9 Tech Internships for High School Students
- Trisha Malhotra
- Mar 10, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 23
High school students interested in technology should consider pursuing tech, data science, coding, and tech product management internships. In coding and data science internships, students often engage in real-world projects, honing their programming skills and gaining insights into data analysis and machine learning applications. On the other hand, tech product management internships offer experience in project planning, collaboration, and understanding user-centric design principles, providing a comprehensive view of the product development lifecycle.
If you plan to major in STEM in college, tech internships can be a standout feature on your college applications. Admissions committees appreciate candidates who show initiative and have practical skills. Tech internships demonstrate your commitment to learning and problem-solving. Whether developing software applications, analyzing complex datasets, or contributing to product strategies, these experiences showcase your ability to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Here are 9 great tech internships for high schoolers!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: $2490 (Financial Aid Available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) caters to high school juniors and seniors with an interest in technology and scientific research. SHIP provides an opportunity to participate in cutting-edge technological research at NIST. You will collaborate with NIST’s scientists and engineers, gaining experience in specific research areas. The program spans across 6 NIST laboratories, offering exposure to various tech-focused domains. If you're interested in tech, you can apply to the Communications Technology Lab and the Information Technology Lab.
Cost: No participation cost (but students must cover housing and transportation costs)
Location: Varies from lab to lab.
Application Deadline: TBD
Program Dates: TBD
Eligibility: Rising senior or recent graduate, must be eligible to work in the U.S., a minimum of a 3.0 GPA should be maintained.
Since 1996, the CiS Intern Program in San Francisco has been welcoming applications from students in underrepresented communities interested in technology and STEM. The initiative offers an opportunity to explore science and sustainability, complemented by mentorship to enhance your professional skills. The CiS team allocates students to roles and departments within a museum setting based on interests and available opportunities. The program offers hands-on learning and encourages engagement in seminars, conferences, and interactions with faculty, mentors, and peers. Students must be willing to commit to all attendance requirements for 2 or 3 years until high school graduation. We’ve covered more on the CiS intern program here!
Cost: Fully funded, stipend provided
Location: California Academy of Sciences
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: Multi-year, year-round participation
Eligibility: Currently enrolled as a full-time 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school, maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher with a grade of C or above in science and math, eligible to obtain a valid work permit (for U.S. citizens and those authorized to work in the U.S.).
Amazon’s Future Engineer internship is a prestigious experience that introduces you to the daily challenges and innovations within the company. The opportunity includes working on real projects and collaborating with professionals. The program integrates technical instruction, mentorship opportunities, and a supportive community. Through participation, you will build a strong foundation in computer science and leverage networking opportunities with industry professionals, gaining insights into potential career pathways! We’ve broken down everything you need to know about the Amazon Future Engineer scholarship here.
Cost/Stipend: No cost, scholarship up to $40,000 per year
Location: At Amazon headquarters
Application deadline: December 15
Program Dates: 8-weeks during the summer after your freshman year of college
Eligibility: High School Seniors in the U.S. who are currently enrolled in or who have completed a high school or college dual degree course where computer science, engineering, or robotics is the subject; have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent); demonstrate financial need
The SPARK summer internship program offers a blend of theoretical learning and practical application. You will collaborate with professionals on tech projects spanning software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Engaging in this program means honing practical skills and benefitting from mentorship and professional development opportunities. The structured approach ensures you will make meaningful contributions to projects while attending skill-building workshops, networking events, and career advice sessions. Here are some ways to boost your odds of getting into SPARK SIP!
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some internships provide stipends
Location: Seattle, Washington
Program dates: 8–10 weeks (June — August)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Tech Flex Leaders is ideal for those interested in a tech career. This program offers a specialized curriculum covering UX Design, Data Science, Web Development, and more. Through workshops and hackathons, you will grasp theoretical concepts and acquire practical skills crucial in today’s tech landscape. The program stands out by providing direct access to industry leaders and facilitating networking events, offering opportunities for collaboration and peer connections.
Cost/Stipend: No cost, stipend of $1000
Location: Hybrid in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles
Program Dates: TBD, usually 9 months starting in September
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in a New York City, Los Angeles, or Miami high school
SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) presents a virtual internship for high school students that breaks down the traditional boundaries between STEM and Humanities. You will join diverse tech projects tailored to your interests and strengths. Guided by mentors from the Stanford Compression Forum and affiliated organizations, you will work on algorithm development, data analysis, and mathematical modeling within information and communication sciences. The interdisciplinary projects involve engineering, computer science, technology, and mathematics.
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee, no stipend provided
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: June 17 — August 9
Application Deadline: March 1st
Eligibility: Must be a high school junior or senior in the current school year and at least 14 by June 17.
The Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program is an opportunity for tech-focused high school students. Cohorts work on diverse topics, from software development to artificial intelligence and data science. You will contribute to projects like developing software solutions, exploring advanced algorithms for machine learning, and experiences with emerging technologies. You will receive guidance from professionals throughout the program. Field visits to AFRL facilities offer insights into real-world applications of technology. Check out why you might want to apply to the AFRL Program here!
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded, stipend provided.
Location: Kirtland/AMOS, Eglin/Hurlbert air force bases
Application Deadline: This may vary based on the AFRL sites and/or projects you are applying to.
Program Dates: Vary from project to project, but you can expect it to be during the summer months for nine weeks.
Eligibility: High schoolers with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale who are US citizens and have a valid driver’s license. You must also be eligible to work 40 hours a week for summer internship positions.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagements provides paid internships for high school students. These opportunities involve collaboration on ongoing agency projects under NASA mentorship, covering subjects like software development, data science, and technological modeling. For tech-focused students, this internship focuses on data analysis, visualization, and modeling. Responsibilities include evaluating and rectifying data gathered during specific periods, contributing to data formatting and analysis for archival purposes, and utilizing scripting for tasks such as crafting metadata and generating charts. This experience offers valuable skills and insights into NASA’s technological advancements. To learn more about NASA internships, check out our complete guide here.
Cost/Stipend: No application cost. A stipend is provided, based on academic level and session length.
Location: Offered across NASA facilities. Students may select roles based on the cities they are in.
Application Deadline: The office also offers internships in the Summer, Fall, and Spring, with different deadlines. Check for updates!
Program Dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions — Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August) Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) |
Eligibility: Internships are available for full-time high school students who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement and are US citizens.
Another option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program!
If you are looking to start your research journey with 1–1 mentorship from a top Ph.D. scholar in a STEM field, check out the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded by researchers at Harvard and Oxford. 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!
Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of experience being a freelance writer and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a devoted cat parent.
Image Source: NIST logo
