15 Internships for High School Students in Washington State
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a high schooler living in the Washington state area looking for a way to gain early exposure to professional settings and develop practical skills, you should explore local internship opportunities.Â
Why should I intern in high school?
Participating in an internship at a reputed institution can offer industry exposure, opportunities to engage with professionals, help you build a network of connections, and explore potential career paths. They are a solid addition to your resume and will support college applications.
We have curated a list of top internship opportunities in the Washington area. If you're looking for more prestigious opportunities, check out this set of blogs as well!
Here are 15 internships for high school students in Washington State!
Location:Â Microsoft Campus, Redmond, WA
Cost:Â None, this is a paid internship.
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline:Â Applications are typically open in the spring.
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who live within 50 miles of Redmond and are planning to pursue a bachelor's degree.
The Microsoft High School Discovery Program is a paid internship experience for high school seniors interested in a career in technology. The program lasts 4 weeks and only admits graduating high school seniors in the Redmond, Washington region. You’ll gain exposure to the complete product development cycle, participate in hands-on project work, and receive mentorship from Microsoft employees. The program aims to showcase the variety of career paths within the tech industry and offer an inside look a how a global technology leader operates, while helping you build foundational professional and technical skills.
Location:Â Virtual
Dates:Â Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline:Â Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility:Â 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. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location:Â Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost:Â None, this is a paid internship.
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline:Â March 31
Eligibility: Students must be entering 11th or 12th grade and have a strong interest in science.
This competitive, eight-week paid internship is an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical science. The program is specifically designed to support students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the sciences. The first two weeks consist of intensive, hands-on training in laboratory safety and research techniques. For the remaining six weeks, you will be matched with a mentor and immersed in a real research project within a Fred Hutch lab in Seattle. You will also attend professional development workshops focused on college and career readiness, and end the internship with a final presentation of your work.
Location:Â Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
Cost:Â None, interns receive a stipend of $5,000.
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline:Â Usually in March.
Eligibility:Â Must be a current 11th-grade student at the time of application.
The Institute for Systems Biology offers a paid, eight-week summer internship for rising seniors to gain practical experience in a research environment. As an intern, you will work on one of the many projects connected to ISB’s ongoing research under the guidance of a mentor. The program provides a dive into systems biology, allowing you to apply your learning to a specific research question. Beyond the lab, you’ll have the chance to interview ISB professionals, gaining insights into various scientific and administrative career paths within the biomedical field. This internship gives you exposure to subjects like computational biology, microbial interactions, microbial evolution, cancer, systems medicine, and bioengineering.
Location:Â Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Cost:Â None; a stipend of $2,000 is provided
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline:Â March 30
Eligibility:Â Rising high school juniors residing within commuting distance of downtown Seattle
Seattle Children's Research Institute offers rising high school juniors the chance to explore the field of biomedical research in a paid four-week internship program. You will explore topics such as gene editing, immunotherapy, and biochemistry. The program provides hands-on experience with lab techniques like microscopy and immunoassays. You will also attend lectures on biochemistry, immunology, and infectious diseases. Since you’ll be working on an independent research project, you’ll get to experience a real research setting and learn from experts in pediatric health.
Location:Â Port of Seattle facilities, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Pier 69, Seattle, WA.
Cost:Â None, this is a paid internship.
Dates:Â 8-9 weeks, typically from late June to late August.
Application Deadline:Â The application window is generally open from February through March.
Eligibility:Â Open to current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old.
This is a paid summer internship program that provides students with practical, work-based experience in a major public sector organization. The Port of Seattle operates critical infrastructure, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and maritime facilities, offering a glimpse into careers in aviation, trade, logistics, engineering, and public administration. Interns are placed in various departments where they work on projects under the guidance of a professional mentor. The program focuses on professional development, networking, and understanding the Port's role in the regional economy.Â
Location:Â Providence Regional Medical Center, Everett, WA
Cost:Â None
Dates:Â 10 weeks from June through September.
Application Deadline:Â April 24
Eligibility: Students must be at least 14 years old.
Providence’s High School Summer Program offers students the opportunity to engage in hospital and community service. The 10-week program requires 48 hours of volunteer service at the Providence Regional Medical Center. This structure allows you to gain exposure to a clinical environment while developing communication and leadership skills through direct, in-person work with children. If you’re considering a career in healthcare, nursing, or therapy, this program offers you practical experience in a healthcare setting.
Location:Â Port of Seattle facilities, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Pier 69, Seattle, WA.
Cost:Â None, this is a paid internship.
Dates:Â 8-9 weeks, typically from late June to late August.
Application Deadline:Â May 18
Eligibility:Â Open to current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old. Students must reside in King County.
This is a paid summer internship program for high school students that provides experience at a major public sector organization. The Port of Seattle operates critical infrastructure, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and maritime facilities, offering a look into careers in aviation, trade, logistics, engineering, and public administration. As an intern, you will be placed in one of various departments, like aviation, maritime operations, governance, and community engagement, where you will work on a project under the guidance of a professional mentor. The program focuses on professional development, networking, and understanding the Port's role in the regional economy.Â
Location:Â Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
Cost:Â None, this is a paid internship.
Dates:Â Varies by program; some are during the school year, others in the summer.
Application Deadline:Â Typically opens in the winter for summer and fall programs.
Eligibility:Â Must be a high school student. Students under 18 will not be eligible for laboratory work internships.
PNNL offers a range of internship opportunities for high school students at its Richland campus, spanning various areas of scientific research. These programs provide practical experience at a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory. You will get to work alongside professional mentors on projects, attend educational workshops, and take part in lab demonstrations and field trips. Some internships are structured as work-based learning and may allow you to earn school credit. This is an opportunity for students in Eastern Washington to engage in research at a national laboratory. Â
Location:Â The Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA
Cost:Â None
Dates:Â Flexible, with a typical commitment of 8 hours per month.
Application Deadline:Â Rolling applications.
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years of age.
For high school students interested in aviation, aerospace, and historic conservation, volunteering at The Museum of Flight offers an opportunity to build experience. While not a formal internship, the youth volunteer program allows you to engage with the museum's mission of education and preservation. As a volunteer, you will assist with educational programs, interact with visitors, and support various museum operations. It’s a chance to develop public speaking skills, work alongside museum experts and enthusiasts, and understand future careers in conservation and aviation.
Location:Â Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA
Cost:Â Varies by program; some are volunteer, others may have a fee.
Dates:Â Varies by program (year-round and summer opportunities).
Application Deadline:Â Varies depending on the specific program.
Eligibility:Â Age requirements vary, but programs are available for high school students.
The Woodland Park Zoo provides several programs for teens interested in conservation, animal care, and environmental education. These opportunities range from volunteer positions to more structured learning experiences. You can get involved in public engagement, assist with educational camps, or participate in conservation-focused projects. It provides a hands-on way to learn about zoology, wildlife biology, and the operations of a large-scale conservation organization, while developing skills in conservation.
Location:Â Seattle Aquarium, Seattle, WA
Cost:Â None
Dates:Â Summer session is from late June to early September, while the school year session is in January
Application Deadline:Â April for the summer session, October for the school year session
Eligibility:Â Open to students in grades 9-12.
The Youth Ocean Advocates program at the Seattle Aquarium is a volunteer opportunity for teens passionate about marine conservation. You will receive training on marine science and local conservation issues, then apply that knowledge by engaging with aquarium visitors through interpretive presentations and hands-on activities. This program is an opportunity to develop communication, leadership, and science communication skills while contributing to public awareness of ocean health.
Location:Â Washington State Capitol, Olympia, WA
Cost: None, you’ll receive a stipend of $65 per day.
Dates:Â One-week sessions during the legislative session (January-April).
Application Deadline:Â Applications are typically due in the fall.
Eligibility: Must be at least 14 years old and have not yet reached your 17th birthday.
This is a civic engagement opportunity for high school students in Washington. For one week, you will get to serve as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives or Senate in Olympia. Pages assist legislators and staff by delivering messages, distributing materials, and performing duties on the chamber floor. You will also get the opportunity to attend Page School to learn about the legislative process. It is an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at the state government in action, providing you with an up-front view of how civic government works. The program provides a daily stipend for participants.
Location:Â Various King County Metro facilities, Seattle, WA, and surrounding areas.
Cost:Â None, this is a paid internship.
Dates:Â Typically offered in the summer.
Application Deadline:Â Applications usually open in the winter or spring.
Eligibility:Â Open to high school students.
King County Metro offers valuable internship experiences in public transportation, urban planning, and engineering. These roles provide a chance to understand the operations of a major public transit agency. Your work as an intern will contribute to projects that impact the community directly, and you can apply to whichever department you are most interested in. This is a paid opportunity that offers practical experience in the public sector. It’s an opportunity for high school students in Washington State looking to explore careers in public service.
Location:Â Various non-profits in the Puget Sound region, WA.
Cost:Â None, interns are paid a stipend.
Dates:Â 6-8 weeks during the months of June to August.
Application Deadline:Â Typically in early spring.
Eligibility:Â Must be 15-19 years old and currently enrolled in high school.
TIPS offers paid summer internships at nonprofit organizations for motivated high school students throughout the Puget Sound area. This program provides a diverse range of experiences, as interns are placed with organizations focused on areas ranging from social justice and environmental issues to arts and education. TIPS provides a supportive framework, including a summer kickoff, workshops, and a celebration at the end of the summer. It's an opportunity to explore your interest in community service while gaining professional skills.
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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