Paid (amount unspecified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; small cohort each summer
Dates:Â 8-9 weeks in the summer tentatively starting on July 2
Application Deadline:Â February 14
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 10–12 | At least 16 years old by July 1 | Legally authorized to work in Canada
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre offers a focused ultrasound summer research program that immerses high school students in interdisciplinary lab work spanning medicine, physics, technology, engineering, and biology. You’ll contribute to the lab’s ongoing research by assisting with tasks such as designing circuit boards, exploring how focused ultrasound impacts different biological mechanisms, and carrying out experimental studies. You’ll also gain exposure to the intersection of medical research and device development, learning how laboratory investigations translate into clinical applications. Throughout the experience, you’ll build technical and analytical skills while working alongside researchers at one of Toronto’s leading health science centers.
Location:Â Various sites across Canada (universities, companies, government labs); some virtual components
Cost/Stipend:Â None | Paid at least the prescribed minimum wage in Alberta
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective
Dates: 8–16 weeks from July to August
Application Deadline:Â Unspecified; opens in November
Eligibility:Â High school students, post-secondary education students, or those accepted to post-secondary education programs and are between the ages of 15 and 22; More details here
The ELITE Program for Black Youth provides high-impact internships in STEM and business by placing participants in university research labs, government departments, and private tech companies. As an intern, you’ll work on authentic projects using professional tools while building skills in research, engineering, or entrepreneurship. One day each week is dedicated to professional development workshops that focus on leadership, career preparation, and networking. You’ll also complete a final project that you’ll present at a program-wide showcase. High school students are required to complete a Workplace Safety Systems - HCS 3000 course before starting and may be eligible to earn co-op credits.
Location:Â Remote
Cost/Stipend:Â None | $17 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â 10% | around 25 students
Dates:Â July 7 - August 22
Application Deadline:Â February 18
Eligibility:Â High school students entering 12th grade | Have an expected average of 75% in Grade 11
In Nokia’s Future Tech Summer Internship, high school students explore real-world technology and engineering environments over seven weeks. Each participant is paired with a mentor who guides them through the experience, offers career insight, and provides support in professional and personal growth. You will work in teams alongside Nokia engineers, tackling genuine technical problems and projects. The program will expose you to multiple technology disciplines such as software, hardware, and computer engineering. The experience is intended to help students make more informed decisions about postsecondary education and future careers in STEM fields. The hybrid/remote format allows for flexible collaboration and networking with peers from across Canada.
Location:Â Across Canada; varies by department and agency
Cost/Stipend:Â None | $17.75 - $38.38 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Large; over 200 departments participate
Dates:Â Varies by position (full-time and part-time roles available year-round)
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; applications accepted year-round
Eligibility:Â Must be a full-time high school or post-secondary student planning to return to school in the next academic term | Meet minimum age requirements in province/territory of work
The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) is Canada’s largest student hiring initiative, connecting thousands of students to entry-level roles across more than 200 federal departments. Many placements involve administrative duties, policy research, and legal support, particularly within departments like Justice Canada, Public Safety, and Immigration. These roles provide early exposure to government legal operations, legal documentation practices, and the broader public policy landscape. You’ll apply through a general inventory and may be matched to positions throughout the year, making this program a flexible option if you’re interested in careers related to law, governance, or public service.
Location:Â Blakes Toronto Office, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend:Â None | None
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; limited to LAWS partner schools
Dates:Â Runs throughout the academic year with workplace visits and events
Application Deadline:Â Varies by school; coordinated through LAWS program
Eligibility:Â High school students attending LAWS-partner schools in Toronto
The LAWS/Blakes Mentoring Program is a collaboration between the Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS) initiative and Blakes, one of Canada’s top law firms. It connects high school students from equity-seeking communities with legal professionals for mentorship and hands-on exposure to the field of law. You’ll be paired with a lawyer who will guide you through job shadowing experiences, office events, and skill-building workshops designed to strengthen your understanding of the legal profession. The program places a strong emphasis on developing confidence, exploring pathways in law, and providing long-term academic encouragement, making it an impactful opportunity for students considering careers in the legal sector.
Location:Â Virtual
Cost/Stipend:Â $4,900 USD; financial aid options is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective | 20-30 students per session
Dates:Â August 2 - September 4
Application Deadline:Â July 25
Eligibility:Â High school students globally
The Dentons Global Virtual Work Experience is a premium online internship tailored for high school students interested in exploring corporate and commercial law. Over four weeks, you’ll participate in live workshops, interactive legal simulations, and mentor-led projects guided by practicing lawyers from Dentons, the world’s largest law firm. You’ll work on simulated cases involving contract disputes and other corporate matters, gaining practical experience in legal research, drafting, and analysis. The program concludes with a capstone project where you present legal recommendations to peers and mentors, mirroring the work of junior associates. The internship offers one of the most hands-on and globally connected virtual law experiences available to Canadian students.
Location:Â Across Canada; coordinated locally. TDSB, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend:Â None | Paid, unspecified amount
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Varies by Intern Host Organization (IHO)
Dates:Â Varies by placement; typically aligned with employer needs
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; varies by IHO
Eligibility: Ages 15–30 with post-secondary level achievement (must have completed more than secondary school) | Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or refugee, legally entitled to work in Canada | Must not be in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) while participating
The Youth Internship Initiative is a national program whose goal is to help Canadian youth develop essential digital and ICT skills that ease their transition into the workforce. Intern Host Organizations (IHOs), coordinated locally by groups such as the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), provide paid internships that include structured on-the-job training, orientation, and mentorship. You will work on meaningful ICT projects and gain exposure to a range of digital tasks that prepare you for careers in Canada’s knowledge economy. This program is ideal for young adults looking to build practical ICT expertise while supported by federal leadership in skill development.
Location:Â Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, CA
Cost/Stipend:Â None | Approximately $15.50/ hour for 8 weeks
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly competitive | Around 65 students
Dates: Summer: Late June - Late August | March Break Program: One week in March
Application Deadline:Â Summer: Early April | March Break: Early January
Eligibility:Â High school students in grades 11-12 | Must be 16 by the start of the internship | Must have completed or be currently enrolled in Grade 11 Biology & Chemistry | Must comply with Sinai Health System immunization policies
In this internship, you will work alongside leading scientists at Mount Sinai Hospital, gaining exposure to advanced topics such as genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, clinical research, and disease mechanisms. You will engage in hands-on activities, including assisting with laboratory experiments, performing data analysis, shadowing researchers, and presenting your findings at the end of the internship. Typical projects might involve using laboratory techniques, participating in journal clubs, and learning how to communicate scientific information effectively. You will develop practical research skills, critical thinking, teamwork, scientific writing, and public speaking abilities. SciHigh provides a valuable introduction to the environment and methods of world-class biomedical laboratories.
Location:Â Offices across Canada, including Toronto (Bay Adelaide Centre, 333 Bay Street)
Cost/Stipend:Â None | Paid internship plus post-secondary scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly competitive; over 30 scholarships and internships awarded
Dates:Â Six-week summer internship (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline:Â March 7
Eligibility:Â Black high school students in Canada | Grade 12 student in a publicly-funded Canadian high school
In partnership with ICON Talent Partners and the ABEEL Foundation, KPMG’s program supports the advancement of Black high school students by offering both a post-secondary scholarship and a six-week paid summer internship. You will work in a KPMG service line that matches your career interests, gaining exposure to professional environments, business operations, and mentorship from KPMG staff. Beyond the initial internship, you will also get an interview for any future post-secondary internship you apply for at KPMG Canada. The program is designed to empower Black youth, amplify their professional growth, and strengthen diversity within the firm by bringing in fresh perspectives that drive innovation and business success.
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: Applications are open all year round.
Program Dates: Not fixed. Quarter-time internships are available all year round.
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors only | Have taken at least one honors science or honors English class | Minimum GPA of 3.25
The EnergyMag Research Internship is a remote opportunity for high school students interested in analyzing and researching energy storage and renewable energy. It has two types - half-time (20 hrs/week) and quarter-time (8 hrs/week) formats, which provide flexibility across both summer and year-round sessions. You will be engaged in hands-on experience in research, data analysis, and industry reporting of a scientific or business issue. You will research technologies, companies, and markets, often culminating in a publishable report credited to your name. Mentors provide guidance throughout, helping students develop real-world skills in research, professional communication, and writing.
Location:Â Virtual; placements with global organizations
Cost/Stipend:Â Starts around $2,500 USD (varies by length and sector); financial aid available | None
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly competitive | Not specified
Dates: Flexible start dates during the summer; internships typically run 4–24 weeks
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; early application encouraged to secure preferred field
Eligibility:Â Open to high school students (typically ages 16+), university students, and recent graduates
The Intern Group’s Virtual Remote Summer Internships provide students with the chance to gain international work experience from home. As an intern, you’ll be matched to a company based on your interests, whether in business, law, engineering, marketing, or other sectors, and work on real projects with professional supervision. The program includes a structured schedule with virtual career advancement workshops, networking events, and personal career coaching. By completing a project-based internship and building a portfolio of deliverables, you’ll develop remote collaboration skills and global industry connections that can strengthen future university applications and career plans. You will also receive a Certificate of Completion.
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.
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