15 IT Internships for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 6 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a high school student interested in IT, there’s a good chance you’ve already spent time exploring how computers, networks, and software work. But figuring out if this is something you’d want to study in college or turn into a job is a different thing altogether. That’s where internships come in.
An IT internship is a solid way to see what people actually do in IT roles, whether it’s managing servers, writing code, or working with cybersecurity systems. These internships give you hands-on experience working with professionals on technical projects, whether you’re interested in AI, coding, cybersecurity, or data science.
Also, when it comes time for college applications, programs like these give you a clear story to tell. Admissions officers are always looking for students who’ve tested their interests in hands-on environments.
To help you find the right option, we’ve curated a list of 15 IT internships for high school students! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 IT Internships for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. The Summer Cohort II deadline is June 23
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work 10–20 hours a week
Ladder Internships connects high school students with high-growth startups across industries like AI, machine learning, deep tech, and health tech in a fully remote setting. Over 8–12 weeks, you’ll work 10–20 hours per week on real-world projects with meaningful impacts.
You’ll get personalized mentorship from startup founders, engineers, and your assigned Ladder Coach while developing practical skills in areas like AI model development, product design, data analysis, and software engineering. At the end of the internship, you’ll present your final project to the company.
Location: NASA centers nationwide/virtual
Cost: No cost; stipends may be awarded based on academic level and session duration
Dates: Spring: Mid-January – Early May; Summer: Late May/Early June – August; Fall: Late August/Early September – Mid-December
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old at the time of application, have a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), and are U.S. citizens
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers paid IT internships for high school students interested in space, science, or tech. You can work on NASA projects related to AI, aerospace, or data systems, either full-time or part-time. These internships take place at NASA centers across the country.
You’ll be matched with mentors who could be scientists, engineers, writers, or IT professionals. You’ll learn how to solve technical problems, get hands-on research experience, and work in teams with experts from different fields. Projects depend on the session and location, but all give you practical skills and exposure to NASA’s work.
Location: NIH campus, Bethesda, MD
Cost: None, interns are paid a stipend
Dates: Flexible start and end dates, but typically 8–12 weeks starting in June
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: U.S. citizen or resident, 18+, senior in high school or college, 3.2 GPA, with coursework in CS or related fields.
The NLM Data Science and Informatics Scholars Program is a full-time, paid summer internship for high school seniors and college students interested in applying computer science and data skills to biomedical research. You’ll work 40 hours a week on projects in areas like data science, computational biology, and informatics.
You’ll be paired with a mentor from the NLM’s Division of Intramural Research and contribute to projects that may involve machine learning, health data modeling, or algorithm development. The program also includes seminars and professional development workshops. At the end, you present your project at two formal NIH poster sessions.
Location: Various Meta offices
Cost: No cost; a stipend may be provided
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City, with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
The Meta Summer Academy (MSA) is a six-week program designed to give high school students firsthand experience in the tech industry. As an intern, you’ll explore a range of fields like coding, data science, social technologies, and media, while working on complex projects and engaging with Meta employees across departments. Through orientation, hands-on projects, and weekly workshops, you’ll build both technical and soft skills, including programming, public speaking, networking, and financial literacy.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee (financial aid available)
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old by the start of the program, who have prior math/computer programming skills or experience with a healthcare project. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) offers a two-week virtual Summer Research Internship designed for high school students with strong technical skills and an interest in applying AI to healthcare challenges. You’ll explore how artificial intelligence is used to improve medical diagnostics, treatment, and health equity through a mix of lectures, group work, and independent research. You will also engage in project-based learning with minimal guidance, attend virtual talks from experts in academia and industry, and receive mentorship from Stanford researchers and students.
Location: Microsoft campuses in Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA
Cost: Stipend of $20/hour
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors with an interest in technology who live around Redmond, Washington, or Atlanta, Georgia
The Microsoft High School Discovery Program is a paid, full-time, four-week summer tech internship for high school seniors living near Redmond, Washington. You’ll work in teams on product development projects and learn about roles like software engineering, UX design, and product management. You’ll get mentorship from Microsoft engineers, attend coding workshops, and build skills in programming and problem-solving. The program also includes career sessions and exposure to Microsoft technologies like cloud and AI.
Location: NIST campuses at Boulder, CO, and Gaithersburg, MD
Cost: None
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA and a demonstrated interest in scientific research. Students must be U.S. citizens.
The Summer High School Intern Program is an eight-week educational internship that allows you to work alongside researchers at one of NIST’s campuses. You’ll contribute to projects in one of six specialized laboratories, including the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), where you’ll focus on areas like cybersecurity, machine learning, and digital forensics. This program offers a strong foundation for students interested in computer science, math, or engineering.
Location: Virtual/George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus (Manassas, VA), the Potomac Science Center (Woodbridge Campus), or the Fairfax Campus, VA
Cost: $25 application fee (can be waived based on financial need)
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically in early February
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old (for remote and in-person/hybrid computer labs)
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) offers an eight-week, full-time research experience for high school and undergraduate students interested in STEM. You’ll work one-on-one with faculty mentors on research projects across diverse fields, including machine learning, computer science, bioengineering, and cybersecurity.
By the end of the program, you’ll have strengthened your scientific writing and communication skills, attended forums with STEM professionals, and contributed to real-world research that could potentially lead to publication or conference presentations.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: None
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders living in NYC or Nassau County
Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS) is a hands-on summer program that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of cybersecurity and computer science. You’ll explore key topics like ethical hacking, cryptography, steganography, and digital forensics while learning how data privacy and protection shape the digital world. The program also incorporates communication training through theater-based workshops to help you strengthen soft skills essential for teamwork and problem-solving in tech environments.
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $5,700 for tuition (not including room and board) + $1,000 nonrefundable deposit (applied to tuition) once you commit to your spot. Financial aid is available.
Dates: June 29 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Boston University’s RISE is a 6-week IT internship for high school students looking for practical experience. Under the mentorship of faculty, graduate students, or postdoctoral researchers, you’ll contribute to ongoing projects across fields such as computer science, electrical engineering, biomedical research, and more. Throughout the program, you’ll develop technical and analytical skills through hands-on lab experience while also attending weekly workshops on research ethics, scientific writing, and college preparation. The program culminates in a poster symposium where you'll present your findings.
Location: Virtual/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost: None
Dates: Late June – August 21 (some students may continue their internship into the academic year)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Current or rising high school juniors or seniors who are at least 15 years old with a minimum 2.8 GPA. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Before applying, make sure to check the eligible locations.
The ASPIRE Program at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab is an unpaid summer tech internship for high school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens and live in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area. It runs for 6 to 9 weeks, and you can work up to 40 hours per week. You’ll get matched with an APL mentor and choose a project based on your interests, like coding, data analysis, cybersecurity, AI, or hardware. Some past projects include building tools in Python, testing AI to detect cyber threats, or using cryptography to secure systems. At the end, you create a digital poster to show what you worked on.
Location: Various Sandia National Laboratories
Cost: None; interns will receive hourly pay
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Varies, check the website for information on specific internships
Eligibility: Students applying for Research and Development (R&D), Technical, or Business positions need a minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative GPA
Sandia National Laboratories offers paid tech internships for high school students where they work on real research and development projects in areas like cybersecurity, machine learning, data analysis, and secure software design. You’ll join a technical team and help solve national security problems using advanced tools and technologies. You’ll get mentorship from Sandia engineers and scientists, attend training sessions, and build skills in programming, systems thinking, and technical communication. Some roles may also offer academic credit or lead to future job opportunities.
Location: Virtual
Cost: None; SIP students may receive a needs-based grant of $300
Dates: Summer Immersion Program - Round 1: July 7 – 18, Round 2: July 28 – August 8 | Pathways: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Current 9th to 11th graders for the SIP, 9th–12th graders for the Pathways program. Applicants must identify as girls or non-binary individuals.
Girls Who Code offers two free, virtual summer options for high school students looking to strengthen their computer science skills and explore tech careers. The Summer Immersion Program is a two-week, instructor-led course focused on game design, where you can learn the fundamentals of computer science, user experience (UX) principles, and iterative design.
The Pathways Program is a six-week, self-paced experience covering areas like cybersecurity, data science, web development, and artificial intelligence. You will explore coding languages like Python, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS while attending live events hosted by industry leaders.
Location: Virtual/Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
Cost: $100 nominal fee; scholarships available
Dates: Typically June 1 – August 6
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in computer science
The Computing for Good Internship at Colorado School of Mines is a 6-week summer program where you work part-time or full-time on tech projects that help local communities. You’ll join a small team led by college mentors and build a project using computer science skills in areas like AI, data science, software development, or cybersecurity. You can design your idea or choose from suggested topics. Along the way, you’ll learn core CS concepts, agile project methods, and how to think about the ethics of technology.
Location: Virtual and in-person in Seattle, WA
Cost: None. A stipend may be provided
Dates: Exact dates vary, but typically 8–10 weeks from June – August
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: Current 9th to 12th graders who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The SPARK Summer Internship is a paid tech program where you work for 8 to 10 weeks on real research projects in AI, machine learning, quantum computing, data engineering, and software development. You choose up to five mentor-led projects and join a small team to solve problems like disease detection, climate data analysis, or building ML pipelines.
You use Python tools and learn skills like neural networks, computer vision, and scientific computing. You work closely with university researchers and industry mentors, and also practice technical writing and research. Some projects run online, others are based near Seattle.
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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