15 Internships for High School Students in Tucson, AZ
- Stephen Turban
- 18 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you're a high school student in Tucson, Arizona, interested in exploring career paths and gaining practical experience, internships can be a valuable option.
High school internships allow you to step outside the classroom and develop important skills like communication, organization, and time management. These experiences can help you better understand your interests and strengths, which is especially useful when thinking about college majors or future careers. In Tucson, internship opportunities span a range of fields, such as healthcare, environmental science, research, business, and more. Many programs include hands-on tasks like research assistance, fieldwork, or office support, and some may also offer mentorship from professionals or stipends for your work.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve curated a list of 15 internships for high school students in Tucson. Each program was selected based on the quality of experience, learning outcomes, and potential for future growth.
If you’re looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 Internships for High School Students in Tucson, AZ
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple cohorts (summer, winter, fall, and spring) throughout the year.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the chosen cohort; the upcoming summer cohort’s application window closes on June 23
Eligibility: High school students, gap year students, and undergraduates who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships, an initiative developed by Harvard graduates, offers high school students the opportunity to participate in virtual internships with startups and nonprofit organizations around the world. The startups here typically have secured significant funding, often over one million dollars. Many of these companies are led by founders with experience at well-known organizations like Microsoft, Google, Facebook, or have participated in programs like YCombinator. During the program, you will be involved in tasks such as collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, and receive valuable guidance to help you develop communication, time management, and other practical skills. You will be supported by both a manager associated with the given organization and a Ladder coach throughout the internship. You will also get to present your work to the startup. You can learn about the available opportunities and areas on the application form.
Location: BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Free + financial aid/resources offered to cover associated program costs like charges for the University of Arizona’s CatCard, parking permit, transportation, and meals
Application deadline: December 13; application window opens on November 1
Program dates: June 2 – July 18
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old at the start of the internship and have at least one year of Arizona residency
The KEYS (Keep Engaging Youth in Science) Research Internship offers an opportunity to get some experience in fields such as bioscience, biostatistics, biomedical science, biomedical engineering, data science, and environmental health. The seven-week summer program provides research-based practical training in biotechnology, science communication, ethics, and literacy. Admission is competitive, with approximately 13–16% of applicants accepted in the most recent cohort. The internship starts with a week-long training on key bioscience and data techniques, after which you will be paired with a University of Arizona researcher and work on an interdisciplinary project. With guidance from faculty, university students, and lab staff, you will contribute to ongoing research. The program ends with a presentation event where you share your work with peers and the academic community.
Location: Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $100; scholarships are available for all participants
Dates: The internship runs for an academic year, starting in May
Application deadline: January 31; the application window opens on December 1
Eligibility: High school students between 13 and 17
The Hand in Paw Youth Internship Program is designed for high school students interested in engaging in animal welfare and mentoring younger children. This internship offers volunteer-like experience. As an intern, you will commit to volunteering at least three events or shifts each semester with the HSSA Education Department over the course of one year. Your duties may include assisting with presentations and activities such as summer camps and kids club events, helping with shelter tours, and guiding children through educational programs and crafts. You will also support various office tasks during the program.
Location: Various locations in Pima County/Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns will be paid hourly wages
Application deadline: March 31
Program dates: June 2 – 27
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 14 and 21
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) offers summer work experiences to students interested in developing professional skills and exploring career options. Managed by Pima County Community and Workforce Development, the program connects participants with internships throughout the county while also supporting their secondary education. The program also offers assistance with career planning, goal setting, and skill development. During the program, you’ll be placed at local businesses or organizations, gaining hands-on experience while earning an hourly wage. You will work under supervisors who consistently undergo training on workplace expectations and labor laws to support your experience. SYEP can provide you with practical work exposure and guidance to help you build confidence and prepare for future employment.
Location: Pima County Public Library, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend
Application deadline: Open enrollment; you can apply via this form and submit it to the library branch where you’d like to volunteer
Program dates: Vary based on availability of opportunities
Eligibility: High school students who are 14–17 years old
If you’re looking for something to do over the summer or after school in Tucson, volunteering at Pima County’s Public Library is an option to consider. This program offers opportunities to collaborate with other teen volunteers and librarian mentors on various projects. As a library volunteer, you may assist with tasks like organizing books, helping with events and programs, supporting younger visitors during activities, and shelving and maintaining library materials. This experience can help you develop teamwork and communication skills while contributing to a local public resource. While not an internship, the program offers hands-on work experience and opportunities to build handy work skills.
Location: Various locations in Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: No cost; participants get paid for 120 or 300 hours of work
Application deadline: TBA
Program dates: Variable based on employment role.
Eligibility: Students who are enrolled in high school or college and are 14–21 years old
Goodwill Youth Programs in Tucson offer paid work experience opportunities to students through partnerships with local employers. Supported by Arizona@Work One-Stop and Pima County, the Youth Employment Program places participants in different roles during the summer or after school. During the program, you will undergo job training and gain hands-on work experience. Past employer-partners have included organizations like Saavi, Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Reid Park Zoo. The program is designed to help you develop skills that can support future job opportunities in various fields.
Location: Program/event sites in Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend
Application deadline: Open enrollment
Program dates: Vary based on availability of opportunities
Eligibility: High school students in Tucson
Volunteer opportunities offered by SARSEF are meant for students interested in supporting STEM education, particularly among underrepresented groups and Title 1 schools in Tucson. As a volunteer, you may help with event logistics such as setting up or taking down equipment, managing registration tables, guiding attendees, proctoring virtual interviews, and/or reviewing projects for safety. Opportunities are available throughout the year at events like the SARSEF Science and Engineering Fair, AZ JSHS, Racing the Sun, ACES Camp, and AZ STEM Adventure. You may also get to organize materials for special projects and activities, help with office administration, deliveries to schools, and other activities both physical and virtualVolunteering with SARSEF gives you a chance to contribute to STEM outreach efforts while gaining experience in event coordination and community engagement.
Location: SEMA Foundation Tucson branch, Tucson, AZ
Cost/stipend: No cost or stipend.
Application deadline: Open enrollment
Program dates: Typically during the summer
Eligibility: High school students in Tucson
The Sema Foundation’s Volunteer Program provides high school students in Tucson with opportunities to support community-focused projects both at the foundation’s facilities and in the field. As a volunteer, you may help with organizing events, supporting educational or cultural programs, assisting with community outreach, or providing general administrative support. While not an internship, the volunteering experience can help you develop teamwork and communication skills. You will also get some insights into the inner workings and role of nonprofits in serving diverse populations. The program is designed to be flexible, offering multiple ways to get involved based on your interests and availability.
Location: Banner UMC South Campus (in the hospital and surrounding locations) or University of Arizona campus/Banner Tucson Campus and surrounding locations in Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: No cost; internships are unpaid | Students using Empowerment Scholarships or private school tax credits must pay tuition due to state law
Application deadline: Not specified
Program dates: Year-long program; dates not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have completed at least 9th grade, are under 22, and reside in Pima County, Nogales, Rio Rico, or Mammoth-San Manuel
Project SEARCH in Tucson offers a year-long internship program for youth with significant developmental disabilities, helping with the transition from school to employment. The program is based entirely in a workplace setting, where you will get to build practical skills through hands-on experience, job training, and career exploration. Over the course of the year, you will complete three 11-week rotations in areas such as food service, retail, logistics, and facilities maintenance. The program also emphasizes developing relationships with coworkers and supervisors to support long-term, competitive employment.
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: None
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the program is full
Program Dates: June 8 – 14
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are enrolled members/descendants of the AI/AN or Native Hawaiian Tribe and have completed chemistry, physics, and Pre-Calculus with at least a C grade
NASEP at the University of Arizona offers summer experiences to students interested in STEM. The program combines cultural, academic, and professional development based on “American Indian Well-Being Model in Higher Education” by Dr. Shawn Secatero. During the program, you will participate in activities that help you build technical and leadership skills, including a field trip to Biosphere II to explore ecological and environmental science. The program also offers hands-on projects such as building a computer, providing you with practical skill development opportunities, as well as exposure to STEM careers. You will also get to network with indigenous professionals from companies like IBM and Raytheon.
Location: Youth On Their Own office, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend
Application deadline: None—open enrollment year-round
Program dates: Vary based on available opportunities
Eligibility: High school students in Tucson
Youth On Their Own (YOTO) offers volunteer opportunities for those interested in supporting high school students experiencing homelessness in Pima County. As a volunteer, you can expect to contribute to efforts that help students stay in school and work toward graduation. Opportunities can vary in terms of the time commitment and responsibilities, and are grouped into three categories: Individual Volunteer Opportunities, Group Volunteer Opportunities, and Busy Bees. Tasks depend on current organizational needs and may include sorting donations, assembling student supplies, or helping with administrative projects. Volunteering with YOTO can be a structured way to support a local cause while gaining experience in a nonprofit setting.
12. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging’s Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $40 application fee + $850 program fee; financial aid is available
Application deadline: February 28
Program dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering grades 9–12 who are over 14 years old | Preference for students with math/programming skills and healthcare project work experience
The Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program for high school students interested in the connection between artificial intelligence and healthcare. During the program, you’ll attend lectures, receive mentorship, and work on collaborative research projects that apply AI to medical problems. You will also get some exposure to technical tasks and research methods as well as develop problem-solving and communication skills. The internship also includes virtual Career Lunch and Learn sessions and guest speaker presentations, allowing you to engage with professionals in the field. This program can help you get practical insights into AI in healthcare and prepare for further studies or careers in both fields.
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost; a limited number of internships come with stipends, but the amount is not specified
Application deadline: Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis!
Program dates: Fall Cohort: September – December | Spring Cohort: February — May | Summer Cohort: June — August
Eligibility: High school students
The Foreign Policy Research Institute offers internships for high school students in three areas: Research, Operations, and Special Events. If you choose the Research internship, you will get to remotely conduct independent research under the guidance of a supervisor and potentially contribute to the FPRI’s Intern Corner. You will work remotely on tasks like collating and summarizing articles, editing program-related articles, analyzing data, and assisting with social media-related activities. You may also help with book projects and various research-related tasks. You will also participate in weekly seminars covering foreign policy and career development.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,380 + $95 application fee
Application deadline: February 24
Program dates: July 28 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors + undergraduate pre-med students who are 16 years of age or older
Stanford’s Clinical Summer Internship offers virtual earning experiences to high school students who are interested in the fields of medicine and healthcare. During the internship, you will attend online lectures and expert-led interactive activity-based sessions to learn techniques like suturing and conducting physical exams. You will also work on medical case studies and make diagnoses, and suggest treatment. At the end of the session, you will engage in a group presentation to discuss your medical case. This experience can offer key insights into medical specialties and opportunities to develop the technical skills required to pursue a career in medicine.
Location: A few virtual opportunities are available for Tucson students
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend may or may not be provided.
Application deadline: May; applications open in March/April.
Program dates: 8 weeks from June to August
Eligibility: High schoolers who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) gives high school students opportunities to explore various interests through full-time internships. During the program, you’ll work on research projects, connect with scholars and professionals, and gain practical experience in the field. You may also assist with tasks such as writing, data analysis, coding, and research. The program is known to offer remote opportunities that high schoolers in Tucson can access. The program also provides a $500 stipend to support your involvement. This opportunity allows you to develop professional skills, learn from community leaders and mentors who are professionals in business and academia/education.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in conducting research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective virtual programs for high school students founded in partnership with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, the program received over 4,000 applications for just 500 spots. You can learn about the available opportunities and research areas on the application form here.
Additionally, you can consider checking out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, which is a nonprofit research initiative designed for talented, low-income students. Last year, we offered full need-based financial aid to 150 students!
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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