15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Washington State
- Stephen Turban
- 12 hours ago
- 12 min read
If you are a high school student in Washington looking to get some hands-on work experience in a field of interest, an internship can be a productive way to spend your summer!
Internships can help you learn beyond the classroom, build professional skills, and explore career paths. As an intern, you will get valuable industry exposure by connecting directly with local professionals, spending time in real workspaces, and engaging in hands-on projects. You will also get to explore your interests and decide if a field is worth pursuing as an academic major or a career. Washington is home to many well-known universities and organizations that offer summer opportunities, allowing you to gain work experience without disrupting your schoolwork.
If you are wondering where to begin, we have curated a list of 15 summer internships for high school students in the state of Washington. We have considered factors like the prestige of the organizations offering the program, the rigor of the professional experience, and fully funded/stipend-based opportunities.Â
Location: Virtual
Application deadline:Â Varies by cohort; June 23 for the Summer II cohort
Program dates:Â Summer II cohort begins July 14; multiple sessions are offered year-round
Eligibility:Â High school students, gap year students, and undergraduates who can work for 5 to 15 hours per week for 8 weeks
Ladder Internships offers virtual internship experiences, where high school students get to contribute to meaningful projects with startups and nonprofits across various industries. Here, you will be matched with organizations in a field of choice, which could include technology, machine learning and AI, environmental science, journalism, software engineering, and finance, among other areas. As an intern, you will take on a project that aligns with the needs of the 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. The program allows you to engage in activities that focus on collaboration, independent problem-solving, and making a real-world impact. The program’s fully remote nature gives you the flexibility to engage in professional-level work from the comfort of home.
Cost/stipend:Â A competitive salary is provided to selected participants
Location:Â Microsoft office in Redmond, WA
Application deadline: To be announced (applications typically open in February)
Program dates: July 7 – August 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors and incoming college first-years who have completed pre-calculus and are affiliated with Microsoft-sponsored organizations; check the FAQs section on the internship page for the complete list of these organizations
The Microsoft Discovery Program is a four-week, in-person summer internship that introduces high school students to the tech industry through hands-on learning and mentorship. Here, you will work in a small team designing a product and gaining early exposure to roles in software engineering, product management, and UX design. The program offers insights into the early stages of product development, like identifying user challenges, brainstorming solutions, and shaping product concepts. You will also collaborate with peers and receive mentorship from Microsoft professionals while developing key workplace skills, including problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. The experience is designed for those with little to no prior technical background, offering an inside look at the tech world in a supportive environment.
Cost/stipend:Â No cost; some projects offer stipends, while others are unpaid
Location:Â Various sites in the Greater Seattle area, WA
Application deadline: Applications typically open in March/April and close in May
Program dates: 8–10 weeks; timelines vary for different projects, but are usually between June and August
Eligibility: High school students who are permanent US residents and reside in the Greater Seattle area
The SPARK SMP offers high school students in the Greater Seattle area the opportunity to work closely with mentors from industry, academia, and the community on hands-on STEM projects. As a summer internship for high school students in Washington, the program provides access to real-world research and mentorship that reflects the growing opportunities in STEM across the region. While applying, you will choose from available mentorship and project options, with past topics including Python scripting, machine learning, data visualization, and explorations of Spiking Neural Networks. If selected, you will get to work on projects that are designed to provide practical experience while encouraging innovation and technical growth. Beyond project work, the program includes resources for professional development, such as college preparation and career guidance in STEM. You will benefit from consistent mentorship, networking opportunities, and insight into real-world careers through collaboration with professionals.
Cost/stipend:Â A $2,000 stipend offered
Location:Â Seattle Children's Research Institute: B. Wayne Hughes Building, Seattle, WA
Application deadline:Â March 9; applications typically open in January each year
Program dates: July 14 – August 8
Eligibility: 10th graders with a Social Security Number who reside within commuting distance of downtown Seattle
The Research Training Program (RTP) at Seattle Children’s Research Institute offers high school students an in-depth introduction to biomedical research through hands-on lab work, lectures, and professional development. As a participant, you will get some hands-on experience with techniques like microscopy, gene editing, immunoassays, and gel electrophoresis, and explore topics such as biochemistry, global health, and infectious diseases. You will work in a lab environment alongside peers, guided by professional researchers and educators. The program also offers workshops on college readiness and career exploration, as well as facility tours. You will also get the opportunity to present an independent research project at the program’s conclusion.
Cost/stipend:Â Students can earn over $5,000 across two years
Location:Â Job Training & Education Center, King County, Seattle, WA
Application deadline:Â Typically in December
Program dates: Two-year internship—Summer commitment: July–August (Monday through Friday); School year commitment: January–June and September–December (two Saturdays a month)
Eligibility:Â High school juniors and seniors
The Goodwill Youth Maritime Program is a two-year paid internship, with summer sessions, designed for high school students in Washington interested in exploring careers in the maritime industry. Through hands-on learning, you will develop both technical and professional skills, such as small-boat sailing, boat maintenance, and repair. The program also emphasizes college and career readiness, offering support with applications, financial literacy, and earning industry certifications like CPR, OSHA, and Food Handlers. In your first year, you will participate in weekend sessions during the school year and full-day summer programming. You will participate in field trips, meet maritime professionals, and gain real-world exposure to the industry. In the second year, while there are no formal classes, you will continue to receive one-on-one support to help you transition to college or employment.
Cost/stipend: A stipend is provided upon successful completion (exact amount not specified)
Location:Â Fred Hutch campus, South Lake Union, Seattle, WA
Application deadline: March 31
Program dates: June 23 – August 15
Eligibility: Students entering 12th grade with strong interests and academic backgrounds in science
Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s SHIP is an eight-week, full-time, paid research experience. This summer internship, designed to support high school students in Washington from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science, provides exposure to real-world lab work, mentorship, and career development. In the first two weeks, you will undergo hands-on training in lab safety and core research techniques, such as pipetting, DNA isolation, and polymerase chain reaction. Over the next six weeks, you will be placed in a research group at Fred Hutch and work under a professional mentor, engaging in activities like preparing lab materials, entering data, and attending team meetings. Seminars and workshops covering ethics, data science, health disparities, biostatistics, and college preparation are also key parts of the experience. You will wrap up the internship by presenting your research to the Fred Hutch community, family, and friends.
Stipend:Â $3,200
Location:Â University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Application deadline: January 1; applications open November 1 each year
Program dates: June 23 – August 15
Eligibility:Â High school students who are at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and have a minimum 3.2 GPA
The Summer Scholars Program at the University of Washington gives high school students an immersive, eight-week experience in neuroscience research. Here, you will be placed in a UW neuroscience lab and get to work alongside researchers and clinicians in areas like neurological surgery, clinical neuroscience, and basic research. In addition to your lab work, you will attend weekly lectures and discussions, Neurological Surgery Grand Rounds, faculty presentations, and resident education sessions. You will also have opportunities to observe neurological surgeries and clinical procedures. At the end of the program, you will present your research project to peers, faculty, and mentors.
Cost/stipend: 16–18-year-olds get $1,750 stipends; 14–15-year-olds are unpaid but receive 120 service learning hours | All interns receive an ORCA transit card and 60+ service hours
Location:Â Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, WA
Application deadline:Â May 23
Program dates: July 7 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18, with a focus on those from underrepresented backgrounds in environmental science
The Youth Summer Internship is a four-week summer program designed for teenagers interested in exploring careers in environmental science, education, and sustainability. As an intern, you will spend the first week developing leadership skills and the next two weeks assisting with summer camps at the Washington Park Arboretum. The final week is dedicated to a deeper dive into environmental careers, offering activities like a campus tour of UW, meetings with university students and professors, and site visits to environmental organizations across the Puget Sound region. You will also meet professionals from a wide range of environmental careers, including government agencies, consulting firms, nonprofits, and community organizations. You will also participate in an environmental project at the Arboretum. This is one of the few summer internships for high school students in Washington State that combines ecological learning, leadership development, and exposure to sustainability-focused professions.
Cost/stipend: $1,200 stipend offered upon internship completion + an additional symposium stipend available + 1 free college credit (worth $630); option to earn 1–2 credits more at a cost of $595 each
Location:Â Washington State University campus at Pullman, WA (multiple agriculture-focused research projects) or Spokane, WA (nutrition and food science-focused project)
Application deadline:Â April 18
Program dates:Â Exact dates TBA; you can expect a full-time summer commitment
Eligibility: 9th–12th graders who reside in the U.S. and have a minimum 3.5 GPA
The Soil to Society Summer Research Program offers high school students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in agricultural and human health research. Over the course of 200–240 hours, you will work with a research team at Washington State University (WSU), contributing to active projects that explore the connections between soil, crops, nutrition, and human health. As an intern, you will develop scientific thinking and communication skills, learn about research ethics, and pick up lab skills while collaborating on real-world research. Projects vary by site and may include improving the nutritional quality of crops, studying protein content in legumes, or examining the impact of food on mitochondrial function. During the program, you will write a two-page research abstract and present your work at a poster symposium.
Cost/stipend:Â $20/hour
Location:Â An assigned meeting point in Downtown Seattle, WA
Application deadline: April 21
Program dates: July 7 – August 7
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by July 7
The Clean Water Ambassadors Internship is a five-week paid summer program offering high school students the opportunity to explore careers in clean water and environmental fields through hands-on learning, workshops, and field trips. Offered by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division in partnership with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, the program is designed for students new to environmental topics and from underrepresented backgrounds. As an intern, you will learn about clean water systems and environmental justice and build public speaking and communication skills. You will also get to engage with professionals working in community engagement, environmental education, engineering, and science. The program offers a mix of classroom sessions and field experiences and concludes with a presentation.
Cost/stipend:Â $20.76/hour + transit expenses covered
Location:Â Open Studio, Seattle, WA
Application deadline:Â May 1
Dates: July 28 – August 22
Eligibility:Â High school students who have completed 11th or 12th grade
If you are interested in exploring the fields of architecture and design, this four-week, paid internship at The Miller Hull Partnership offers a chance to explore the field in a professional setting. As an intern, you’ll assist the staff with daily office tasks, join team meetings, and participate in site visits and press events. You will also get to shadow professionals and take on tasks that involve research, problem solving, and conceptual design. You will also compile your work as an intern in a portfolio, which you will present at the end of the internship. The experience can offer you insights into what it takes to be an architect/designer.
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Location:Â Seattle, WA
Application deadline: Early April (exact date varies by year)
Program dates: Mid-June to August (start dates may vary depending on school schedule)
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and are U.S. citizens or have a legal work permit
Seattle City Light is a public utility that offers eight-week paid summer internships to high schoolers. The program is designed to offer insights into energy production, distribution, and the business of public utilities. As an intern, you will assist the staff with administrative tasks, contribute to real projects, and participate in special training sessions and field visits that help you understand how a public utility operates. The program also offers opportunities to work with mentors and professionals as well as develop workplace skills through workshops and conversations with executive leaders. You will also explore how equity and social justice principles are applied in a professional setting. Toward the end of the internship, you will prepare and present a summary of your experience to colleagues and mentors.
Cost/stipend:Â A stipend is paid
Location:Â Seattle, WA
Application deadline:Â Typically in February
Program dates: May 6 – November 21
Eligibility:Â Individuals who are 18 or older and are legally authorized to work in the U.S. and live in the Greater Seattle Area, or are ready to relocate there by the program start date
KEXP offers hands-on internships in fields of music programming, audio production, nonprofit work, and related fields. As an intern, you will get to work alongside professionals at a community-supported arts organization and gain experience in areas such as audio editing, project management, communication, and database management. The program offers four roles in different areas—Audio Production, Design & Marketing, Latin American Content, and Library & Archives. You will go through the program phases, from orientation to completion, alongside peers part of the same cohort. You will also participate in field trips, connect with mentors, and network with professionals in Seattle’s music and nonprofit industries.
Stipend:Â Paid, amount not specified
Location:Â Various sites associated with the Port of Seattle in Seattle, WA
Application deadline:Â May 18
Program dates: July 1 – August 4
Eligibility:Â High school students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the internship and are legally authorized to work in the U.S.
The Port of Seattle offers a paid internship for high schoolers interested in careers in aviation, maritime, governance, community engagement, or green jobs. Among the summer internships for high school students in Washington State, this one stands out for offering a behind-the-scenes look at public service work and the inner workings of major infrastructure in the region. Here, you will work on real projects that impact the community and develop workplace skills. You will also participate in career development activities such as mentorship meetings, facility tours, and resume workshops. The program is designed to help you build professional skills like project management, communication, leadership, as well as understand diversity and inclusion. You will also get insights into the tools and practices used across the Port’s departments.
Stipend:Â Up to $4,000 based on hours worked
Location:Â In WA, exact sites vary; placements depend on host agency availability
Application deadline: March 7
Program dates: Vary; internships can last up to three months and will be completed before June 30 | You will commit 8–16 hours/week during school and up to 40 hours/week during breaks
Eligibility:Â High school juniors and seniors, as well as undergraduates in their freshman to junior years
The Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans) offers paid internships to high school juniors and seniors interested in infrastructure-related fields such as transportation, engineering, planning, and computer science. You will be matched with a host agency, such as the Washington State Department of Transportation, based on your location, skills, and availability. As an intern, you will get some real-world work experience, build your resume, and receive mentorship from professionals in the field. The program aims to provide hands-on learning and professional guidance. You will also get insights into a public service agency’s operations.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing research, consider checking out Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective virtual programs for high school students. Founded by researchers at Harvard and Oxford, the program previously received over 4,000 student applications for 500 spots! You can find out more about the available program formats and research areas on the application form here.
Additionally, you can 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.
Image Source - SPARK SMP logo