15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Illinois

If you are a high school student in Illinois looking for a productive way to spend your school break, a summer internship in the state is worth considering! 

Summer internships designed for high school students offer some pretty great opportunities to build professional skills, gain some work experience, and boost your academic and career profiles. Whether you are planning a career in medicine, tech, business, the arts, or public service, an internship can offer exposure to the current industry practices, workplace expectations, and mentorship from experienced professionals. 

Internships can also help you develop transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management that will serve you well in college and beyond. A local internship, specifically, is a more accessible option to pursue, both financially and logistically!

To help you find the right opportunities, we have curated a list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Illinois. We have focused on factors like rigor of professional experience, prestige, and opportunities to network with professionals like scientists, artists, engineers, and civic leaders. 

If you're looking for other prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!

1. Ladder Internships

Location: Virtual

Dates: Summer II cohort begins July 14; several other cohorts are available throughout the year

Application deadline: Varies by cohort; June 23 for the Summer II cohort

Eligibility: High school students, gap year students, and undergraduates who can work for 5 to 15 hours per week for 8–12 weeks

Ladder Internships offers virtual opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects with startups and nonprofits across various industries. Here, you will be matched with an organization in a field of choice, which could include healthcare, machine learning and AI, environmental science, journalism, software engineering, technology, and finance, among other areas. As a Ladder intern, you will work on a project that aligns with the needs of your assigned organization and present your work at the end of the internship. You will receive guidance from both your project manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach throughout the program. You will engage in activities that focus on independent problem-solving, collaboration, and making a real-world impact. The internship’s fully remote format gives you the flexibility to engage in professional-level work from the comfort of home.

2. University of Chicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart

Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL; University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL; Northwestern University, Evanston, IL; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL; Rush University, Chicago, IL

Stipend: $3,000 (taxable)

Dates: Mid-June to early August

Application deadline: Applications typically close in January

Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old, residents of Illinois or Lake County, Indiana, and able to commit 40 hours/week

ResearcHStart is a research experience open to just 30 students and hosted across five institutions. Here, you will be placed in research laboratories to explore fields like cancer immunology, bioengineering, and experimental therapeutics. You will work full-time alongside professional researchers, developing lab skills, data analysis, and critical thinking through direct involvement in active research projects. The program offers mentorship, faculty-led lectures, career development workshops, and training in scientific methods. You will also participate in discussions on cancer disparities and emerging medical challenges. The experience concludes with a formal research symposium where you will present your project to scientists, mentors, and family. 

3. Fermilab’s Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)

Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL

Stipend: $500/week + transportation assistance available

Dates: July 14 – August 8

Application deadline: March 15; applications open on January 15

Eligibility: High school seniors who are enrolled in an Illinois school and are U.S. citizens with proof of medical insurance

PRISM is a summer internship offering opportunities to explore STEM through mentorship and lab-based experiences at Fermilab, a national research facility. As an intern, you will get exposure to particle physics, quantum science, artificial intelligence, and engineering design through expert-led lectures, lab-based activities, and guided tours of Fermilab research facilities. Each week, the program focuses on a specific scientific theme to help you explore different STEM fields and careers. Under the mentorship of Fermilab STEM professionals, you will work on a research deliverable that includes an abstract, poster, and a final presentation. 

4. Southern Illinois Healthcare’s High School Summer Internship Program

Location: Various Southern Illinois Healthcare facilities in southern Illinois

Cost: Free + meal cards offered

Dates: June 10 – July 17 or June 12 – July 31, depending on the department

Application deadline: April 14

Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12 and graduating high school seniors

The Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) Summer Internship Program is an opportunity to explore careers in the healthcare field through direct exposure to clinical work and job shadowing. Over the course of six to eight weeks, you will get to shadow professionals in various departments like nursing, radiology, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and laboratory sciences. You can work four- to six-hour shifts, two to three days a week, in your assigned department. During the program, you may get to observe various healthcare processes and professionals, like a respiratory therapist administering treatments, pharmacists verifying medication dosages, or a nurse managing multiple patient needs. The experience can offer insights into healthcare roles, decision-making in high-pressure settings, and patient care dynamics. 

5. University of Chicago Youth Internship Program (YIP)

Location: University of Chicago, Hyde Park, IL

Stipend: Hourly wage paid according to the Chicago minimum wage standard

Dates: June 23 – July 31

Deadline: April 24

Eligibility: Students who are at least 16, Chicago residents, enrolled or graduates from a Chicago public or charter high school, and authorized to work in the US

YIP offers a two-summer paid opportunity for Chicago public and charter high school students to explore careers in STEM. In the summer of Year 1, you will participate in an "earn and learn" model that combines workshops, seminars, guest speaker sessions with STEM professionals, and tours of college campuses and workplaces. This phase focuses on college readiness, leadership development, and exposure to STEM career pathways. In Year 2, you will be placed as an intern in a university department related to health sciences, computer science, or IT services and receive structured mentoring from professionals, as well as access to professional development resources. Your internship tasks could include updating the inventory, shadowing professionals, summarizing research, assisting with scheduling, attending meetings, and taking notes. You will also work on creating and delivering a formal presentation regarding your internship experience.

6. UChicago’s SHE in Oncology

Location: Virtual

Stipend: $500 (taxable)

Dates: Two weeks, typically in the second half of July

Application deadline: TBA

Eligibility: Full-time high school students who are residents of Cook, Lake, Will, DuPage counties (Illinois) or Lake County (Indiana) and are able to commit to the full two-week program 

The SHE in Oncology program is a two-week, virtual summer internship for high school students in the Chicago area who are interested in science, medicine, and cancer research. As a participant, you will explore cancer biology through a combination of genetics-based research and patient case studies. The program includes daily faculty-led lectures, professional panel discussions, career development workshops, and sessions on biomedical pathways and health equity. You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with students from various universities and receive mentorship from experts in cancer research and care. You will also receive a lab kit to engage in experiments from home. 

7. After School Matters Internships

Location: ASM sites across Chicago, including Gallery 37, Gately Park, and the Lutz Center

Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend or hourly wage provided

Dates: June 23 – August 1

Application deadline: Rolling admissions; the window typically opens in April for summer

Eligibility: Students who are 14 to 18 years old residing in Chicago and enrolled in Chicago high schools

After School Matters is a nonprofit that provides teens in Chicago with internships and apprenticeships in fields such as STEM, the arts, and communications. Here, you can find opportunities that match your personal interests and career goals while gaining real-world experience. As a participant, you will work with experienced professionals and receive mentorship while contributing to independent or team-based projects. The program offers opportunities to build professional and personal skills through meaningful work. You’ll also get insights into community engagement and different career pathways. ASM incorporates data analysis to measure its impact, giving interested students a chance to explore program analytics as well.

8. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs @ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Location: Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

Cost/Stipend: Free + housing and meals covered + fellowship payments available ($2,400 stipend for SpHERES participants)

Dates: June 20 – August 1 + online orientation: May 29, June 11, and June 12 | In-person orientation: June 17 and 18

Application deadline: End of March or early April each year

Eligibility: Rising 10th - 12th Graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin

The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs offers high schoolers opportunities to explore research fields such as cancer immunology, neuroscience, quantum mechanics, and bioengineering. Here, you will join a specialized research group—SpHERES, which focuses on medicine and engineering, or GEnYuS, which focuses on computing, physics, aerospace, and engineering. Here, you will work closely with university faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and peers, conducting real research and developing presentations for a final symposium. Alongside research mentorship, you will receive college readiness training and professional development opportunities through seminars on scientific communication, college admissions, and poster preparation. 

9. University of Illinois Summer Science Internship

Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL

Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend paid

Dates: June 9 – August 1

Application deadline: April 1

Eligibility: High school students in the Rockford School District and nearby areas who are at least 16 years old

Each year, the Summer Science Internship introduces five high school students from the Rockford region to careers in biomedical and industrial science through hands-on research experiences. Hosted by the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the College of Medicine Rockford, the program will pair you with a faculty mentor conducting advanced research in areas such as cancer therapy, vaccine development, and drug design. Over two months, you will learn lab techniques, engage in real-time research projects, and gain career readiness through resume-building, interview training, and oral/poster presentation coaching. Mentorship extends beyond the summer, often resulting in letters of recommendation for college and career pathways. With only five spots available each year, the program is highly selective.

10. Argonne National Laboratory’s College Bound Research Program

Location: Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL

Cost/Stipend: $500/week taxable stipend

Dates: June 9 – August 1

Application Deadline: February 28

Eligibility: Graduating seniors who are 18 and U.S. citizens/legal residents who have an unweighted GPA of 3.75+

The College Bound Research program is a full-time, eight-week research opportunity for graduating high school seniors. Here, you will get to work in labs or offices at Argonne and assist scientists and engineers on real research projects. Through this experience, you will gain exposure to the process of scientific discovery and the daily operations of a national laboratory. You will spend 40 hours each week learning from researchers and exploring careers in STEM. 

11. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships 

Location: Multiple U.S. universities and labs, including various sites in Illinois

Stipend: An educational stipend is offered; exact details not specified

Dates: 6 to 10 weeks in the May–August period; dates vary based on the opportunity

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: High school students; additional requirements may vary for each internship 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 Illinois sites offer research opportunities in fields like synthetic biology, civil works, military engineering, and geospatial engineering. Here, you may assist with tasks like assembling a three-electrode electrochemical cell, data analysis, and developing materials with advanced adhesive and optical properties. 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. 

12. Rush Education and Career Hub’s MedSTEM Pathways

Location: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, or partner organization offices in IL

Stipend: Not specified

Dates: June 16 – August 1 + additional/optional fall and spring sessions open to summer participants

Application deadline: February 28

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who have a minimum 2.5 weighted GPA and 80% attendance record; applicants should be Chicago residents

MedSTEM Pathways is a paid, six-week summer internship for rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates. Here, you will intern at the Rush University Medical Center or partner organizations and engage in work aligned with your career interests. You may find opportunities in various areas, ranging from medicine and research to IT, finance, and allied health. Additionally, you will attend sessions on college readiness, life skills, and professional certifications. You can also earn industry-recognized credentials such as ECG technician, CNA, or IT specialist. You will spend up to 12 hours a week interning and 8 to 12 hours on certification or career-interest classes. 

13. Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars (CHESS)

Location: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL

Stipend: $3,000

Dates: June 16 – August 8

Application deadline: January 20

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors from backgrounds underrepresented in science and healthcare

The CHESS program is an eight-week paid research opportunity hosted by the University of Illinois Cancer Center and the University of Illinois Chicago’s (UIC) Urban Health Program. Here, you will work in a UIC faculty lab on an independent research project. In the process, you will gain hands-on experience in cancer research fields like molecular biology, computational science, and biostatistics. Additionally, you will attend workshops and lectures covering academic, research, and professional skill development. The program ends with a research symposium where you will present your findings.

14. Digital Scholars Program

Location: IL Tech Law Center, Chicago, IL

Cost: Free; CTA transit pass available for students with financial need

Dates: June 23 – August 1

Application deadline: May 2; applications open on February 28

Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th grade students and graduating seniors 

The Digital Scholars Program is a free, six-week opportunity to build computing skills. Here, you can choose from five courses: data science; computer science and coding; electrical and computer engineering; iOS app design; or programming in Swift. Each course offers college-level instruction, projects, and skill development relevant to emerging tech fields. You will attend daily guest speaker sessions offered by Chicago’s tech community, followed by classroom instruction and collaborative learning. On Fridays, you will engage in workshops on machine learning, entrepreneurship, and career readiness and attend presentations by tech incubators. The program also offers exposure to real tech environments and opportunities to present work, connect with professionals, and visit innovation hubs. Following the program, you may be invited back for short-term employment to support other youth programs, offering you continued engagement beyond the summer.

15. Northwestern University’s Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program

Location: Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

Stipend: Paid

Dates: June 23 – August 1

Application deadline: January 26

Eligibility: High school juniors who are 16 or older

The Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program is a six-week internship meant for high school students interested in pursuing careers in biological sciences. Offered by the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, the program combines intensive research training with support for academic and professional development. Here, you will work 1-on-1 with a Northwestern faculty member on a clinical research project and gain work experience in a laboratory setting. The program also offers workshops and seminars covering scientific career options and research methodologies. You will end your research experience with a presentation at the Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Symposium.

One other option—Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you want to pursue independent research under the guidance of a mentor, consider applying to Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective high school programs founded in partnership with Harvard and Oxford researchers. In the past, 4,000+ students applied for just 500 spots in the research program. You can learn about the application and available programs on 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, it 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 in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop a research paper.

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