15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Dallas, TX
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 18
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 18
If you are a high school student in Dallas, TX, looking for a productive way to spend your summer break, internships in the city can be a great way to get started!
Internships can provide you with early exposure to the professional world and a specific field of interest. Whether you are interested in healthcare, law, technology, business, or the arts, Dallas is home to universities and organizations that offer internships each year! These internships are a great way to build an advanced skillset, explore career paths, and make meaningful connections with professionals in the city.
These internships can also help you assess your interests, set future goals, and boost your college applications and resume. Many of these programs, specifically online internships, are designed to be accessible and affordable. Some of them even offer stipends to recognize and reward your time and effort.
Here we have curated a list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Dallas, TX. To help you choose the right options, we have focused on three key factors: the prestige of the host organizations, the rigor of the professional experience offered, and the opportunities to network with mentors and industry leaders.
If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
Location: Virtual
Dates: Several cohorts run every year, including summer cohorts that typically begin in June/July
Application deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; the upcoming summer deadline is June 23.
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 5-10 hours/week for 8 to 12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective online program offering students hands-on experience across fields with high-growth start-ups. These organizations have typically secured $1 million in funding, and they operate in diverse areas like marketing, journalism, finance, tech, AI and machine learning, health tech, and consulting. The program runs for at least eight weeks, during which you will work on real projects, get guidance from company managers and a Ladder Coach, and present your final work. This project-based approach can help you build practical skills and experience that colleges and employers value. You can learn about available opportunities and internship areas through the application form.
Location: Dallas Bar Association, Dallas, TX
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Session 1: June 9 – July 3 | Session 2: July 7 – August 1 | Full Session: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Dallas Independent School District high school juniors who have an academic average of 85 or above, less than or equal to 10 absences, and an interest in studying law
The Summer Law Intern Program offers paid summer internships to high school juniors, placing them in law firms, nonprofits, and corporate legal departments for durations of four or eight weeks. This program is designed to familiarize you with the expectations of a professional office environment, encourage self-assurance, and promote the development of professional conduct. You will have the opportunity to participate in educational programs and tours of courthouses and college campuses organized by the Dallas Bar. You will be required to commit to the entire duration of your placement, with full-time or part-time schedules as determined by the employer. The internship includes orientation sessions, educational activities, and a concluding reception.
Location: Corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies in Dallas, TX
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application deadline: April 28
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 – 21 years old and currently enrolled in Dallas College, Dallas Independent School District, or University of North Texas at Dallas; applicants must reside in Dallas County and attend workshops across all three Career Ready Pathway categories
The Dallas Works Internship Program places high school students in paid roles across corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies in Dallas. To qualify, you must complete the Dallas Works Internship Prep Bootcamp, which includes pre-internship training and professional development. Up to 175 students will be selected for the Bootcamp after completing the required Career Ready Workshops. The Bootcamp prepares you for an internship through hands-on training and group activities led by staff, peers, and corporate volunteers. After being placed, you will receive ongoing support from Dallas Works staff, supervisors, internship coaches, and peer mentors to ensure you have a smooth internship experience.
Location: Parkland Health, Dallas, TX
Stipend: $18.25/hour
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors who attend a public high school in Dallas-Fort Worth, are at least 16 years of age prior to the start date, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Parkland Workforce Development High School Summer Internship Program offers Dallas high school students an introduction to the various career paths and job opportunities within the healthcare sector. During the program, you will work up to 20 hours a week, gaining practical exposure to a professional, non-clinical setting. You will work in your assigned health department and get to observe the daily operations of Parkland Health. The program can offer you insights into the lives of healthcare providers as well as various health-adjacent roles.
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application deadline: January 20; applications open on November 22
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old by June 1
The STARS, an initiative offered by UT Southwestern Medical Center, offers a series of programs and resources to students and teachers interested in science. The Summer Research Opportunities is an eight-week, non-residential program offering high school students the chance to conduct biomedical research alongside a faculty mentor. Here, you will work on a project, earn a stipend, and present your research findings at the program’s conclusion at UT Southwestern as well as at your school. The program focuses solely on research, offering you a chance to familiarize yourself with a modern biomedical research laboratory.
Location: Multiple Texas sites, including the University of Texas at Dallas, TX
Stipend: An educational stipend offered; exact details disclosed following selection
Eligibility: High school students; additional requirements may vary for each AEOP internship opportunity
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Program dates: 6 to 10 weeks in the May–August period; dates vary based on the opportunity
AEOP’s Internships are Army-sponsored research-based opportunities for high schoolers interested in STEM fields. If selected, you will work on research under the guidance and supervision of a university researcher or a Department of Defence scientist. You may be assigned tasks like experimentation, data collection, analysis, and comparison of data sets. The Dallas site specifically involves tasks like developing an experimental database that measures the effects of sand particles on flow statistics over a model rotor blade. Here, you may also work on a theoretical framework to identify the key-dimensional parameters that govern particle-blade interactions. During the program, you will participate in workshops, online tutorials, webinars, and learning materials to develop professional skills and become better equipped for future STEM academics.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free!
Dates: Two weeks in June; dates not specified
Application deadline: Early February; applications open late September
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th grade students
The Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship is a two-week summer opportunity to explore the diverse career paths in mental health. The internship is led by a variety of mental health clinician-scientists, including licensed clinical social workers, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and psychiatrists. Here, you will work with topical readings from curated materials, which include both mass media and scientific journals, and attend interactive online sessions. You will gain insights into the extensive range of professions in mental health, such as psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, and community psychiatry. You will also learn about the daily work of mental health professionals.
Location: National Breast Cancer Foundation, Frisco, TX (25 minutes away from Dallas, TX)
Cost: Free!
Dates: A month in the summer; dates not specified
Application deadline: March 21
Eligibility: High school students in the Frisco Independent School District
Through its High School Internship Program, the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) offers students the opportunity to gain insights into the nonprofit sector and observe how different departments collaborate to advance the foundation’s mission. During the initial two weeks, you will work in the Programs, Development, and Marketing departments to understand the daily operations of NBCF. Additionally, you will attend weekly sessions to refine professional skills like resume writing, interview techniques, public speaking, and other essential workplace competencies. In the final three weeks, you will participate in a group project and present it to senior leadership.
Location: Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas, Dallas, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Starts on June 10 and ends in August (dates TBA)
Application deadline: February 24; applications open on December 23
Eligibility: High school students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year in a Dallas-area school; applicants must be 16 years old by June 1
Jewish Family Service offers you the opportunity to work with a Dallas-area nonprofit through its 180-hour summer internship. The program offers practical learning, essential training, and significant experiences, helping you understand nonprofit agencies and their missions. Throughout this experience, you will gain insights into job and college readiness with support from professional coaches, explore different roles within nonprofit organizations, and enhance personal communication skills. You will also get to deepen your understanding of the clients served by each host agency and acquire valuable hands-on training. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate and the President’s Volunteer Service Award, recognizing your contributions toward the Dallas community.
Location: Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, TX.
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend
Dates: Starts on June 2; students are required to volunteer a total of 16 hours per week from June to August
Application deadline: February 2; applications open on January 6
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 16 years old on or before May 1 of the participating summer
The High School Student Service Learning Program is a chance to volunteer in both clinical and non-clinical departments of Texas Health Hospital during the summer. Admission to this program is highly selective, with over 200 applicants each year and only about 20 students chosen to participate. If selected, you will gain insights into a range of healthcare professions and observe the clinical and administrative functions of a hospital setting. Volunteer shifts are scheduled Monday through Friday. You will work with hospital staff, assisting them with various tasks and learning about providing health services in the process.
Location: Nasher Sculpture Center and The Warehouse Dallas, Dallas, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; a transportation stipend offered
Dates: June 9 – 13
Application deadline: April 29
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9
The Summer Institute for Teens is a week-long work-learn program designed for creative high school students interested in exploring the art world and museum practices. Unlike a technical training or portfolio development workshop, the program focuses on encouraging idea exchange and peer engagement to explore new ideas. Enrollment is limited to 30 students. If selected, you will gain exposure to careers in the arts through interactions with professionals and create hands-on projects inspired by themes in modern and contemporary art. Additionally, you will explore artworks at The Warehouse and the Nasher Sculpture Center.
Location: The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost: $1,000; need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: No information available
Eligibility: High school students who will be 16 years or older by June 9
UT Dallas provides high school students with various summer opportunities to develop coding skills and explore emerging technologies. Its research internship is a selective program offering exposure to lab work. Here, you will be expected to commit 20–40 hours per week, depending on the lab and project, which may include research, simulations, or app development. You may also take on tasks like working with research papers, conducting simulations, or developing an app. For your contributions, you will receive a completion certificate, an experience letter, and a program T-shirt. Outstanding students may request a recommendation letter, and the top three research projects or presentations will receive special recognition and awards.
Location: Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free program; unpaid volunteer opportunity
Dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified, but applications open in March.
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older
ConnecTEEN is a summer volunteer work-learn program for students interested in community service and STEM engagement. As a participant, you will facilitate hands-on activities in the Perot Museum’s permanent exhibit halls, gaining exposure to STEM careers and developing leadership, communication, and workforce readiness skills. While not an internship, the program offers hands-on experiences and career insights. You will get to play a vital role in supporting educational programs, inspiring curiosity, and making science accessible to all visitors. On completing 70 hours of service, you will receive a complimentary museum membership.
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
Cost: Free!
Dates: Biology Camp: June 5 – 13 | Anatomy and Physiology: June 5 – 13 | Chemistry Camp: July 10 – 18 | Physics Camp: July 10 – 18 | Biotechnology: June 24 – July 2
Application deadline: No information available
Eligibility: High school students; specific eligibility for each camp can be found here. Preference is given to students in the Dallas ISD or neighborhoods surrounding UT Southwestern.
The STARS Summer Science Camps offer students a head start in preparation for the corresponding science classes they will undertake in the upcoming academic year. Each camp is highly competitive and accommodates only 30 students, with specific locations being communicated to those selected to attend. The camps feature a combination of laboratory work and classroom activities, along with lectures and tours led by staff and faculty from UT Southwestern. Programs are available in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, and biotechnology. While not an internship, these free camps offer hands-on learning opportunities in STEM, making them worth considering.
Location: Sci-Tech Discovery Center, Frisco, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; unpaid
Dates: June 7 – August 30
Application deadline: May 2; applications open on April 4
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 – 19 years
The Maker Studio Internship is a volunteer opportunity for high school students interested in getting hands-on learning opportunities at the Sci-Tech Discovery Center museum. The program activities focus on technology and maker-based science applications. You will primarily assist with weekend STEAM programming in the Maker Studio, engaging visitors in interactive activities. Prior to beginning, you will attend a mandatory training session and offer a commitment to work a minimum of 40 hours during the internship. The internship offers professional experience, skill development in technology and facilitation, supervision with increasing autonomy, and access to recommendation letters and community networking opportunities.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in conducting independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective online high school programs for students founded in partnership with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, more than 4,000 students applied for just 500 spots! You can find the application form here.
Also, you can check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation—a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we offered 150 students full need-based financial assistance.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.
Image Source - Ladder Internships logo