15 Literature Internships for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re in high school and thinking about pursuing English, writing, or literature at an undergraduate or professional level, an internship can help you figure out what that path might actually look like. The literature internships below are not just about reading books or writing essays. You might be reviewing manuscripts, helping with editorial work, organizing archives, or researching for professors or publishers.
A literature internship can also help you build habits that are hard to get just from school: working with deadlines, giving and receiving edits, or learning how stories are shaped before they ever reach readers. You’ll start to understand what it means to be part of the long process behind what ends up in books, magazines, or academic journals.
With that, here are 15 literature internships you can apply to while you’re still in high school! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 Literature Internships for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12), undergraduates, and gap-year students; must commit to 10–20 hours per week
Ladder Internships offers virtual internships for high school students with fast-growing start-ups. In this program, you work for 8 weeks with a start-up in areas like technology, AI/ML, journalism, health, marketing, or consulting. The companies in the program are early-stage and usually have raised over a million dollars. You’ll work on real projects with a company manager and get support from a Ladder Coach. At the end of the internship, you present your work to the team. You can see the full list of internship options here.
Location: Virtual and onsite at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free; You will be eligible for community service hours or internship credit arranged through your school
Dates: June 23 – July 17
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 16 or older with interests in writing, research, exhibition development, and working with peer audiences
This is a four-week hybrid internship for high school students interested in literature, exhibitions, and how public programs are created. You’ll work with the Library of Congress collections, give input as a teen advisor on upcoming exhibitions, and help design youth and family events. You’ll also contribute to developing content for a new learning space at the Library. If you’re interested in literature, this internship can help you see how written works are preserved, presented, and interpreted for public audiences. You’ll get experience working in a major public institution and build skills in communication, research, and planning.
Location: El Segundo, CA (hybrid: onsite three days, remote one day)
Cost/Stipend: Paid at $16.90 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 10th internship cohort
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: High school students who live in Los Angeles or Orange County and can work in the El Segundo office
The Los Angeles Times High School Insider internship allows you to experience journalism, which intersects closely with literature through storytelling, narrative structure, and voice. Over seven weeks, you’ll cover breaking news, write feature stories, and explore multimedia storytelling with mentorship from professional journalists. The internship follows a hybrid model, with three days onsite and one day remote each week, and emphasizes rigorous deadlines and independent initiative. You will receive extensive training and hands-on editorial feedback, sharpening both reporting and writing skills.
Location: Virtual and in-person, Monmouth County, NJ, for Teaching Assistants
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants earn community service hours
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly limited; 8 Teaching Assistants, 10 Editorial Assistants, 10 Interview Project interns
Dates: Training sessions in late June; internships continue throughout the summer
Application Deadline: Early Spring
Eligibility: Open to students ages 15–18; Teaching Assistants must be local to Monmouth County, NJ
Project Write Now Teen Internship Program offers high school students practical experience in teaching, publishing, and journalism. As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll help plan and lead in-person writing lessons for younger students. Editorial Assistants work remotely to create blog and social media content and help run the teen literary magazine Bridge Ink. The Interview Project trains you to conduct interviews and write feature stories, similar to “Humans of New York,” which are published online. You’ll build skills in editing, storytelling, and digital content creation while earning service hours.
Location: Hybrid: online + residential at Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free; all costs, including travel, housing, meals, and program expenses, are covered.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely selective; small cohort of high-achieving students from limited-income backgrounds
Dates: Online workshops begin the week of July 1, with a 10-day residential intensive July 24 – August 3
Application Deadline: Applications open in early December, with a three-round selection process from December to May. Deadline for summer programs is February 28.
Eligibility: High school juniors, U.S.-based, with a minimum 3.5 GPA, from limited-income backgrounds, and interested in journalism; first-generation college students given priority
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program is a free, selective opportunity for high school students interested in writing and reporting. It begins with virtual workshops where you’ll complete readings, write articles, and get college application support from an advisor. The program ends with a 10-day residential session at Princeton, where you’ll stay on campus, visit newsrooms like The New York Times and Bloomberg, report on real events, and publish your work in The Princeton Summer Journal.
Location: Varies by year; typically held at a major U.S. university campus with residential housing.
Cost/Stipend: Free; all costs covered, including airfare, housing, and meals
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; hundreds of applications for a small cohort
Dates: Six-day summer program (exact dates announced each cycle)
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors from across the United States
JCamp is a fully funded six-day residential program run by the Asian American Journalists Association for high school students interested in journalism and media. You’ll attend intensive workshops led by veteran journalists, visit major media outlets, and produce multi-platform news packages for JCamp Live. The program focuses on cross-cultural communication, media ethics, leadership, and storytelling. It also helps you build lasting connections in a field that values diverse voices. All travel, housing, and meal costs are covered, making it accessible regardless of financial background.
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: Completely free; includes tuition, books, room and board, field trips, and additional financial support as needed.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely selective; small seminar cohorts with a rigorous application process
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 15–18); U.S. and international students welcome; program especially encourages applicants from Black, Indigenous, and other underrepresented backgrounds
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a fully funded summer program for high school students focused on college-level study in history, politics, literature, and social analysis. You’ll attend daily three-hour seminars led by university faculty, complete readings, write essays, and take part in discussions. The program also emphasizes community living, where you help make group decisions, plan service projects, and practice transformative justice. TASS includes guest lectures and public speaking sessions, giving you both academic and leadership experience.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; includes mentorship, publication opportunity, and a Letter of Accomplishment.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited slots each cycle
Dates: Half-time internships (2–8 weeks, ~20 hrs/week) available in summer; quarter-time internships (1–9 months, ~8 hrs/week) offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications accepted all year with flexible start dates
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with at least one honors science or English class and a GPA over 3.25; requires a written application and a Skype interview
EnergyMag’s virtual internship program lets high school students explore renewable energy through research, writing, and analysis. You’ll work remotely on focused projects about companies, technologies, or market trends, and write a detailed report with guidance from a mentor. Your final report will be published on EnergyMag’s website with your name credited. This internship can help you develop strong writing and analytical skills while learning how to effectively present technical information. The flexible schedule makes it easier to balance with school, and students who complete the program receive a Letter of Accomplishment.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; support available for securing college credit
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Rolling acceptance
Dates: Indefinite; interns join on a rolling basis with flexible commitment length
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school, college, and graduate students with strong writing skills and interest in politics, public affairs, or digital media
Pasquines offers remote internships for high school students interested in writing, journalism, and political analysis. You’ll contribute articles, support research, and help build digital engagement across the site. This is a hands-on opportunity to refine your writing skills in a real-world publishing environment and gain insight into how newsrooms operate behind the scenes. You’ll be encouraged to pitch your ideas, collaborate with editors, and take initiative in shaping stories. If you’re interested in literature, this internship gives you a way to apply your writing skills in a fast-paced media setting while learning how to communicate clearly on complex topics. You’ll also gain experience with digital publishing tools and learn how public affairs reporting intersects with storytelling.
Location: Willowbrook, IL (hybrid and remote options available)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; portfolio development and potential for freelance work after completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small number of interns per session across editorial, PR, marketing, and video teams
Dates: Three-month internships offered year-round; interns typically work 2–3 days a week, about seven hours per day
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications accepted throughout the year
Eligibility: High school, college, or graduate students studying journalism, English, marketing, public relations, or video; strong writing and social media skills required
Premier Travel Media’s flexible internship gives you a chance to build real experience across editorial writing, digital marketing, public relations, or video production. As an editorial intern, you’ll research and write articles for print and online platforms, with your work published under professional guidance. You can also explore marketing by creating promotional content or joining the video team to produce travel-related media. If you’re focused on literature, the editorial track is a good way to apply your writing in a professional setting. Some interns also get opportunities for local travel or freelance work after the program.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None; fully volunteer-based
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Rolling acceptance
Dates: Volunteer opportunities offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines depending on the position
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–19
The Young Writers Initiative (TYWI) is a youth-led nonprofit that provides an array of opportunities for students to immerse themselves in writing. As a TYWI intern, you might work as an editor polishing young authors’ manuscripts, serve as a beta reader offering critical feedback, or teach writing workshops to peers across the country. These roles give you practical exposure to different parts of the writing and publishing process while connecting you with a vibrant international network of young writers. The fully remote model ensures flexibility, allowing you to contribute on your schedule throughout the year.
Location: Virtual with opportunities for local event participation
Cost/Stipend: None; fully volunteer-based
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective;
Dates: School year commitment, with monthly meetings and regular content contributions
Application Deadline: Rolling applications; apply early for priority consideration
Eligibility: High school students ages 13–18 interested in writing, leadership, and community engagement
GirlSpring’s Springboarders program serves as a dynamic teen advisory board that doubles as an editorial team. As a Springboarder, you’ll submit at least one article, poem, artwork, or quiz each month to be featured on GirlSpring.com, help shape content strategy, and volunteer at community events. You will also meet virtually once a month to brainstorm and plan GirlSpring’s empowering programs. The experience builds leadership, communication, and multimedia skills while offering the chance to serve as a public ambassador for girls’ issues in your school and local community.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None; certified volunteer hours provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Flexible start times and durations; internships posted and updated weekly
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications reviewed continuously
Eligibility: Open to all high school students (grades 9–12)
Interns 4-Good offers flexible, fully remote internships that allow high school students to contribute to nonprofit projects, making it a creative complement to more traditional literature internships for high school students. You can engage in writing-focused roles like blogging, drafting educational content, or helping design classroom curricula. The organization also offers opportunities in social media, graphic design, and tutoring, enabling you to match your internship to your interests and abilities. All hours count toward certified community service, and you’ll report them weekly for official verification.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; includes publication opportunities, letters of recommendation, and promotional support.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Flexible start dates and deadlines; adapted to your schedule
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications accepted throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students with a passion for writing, strong time management, and the ability to communicate via email and Discord
Young Eager Writers (YEW) offers a unique, community-focused internship program tailored for young creatives who want to gain direct experience in the writing industry. As an intern, you’ll collaborate with Desirée Brown, YEW’s executive director, and work on meaningful projects that support youth writing communities. You will have the flexibility to pitch your ideas, helping shape the organization’s growth while building leadership and editorial skills. You’ll also enjoy a variety of benefits, including professional bio help, publication opportunities in the YEW Journal, and free admission to writing conferences.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: $200 monthly stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; limited cohort each season
Dates: Offered three times a year, Autumn (October–January), Spring (February–May), and Summer (June–August)
Application Deadline: Varies by session; typically several months before each term begins
Eligibility: Advanced high school students with exceptional maturity, or more commonly, college students and recent graduates seeking careers in publishing
The Writers House Intern Program (WHIP) stands out as a rigorous, immersive training experience that bridges the gap between literary passion and publishing careers. Over twelve to sixteen weeks, you will complete an “Editorial Bootcamp,” attend seminars and tutorials, and receive personalized career consultations, all while working twenty-four hours a week inside a leading literary agency. The program also includes an 8-week job search workshop that prepares interns to launch successful publishing careers. Graduates of WHIP have gone on to roles in agenting, editorial, publicity, and more at major agencies and publishing houses.
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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