15 Summer Internships in Boston for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 18
- 13 min read
If you are a high school student in Boston looking for a way to get some hands-on experience this summer, an internship in the city is worth considering!
Summer internships can offer opportunities for professional development and skill-building, helping you work on time management, leadership, teamwork, and communication. The internship experience can also help you explore an area of interest in detail without disrupting your school work.
As an intern, you will also get to learn from professionals, experts, and/or professors and explore career paths. Boston is home to many universities and organizations offering such opportunities, and choosing a local option can save you a ton of time and money!
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 15 summer internships in Boston for high school students. We have prioritized opportunities that offer work-and-learn experiences, pre-professional exposure, and insights into future careers in various fields, including STEAM, finance, marine conservation, museum curation, architecture, and more!
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer sessions that typically begin in June/July
Application deadline: Varies as per the cohort. Summer cohorts have a May/June deadline
Eligibility: High schoolers, gap year students, and undergrads who are able to work for 10–20 hours each week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships are designed for ambitious high school students seeking opportunities to collaborate with a high-growth start-up on projects in diverse fields, including STEM, finance, and media. The start-ups in Ladder Internship programs are high-growth companies, such as JuneBrain, SoftenMind, and Fair Opportunity Project, which on average raise over a million dollars. As a Ladder intern, you will get to work on a real-world project, like a market data analysis report, an app, or a business strategy in any field of your interest. During the internship, you will interact with the start-up’s management and a Ladder coach/program manager. At the end of the program, you will make a professional-level project presentation to the company and receive a letter of completion. You can also request a letter of recommendation from the host company’s mentor. You can learn about available internship areas and program formats on the application form.
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston main office, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Dates: Summer and year-round opportunities; exact dates vary
Application deadline: March/April
Eligibility: Income-eligible high school students who have completed their sophomore year in a Boston Public School
In collaboration with the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (Boston Fed) offers the Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) internship program for low- and middle-income Boston Public School students during summer and the school year. The internship begins with an Early Engagement program in March, after which you will be interviewed and selected for summer internships, which can continue in subsequent school years and summers. Under the guidance of mentors, you will engage in opportunities to develop soft and technical skills in a professional work environment. Through workshops and career development sessions, you will explore personal finance aspects, network with peers, and explore the Boston Fed’s various departments, such as real estate, accounts, marketing, and communication. You can find and apply for internship opportunities via BPIC.
Location: Michael B. Silevitch and Claire J. Duggan Center for STEM Education at Northeastern University campus, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; a stipend and an MBTA pass may be provided, but they are not guaranteed each year
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Rising seniors with at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA who live and attend school in Massachusetts within commuting distance of Northeastern University; applicants must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University offers Boston-area current juniors a hands-on university-level academic research experience in science and engineering. As a participant, you will work on a faculty-assigned project in a research lab, learning scientific methods and developing problem-solving skills. In the past, interns have worked on projects like healthcare analytics, bio-inspired robots, solar-powered chargers, adolescent brain development, and electrochemical groundwater treatment. During the program, you will also participate in seminars on various topics, including biotechnology, environmental issues, lasers, and robotics, and visit local industries and organizations to explore how STEM principles are applied in the real world. You will also find opportunities to develop social communication skills, attend college and career counseling sessions, and access university resources like the Snell Library and Curry Student Center.
Location: Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid and unpaid opportunities available
Dates: Start and end dates vary by position, but internships typically last seven weeks; multiple cohorts run each year, including summer internships
Application deadline: Varies based on the opportunity; summer interns are recruited in February/March
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 – 19 years old; international students who do not require sponsorship are also eligible; additional qualifications may be specified for each opportunity
The Museum of Science's Youth Internship Program offers paid and unpaid summer internships to high school students interested in science. While the exact responsibilities can vary for each opportunity, you will find opportunities to develop social, time-management, communication, and vocational skills in a collaborative environment with peers, museum officials, and staff during the internship. You will get early exposure to workplace policies, professional etiquette, and performance expectations while working in various museum educational spaces devoted to tech, science, engineering, and math. You may have the opportunity to work on tasks such as assisting with the maintenance of museum collections, monitoring exhibits, making repairs under supervision, organizing workshops, and helping staff members enhance visitor experiences. You will also attend skill-building workshops to prepare for STEM careers and employment opportunities. Museum internship opportunities are posted here.
Location: Opportunities across Massachusetts, including Boston; site is determined by the host employer
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend is paid and the pay rate is established by the host employer, but it cannot be less than $15/hour.
Dates: Vary; October current year through August of the following year, with summer session typically from May to August
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising seniors (and recent graduates) in good standing enrolled in a vocational or technical high school in MA, an After Dark program, or a CTI program + members of a group of individuals approved for participation by MassCEC
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Technical Trades Work and Learning Program is a work-and-learn program that facilitates paid job-training opportunities. The program spans the entire school year and continues through the following summer, offering internships focusing on recyclable fuel, products and services that boost energy efficiency, and technologies powered by the sun or wind. You will apply with the help of your co-op coordinator and select the industry niche of choice, after which you will be hired and paid directly by the host employer. Host employers are clean energy and water innovation companies engaged in advanced and applied technologies that significantly reduce or eliminate the use of energy from non-renewable sources. In the past, internships have been offered by companies like Aloft Systems, Haycon LLC, Aeroshield, MassBike, and GreenRoots. During the internship, you will get opportunities to network with industry professionals, build connections, and develop professional skills.
Location: Paul Revere House, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend not specified
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12 in the fall
The Paul Revere House offers high school students in Boston a part-time summer internship program to discover behind-the-scenes work in a history museum, providing an opportunity to explore a public history career. You will work individually or in collaboration with your peers under the supervision of museum staff. The experience will offer insights into how museum tours, field trips, and lecture series are organized and how resources like podcasts and newsletters are created and used to announce and promote the museum's events. You will interact with visitors, including school groups, and provide support on the museum floor or in the museum office. You may also take on curatorial duties, create content on museum artifacts, and/or work on a research project during the program.
Location: University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends distributed two to three times per semester, depending on completing the required hours or programming
Dates: Six-week summer program from late June to mid-August + year-round programming
Application deadline: Rolling dates
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11 enrolled in UM Boston’s partner schools and rising ninth graders planning to attend any of these schools; applicants must maintain grades above a B (3.0) on program enrollment and be U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Urban Scholars Program at the University of Massachusetts Boston offers underrepresented and economically disadvantaged academically talented Boston high schoolers a year-long program to develop academic and leadership skills and prepare for college. You will get a stipend during the summer component of the program while working on a project. During the academic year, you will attend tutorials and supervised study sessions, visit college campuses, and undertake cultural trips to gain competency, confidence, and resourcefulness in academic settings. During the summer, you will work on a project that will expand your critical thinking and analytical abilities. You will present the final project at the annual Urban Scholars Project Showcase in the form of a poster, PowerPoint presentation, demonstration, or live reading.
Location: Tufts University, Boston Health Sciences Campus, Boston, MA; residential component is at Tufts Medford Campus, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free + a full scholarship to cover the residential components of the Pre-College programs + $2,175 upon completion of the four-week program + $100 for students participating in and completing research-related tasks of an NIH research study
Dates: June 30 – July 25
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in the Boston area within commuting distance of the program site; applicants must be at least 16 years old by July 7, authorized to work in the U.S., and U.S. citizens/permanent residents (Green Card holders) or EAD holders
The Tufts STEM+M CONNECT program is designed for highly motivated Boston high schoolers from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM and medicine. This paid immersive summer experience will connect you with peers, university undergraduate mentors, and faculty and offer social and academic support to explore career pathways in STEM and healthcare. You will get a residential experience attending Tufts University’s Pre-College programs—Mini Med School or Lab Science Investigations—along with structured mentoring. After attending an information session on Zoom, you will participate in the CONNECT sessions that include field trips, games, etc., to network with peers and mentors, attend workshops on professional and life skills, tour labs, and get individual mentorship from undergraduate STEM students. The next two weeks will feature residential components of either Mini Med School for students who want to explore medical sciences and healthcare through hands-on lab training, or Lab Science Investigations, which involves lab research on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and antibiotics. You will also attend three to five alumni meet-ups in the fall and spring.
Location: Various locations in MA, including Boston
Stipend: Offered as per the State's directives on minimum wage
Dates: Post-July 4th holiday – August (Cycle 1); September to June (Cycle 2)
Application deadline: Varies as determined by the employer
Eligibility: Individuals who are 14 – 25 years old
The Youth Works Program of the Commonwealth Corporation (CommCorp) is a state-funded program to match youth with potential employers registered with the MassHire Workforce Board and MassHire Career Centers. Through this program, you will get to develop professional and technical skills and gain your first work experience to increase your chances of getting employed in in-demand industries such as IT, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. You will undergo training through a tiered learning model to land an internship with a private sector business, non-profit, or community-based organization, and get opportunities to connect with working professionals for career chats. You will participate in 25 hours of training under the Signal Success component to develop core soft skills and work-readiness. You will also get assistance to secure a placement that matches your future career goals and interests. You will have access to feedback through job-progress assessments in collaboration with supervisors, and get to learn about work permits and payments through this program.
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends of $15/hour available
Dates: Year-round opportunities with summer events; dates not specified
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; must be Boston residents and/or attend a Boston Public School
The Museum of Fine Arts' Teen Arts Council (TAC) is a leadership development program that offers paid opportunities to Boston-area high schoolers. Here, you will have the opportunity to explore diverse museum professions through a hands-on work-and-learn experience, immersing yourself in art, culture, and history. Teen-led tours to Boston are also part of the program. You will take on roles related to customer service, greeting visitors, and providing relevant information exhibits, and take on other responsibilities, such as creating labels for the art exhibits and acting as museum ambassadors. You will collaborate with peers and staff to create teen-focused events, attend training sessions and talks with visiting artists, and explore your creativity through studio art classes and workshops. You will get to develop creative and critical thinking skills and professional work competencies. TAC culminates with a Teen Night at the MFA.
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends of $15/hour offered
Dates: July through August; six-week program
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 – 12 enrolled in a high school in Boston and residents of Boston
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Judicial Youth Corps (JYC) paid internship program provides urban high school students with firsthand exposure to the judicial branch. As a participant, you will learn about the rule of law through weekly informative educational lessons and attend legal sessions in the local court. You will also work with your peers to prepare for a mock trial, participate in discussions with legal community members, observe a court session, and shadow judges and staff. You will also explore legal concepts and principles and get mentorship from judges, lawyers, and court personnel while visiting and working in various court departments. The program ends with a graduation ceremony.
Location: Architecture firms in Boston, MA
Eligibility: Boston public school students in grades 9–12
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application deadline: Not specified, but applications open in February
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a stipend is paid
Architecture/Design High School Internships offered by the Boston Society for Architecture and Boston PIC are six-week opportunities to work at local architecture firms. During the program, you will get to explore the field of architecture through practical projects and site tours. You will also find opportunities to work on your design and 3D modeling skills. As an intern, you will get firsthand insights into architectural design and urban planning through tours conducted on “Summer Fridays” each week. The program also offers opportunities to network with engineers, designers, architects, and contractors. At the end of your internship, you will deliver a presentation to share your experience and highlights with peers.
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants are paid $15/hour
Dates: Year-round opportunities
Application deadline: Rolling dates
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores who are Boston residents and/or attend a Boston Public School
STEAM Team at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is a paid, pre-college summer program for Boston high school sophomores interested in science, tech, math, engineering, and the arts. You will work with the museum’s conservation staff, explore how they display artwork in the galleries, and get exposure to other departments' work at the MFA. You will also gain hands-on learning experiences through projects, explore academic and professional options in the STEAM fields, and undergo job-related training and enhancement of workforce development skills. The program also offers field visits to other museums, institutions, and local businesses that focus on STEAM programming, providing exposure to career opportunities.
Location: New England Aquarium, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free with stipends provided; amount not specified
Dates: Varies by cohort, but opportunities typically last 12 weeks
Application deadline: January 31 for the summer cohort
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older, residing in the Boston and Cambridge areas; a few positions may require applicants who are at least 18 years old
The New England Aquarium's Summer Teen Internship Program offers two internship positions for high school students interested in exploring careers in marine science and conservation: Visitor Services Assistant and Interpretation and Engagement Aquarium Guide. If hired, you will undergo one week of training and six weeks of work with optional behind-the-scenes workshops and weekly social meetings. As a Visitor Service Assistant, your work will primarily involve customer service tasks, such as greeting visitors and creating an enjoyable Aquarium experience for them. If selected for the Interpretation and Engagement Aquarium Guide role, you will provide visitors with information about exhibits, raise awareness for challenges related to animal conservation and ocean preservation, and assist with various aquarium activities. In either of the roles, you will get to develop practical skills in a professional environment, including confidence in engaging with others, taking on responsibilities in a competent manner, and time management. The internship includes a weekly professional development course and an ocean advocacy course. You can also check out the Giant Ocean Tank internship opportunity at the aquarium.
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends of $15/hour offered
Dates: Year-round opportunities; dates not specified
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors who are Boston residents and/or Boston Public School students; applicants must be current members of youth organizations BAM (Becoming a Man) or The BASE (Building Access Success Excellence)
MFA's Curatorial Study Hall is a specialized project-based internship for Boston high schoolers. Here, you will get to learn about various roles and activities in an art museum, the relationship between art and spaces, and link between museums and communities. You will get insights into a curator's job, museum spaces, the organization of exhibitions, and the role of tour guides in a museum. You will also get to build upon your knowledge of art and develop a vocabulary by observing artworks and engaging in discussions with your peers and museum mentors. You will participate in lectures and workshops, and maintain a journal to document the takeaways from museum tours, including the elements of art, strategies for enhancing the visitor experience, and the skills you develop.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you want to pursue research, consider applying to Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective high school programs founded in partnership with Harvard and Oxford researchers. Last year, 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 an independent research paper.
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