Topics We Cover:
- Why Do Internships in High School?
- How to Find Summer Internships for High School Students
- 60 Summer Internships for High School Students
- Cold Outreach Strategy for High School Internships
- Email Template for Finding a High School Internship
While it’s tempting to use your summer break to hit the beach or binge-watch your favorite shows, many high schoolers take the time to get a head start on their careers. Summer internships for high schoolers offer a fantastic opportunity to begin building the skills, experience, and network needed for professional success.
Why Do Internships in High School?
Before exploring the wide variety of available summer internships for high school students, it’s important to understand the value these activities have on your future. High school internships demonstrate an ambition to pursue your interests outside of the classroom, are an impressive addition to your resume, and verify your future goals with real-world insight.
Engaging in a summer internship while in high school can also help you stand out in competitive college applicant pools and significantly improve your odds of gaining admission to a top school. Consider that, according to PRISM, a student-run consultancy at the University of Chicago, 70% of students at U.S. News Top 50 universities have completed at least one internship while in high school.
Completing a high school internship can open doors to future opportunities. Having one on your resume makes it easier to land internships in college, gain acceptance into pre-professional organizations, and stand out when entering the workforce.
How to Find Summer Internships for High School Students
Online search tools and lists are an easy way to discover official internship programs. One noteworthy resource is StandOutsearch. The largest free online database of high school internships, StandOutSearch, makes finding a “right fit” opportunity easy with filters ranging from field of interest to location to format (in-person, online, hybrid). MIT Admissions also provides a helpful list of summer programs and internships.
Official programs are often super competitive. If you are serious about finding a summer internship in high school, it’s also smart to prepare a cold outreach strategy—that is, a plan for contacting potential internship providers about possible opportunities.
At the end of this article, you can read more about how to form a cold outreach strategy to find a high school internship, along with email templates to simplify the process of reaching out to professionals.
60 Summer Internships for High School Students
Order:
- Programs that Match You With an Internship in Your Interest Area
- STEM Internships for High School Students
- Business Internships for High School Students
- Law and Politics Internships for High School Students
- Arts and Marketing Internships for High School Students
Official high school internship programs are competitive—most of the opportunities listed below accept 20% of applicants or fewer. To improve your chances, we suggest applying to at least five programs. And if something catches your eye, be sure to note the deadline on your calendar, so you don’t miss out on a valuable opportunity!
Programs that Match You With an Internship in Your Interest Area
1. StandOut Connect
Ages: 15–19
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Summer, Spring, Fall, or Winter
Deadline: November 23, 2026 (Winter cohort)
StandOut Connect is a program that helps match gifted high school students with online internships in their industry of interest. Potential sectors include finance, STEM, medicine, law, arts, and more. StandOut Connect is funded by StandOutSearch, the largest free database for high school internships. The program has been featured in Forbes and was created with the help of investment from The University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
2. U.S. Department of State Pathways Internship Program
Ages: 16–18
Location: Locations across the U.S. and remote
Timeline: School Year or Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
Federal work experience is on offer through the U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program, where certain entry-level openings accept students still in high school or working toward a GED. The paid program has two tracks. Internship Experience Program (IEP) appointments are designed to run as long as a student’s academic program, while Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) appointments last no more than a year, and ITEP interns can work only during school breaks, such as summer, or year-round. Openings are spread across the country. Applicants need U.S. citizenship, a minimum age of 16, a GPA of 2.0 or higher, and the ability to obtain a security clearance.
3. Emma Bowen Foundation Internship
Ages: 17–18
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Rolling
High schoolers interested in producing, journalism, web development, engineering, business, public relations, sales, or any other career in media or tech will want to take a close look at the Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Internship. Interns are placed directly within an organization, gaining hands-on experience that builds real skills and accelerates their path to a successful career.
4. The City and County of San Francisco High School Internships
Ages: Sophomores-Seniors
Location: San Francisco, CA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (February 13 in 2026)
The City and County of San Francisco offer various internships and summer programs for high school students in several departments, including:
- Airport
- City Attorney
- Department of Children, Youth, and their Families
- Department of Elections
- District Attorney
- General Services Administration
- Office of Economic Workforce Development
- Public Utilities Commission
- Opportunities for All
- Public Works
Interns work 20 hours a week—Monday through Friday—over eight weeks during the summer. Project Pull is open to current sophomores, juniors and seniors who live or attend high school in San Francisco and earned at least a 2.75 GPA in their last finished semester.
5. Family Service Paid Summer Internship Program
Ages: 14–17
Location: San Antonio, TX
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (April 3 in 2026)
This paid summer internship program allows San Antonio middle and high school students to build college and career readiness. Participants build valuable soft skills, set career goals, and are matched with a local organization where they complete a 120-hour internship over the summer.
STEM Internships for High School Students
6. NASA High School Internship
Ages: 18 (graduating seniors)
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 1, 2027
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships for high school and college students. Participants work with research scientists, engineers, and other NASA professionals to gain real-world experience, build career readiness, and strengthen their resumes.
Check out our article, NASA High School Internships: Your Ultimate Guide, to learn more about this out-of-this-world opportunity.
7. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Ages: 16–18
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 11, 2027
Eight or more weeks of full-time summer research, at 40 hours a week, is the commitment for high school scholars in the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program, whose weekly stipend for high schoolers was most recently $506.80 at most locations. Upper-level high schoolers join college and graduate STEM students on real projects, guided directly by AFRL’s full-time scientists and engineers. Work happens in person on Air Force bases, with sites spanning California, Hawaii, Virginia, Texas, Florida, New York, New Mexico, Ohio, and beyond. U.S. citizenship is required, and applicants must be 16 or older, or 18 for the California sites.
8. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (January 25 in 2026)
Fieldwork and lab science fill the summer in this eight-week paid internship from the American Fisheries Society, which has positions in all 50 states, as well as Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands. Each Hutton Scholar is matched with a fisheries or aquatic science mentor within a 30- to 45-minute commute of home and works 32 hours a week for a $3,000 stipend. Depending on the placement, scholars might survey fish populations, test water quality, examine specimens under a microscope, or help with children’s education programs. The program is open to rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen who will be at least 16 by June 1.
9. National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Ages: 17-18 (graduating seniors)
Location: Bethesda, Maryland, and other NIH campuses
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 26, 2027
The National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program (SIP) offers the opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s most accomplished scientists. Research opportunities span the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences, covering basic, translational, and clinical research.
In addition to research, students participate in educational, career, and professional development programming. They also share their research at a Summer Poster Day at the end of the summer. High school applicants must be graduating seniors and U.S. citizens or permanent residents who will be 18 by September 30, 2027. A senior who is still 17 on June 1 qualifies only when living within 40 miles of an NIH campus, and NIH does not provide housing.
10. National Security Agency High School Work Study Program
Ages: Rising Seniors
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: School Year
Deadline: Not yet announced
The National Security Agency (NSA) High School Work Study Program provides high schoolers the opportunity to work at NSA Headquarters in Maryland or one of its field sites in Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Texas, or Utah. Positions are available in fields including:
- Chinese Language and Intelligence Analysis
- Computer/Engineering Technology
- Facilities/Logistics
- Office Administration
- Printing/Graphic Arts and Model Shop
Interns are paid, making this a great chance to build work experience while earning a paycheck.
11. America on Tech TECH360 Intro to AI
Ages: Rising Juniors and Seniors
Location: New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Atlanta (hybrid)
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (May 24 in 2026)
Participants in this summer program learn how AI is disrupting the workforce and changing the world around us. Students build the knowledge, skills, and mindset to understand AI, while exploring how to use these tools effectively. The program culminates in a group project, pitching an AI-powered tool to mock clients, with top teams invited to showcase their work at a future event.
This is a paid program. Participants receive a $500 stipend.
12. Naval STEM Interns | Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Ages: 16–18
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: November 30, 2026
Students in the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) conduct research in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories, gaining hands-on STEM experience, exploring research and development opportunities, and receiving mentorship from professional scientists and engineers.
New students receive a $4,000 stipend for their participation in the eight-week internship. Returning interns earn a $4,500 stipend.
13. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Ages: Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 5, 2027
Students in this summer program engage in an eight-week internship in a biomedical or computational lab. Working under the supervision of a mentor, participants build skills, complete a self-directed project, and explore life as a scientist. Opportunities are available in a variety of research areas, including:
- Cancer Biology
- Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology
- Chemistry/Chemical Biology
- Computer Science/Computational Biology/Genomics
- Engineering/Optics/Imaging/Research Tools
- Immunology/Immuno-oncology
- Pharmacology and Drug Development
- Structural Biology
Students receive a $1,200 stipend for their participation in the program.
14. Columbia University BRAINYAC
Ages: Sophomores and Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (October 28 in 2026)
Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) is a paid neuroscience research internship run by Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute, and its core is a full-time, nine-to-five summer spent on a hands-on project in a Columbia lab. Each intern is matched with a Columbia neuroscientist who mentors them through that research. The cycle opens with spring training in lab skills such as microscopy, pipetting, and coding, and it closes with an August poster symposium. The program is open to New York City 10th and 11th graders who are enrolled in a BRAINYAC partner program, such as S-PREP, BioBus, or Lang Youth Medical.
15. Roswell Park High School Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SURE-CAN) Program
Ages: Juniors
Location: Buffalo, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 1, 2027
SURE-CAN places high school juniors from Western New York in Buffalo's Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center for six weeks of summer research. Every intern is matched with a faculty mentor and takes on a lab, computational, or epidemiology and health behavior project. Lectures span cancer biology, genomics, imaging, statistics, AI methods and the ethics of research, along with professional development sessions, and interns present posters at a closing symposium. In 2027 the program runs June 28 through August 6, full time at around 40 hours a week. It is free and commuter-only, with limited subsistence allowances for some participants. Eligible students are in the class of 2028, hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and live and go to school in Erie, Chautauqua, Niagara or Cattaraugus county.
16. Genspace BioRocket Internship
Ages: 16–18
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
Students explore the latest advances in genetic engineering while building both biology laboratory skills and scientific communication skills in this six-month research internship at Genspace in Brooklyn. Participants learn lab techniques first; the summer then centers on a research project they design with teen peers and scientist mentors, alongside lab tours, field trips, and career guidance, while earning a $2,000 stipend. The program runs from February through August, with a spring session on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons followed by a summer session (in 2026, February 25 to May 21 and July 6 to August 14). Applicants must be at least 16 and live in or attend a New York City public or charter school within about 45 minutes of Genspace.
17. Columbia Engineering Hk Maker Lab
Ages: Sophomores and Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
The Hk Maker Lab is a free, five-week summer program run by the nonprofit HYPOTHEkids that introduces students to engineering and health innovation, pairing university-level coursework with a design challenge. For the first three weeks, students take a course taught by Columbia Engineering faculty, such as Biomedical Engineering or Innovation and Design. The program culminates with a two-week Hackathon for Health Equity—challenging students to create digital media, such as an app or website, to address health disparities. Most recently, the program ran July 6 to August 7, 2026. It is open to 10th and 11th graders at New York City public or charter high schools who show educational or economic need.
18. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program
Ages: 16–18
Location: Princeton, NJ
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (March 15 in 2026)
This free summer program provides high schoolers with research experience in the natural sciences and engineering, placing them inside real university labs rather than a classroom. Participants join ongoing research projects and work under the close supervision of Princeton faculty and research staff, usually for five to six weeks during weekday business hours. The program is in person and not residential, Princeton does not provide housing or transportation, and students do not earn academic credit. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 16, and enrolled in a local New Jersey high school.
Admission to the program is extremely competitive—Princeton reports more than 3,000 applications in each recent year.
19. Meta (Facebook) Summer Academy
Ages: Sophomores
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 14, 2027
Externs of Meta Summer Academy—formerly known as Facebook Summer Academy—explore the day-to-day operations of one of the world’s leading social media networks. Participants learn how to code and explore careers in tech while developing career-ready skills.
Learn more about this awesome internship opportunity in our article, The Definitive Guide to the Facebook High School Internship.
20. Kaiser Permanente High School Program
Ages: 16–19
Location: Northern California
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 8, 2027
Participants in this paid seven-week program explore administrative and supporting careers in healthcare, such as:
- Accounting, Finance, and Actuarial
- Administration, Clerical, and Supporting Services
- Customer Service
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Research and Development
- Sales and Marketing
Interns also engage in skill-development workshops, gain firsthand insight into healthcare careers, and build their professional network.
21. Sandia National Laboratories Student Intern Program
Ages: 16–19
Location: Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
Sandia National Laboratories applies science to help detect, repel, defeat, or mitigate national threats. It also welcomes paid student interns—including those in high school—to assist with real-world technical and business projects at its sites in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Livermore, California. The summer is its main internship season: placements usually last 10 to 12 weeks, from May to late August, with up to 40 hours of work per week. Applicants must be at least 16, enrolled full time in school, and, for research, technical, or business roles, hold a GPA of at least 3.0. U.S. citizenship is required for positions that need a security clearance.
22. Stanford University Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: Stanford, CA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (February 21 in 2026)
Students in the eight-week Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) perform basic research on a medically oriented project in one of eight areas, including immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, and bioengineering. Students work under the supervision of Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers, spending about 40 hours a week on campus. The 2027 program is tentatively set for June 7 to July 29. There is no cost to attend, and a limited number of need-based stipends are available. Applicants must be juniors or seniors, at least 16, and U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and selection strongly favors Bay Area students.
23. Georgia Aquarium Beginner Environmental Leadership Program
Ages: 15–17
Location: Atlanta, GA
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (March 27 in 2026)
This high school volunteer program aims to create the next generation of environmental and conservation leaders among teens who care about aquatic life. It runs three four-month sessions per year, and the summer session, from May to August, asks the most of volunteers at 80 hours, compared with 60 in spring and fall. Volunteers start as gallery guides working in guest interpretation and engagement, including at touch pools, and every participant completes a group community project. The program is unpaid and open to students ages 15 to 17 who are enrolled in high school or home school. Accepted volunteers pay a $45 administrative fee and receive training, a uniform shirt, and free parking during shifts.
24. University of Chicago Medicine ResearchStart Program
Ages: 16–19
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 11, 2027
UChicago Medicine's ResearchStart program gives high school juniors and seniors from Illinois and Lake County, Indiana, a paid summer in a cancer research lab. Students work full time under an established investigator on topics that include cancer disparities, immunology, bioengineering, and experimental therapeutics. Host labs are at Northwestern University, Rush University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois campuses in Chicago and Urbana-Champaign. Alongside lab work, participants attend skill-building and career workshops, hear faculty lectures on cancer, and receive mentoring. The 2027 session runs from June 14 through August 6 at 35 to 40 hours a week, closes with a research symposium, and pays a $4,000 stipend. Housing and transportation are not included, and up to 30 students are chosen.
25. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
Ages: 16–19
Location: Medford, MA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 16, 2027
High schoolers gain real-world experience performing cutting-edge biomedical research, investigating biomedical questions, and developing new methods to study cells, tissues, and organs in this six-week summer program.
Students receive academic guidance from undergraduates and graduate students involved and their research mentors, seeing the work of professional researchers firsthand. They also learn to think critically and independently.
26. University of Michigan Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship
Ages: Juniors
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program at the University of Michigan is a free six-week program that introduces students to the life sciences. Participants gain hands-on lab experience by assisting with real research projects at the forefront of scientific discovery. Interns live and work on the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor campus, experiencing life firsthand at a major research university.
Not only is this program free, but students earn a $3,000 stipend for their participation.
27. Massachusetts Institute of Technology MITES Summer Program
Ages: Juniors
Location: Cambridge, MA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (February 1 in 2026)
This six-week summer program introduces talented high school juniors to rigorous college coursework—it’s like a semester of college packed into one exciting summer. Students explore high-level math, science, and humanities classes, as well as electives in fields like architecture, electronics, and machine learning.
Outside the classroom, participants explore the Greater Boston area, prepare for college, connect with college counselors, and enjoy a college-like experience.
28. Massachusetts General Brigham Youth Program
Ages: Sophomores
Location: Boston, MA
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
The Massachusetts General Brigham Youth Program exposes Massachusetts high schoolers from Boston, Revere, and Chelsea to careers in healthcare. Participants build valuable skills and experience through internships, job shadowing, summer jobs, and workshops. Positions are available in fields such as:
- Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Nursing
- Pathology and Clinical Laboratories
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Services
- Radiology and Imaging
- Research Labs and Global Health Initiatives
Students also build a community of students similarly interested in healthcare, as well as their network of professionals in the industry.
29. MD Anderson Cancer Center UPWARDS High School Summer Research Training Program
Ages: Rising Seniors (18+)
Location: Texas
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 13, 2027
MD Anderson Cancer Center's UPWARDS program brings up to 10 local teens from underserved backgrounds into its labs for a paid, 10-week summer of cancer research. Each student is paired with a faculty mentor and spends 40 hours weekly on hands-on projects in that mentor's lab. Coursework, lectures, seminars and career events fill out the summer, which closes with a poster session. On-site participants can earn up to $7,200, intended for housing, living and travel expenses. Applicants for 2027 must be local students entering senior year, at least 18 by June 7, 2027, and economically or educationally disadvantaged, first-generation or living with a disability. For students drawn to health care, it offers a full summer of research inside a major cancer hospital.
30. Summer Science Program (SSP)
Ages: 15–18
Location: Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
Students spend five weeks living on a host college campus and working in teams of three on a genuine research project. They choose from astrophysics (calculating the orbits of near-Earth asteroids), bacterial genomics, biochemistry, or cell biology. The program is for high school juniors, the summer before senior year.
SSP International, a nonprofit founded in 1959, runs the program at several host campuses; in 2026, there were 13, including Purdue, Indiana University, Lehigh, and Colby College. Applications for summer 2027 open in December 2026, and financial aid is available.
Business Internships for High School Students
31. Simons Summer Research Program
Ages: Juniors
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 5, 2027
At Stony Brook University, Simons Fellows join a faculty research group in science, math, or engineering and take responsibility for their own project. They also attend weekly faculty research talks, workshops, and tours, then present a poster at a closing symposium, where they receive a stipend award. Most recently, the program ran June 29 to August 7, 2026.
The program is for 11th graders who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and each applicant needs a nomination from their high school. It admits about 5% or fewer of applicants, and there is no tuition. Applications for summer 2027 are expected in late November 2026.
32. Bella Abzug Leadership Institute Journey to Leadership Program
Ages: 13-21
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (May 1 in 2026)
The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) Journey to Leadership Program is a free summer leadership and debate training program for all youth, with a special focus on those who are female-identifying and gender expansive. Participants learn to become active and creative and to lead in all circles of life, from civic and political to corporate and community. The six-week program is split into three cohorts of about 60 trainees, meeting weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for workshops, guest speakers, and debate labs. It is open to ages 13 to 21 from the New York City area.
33. 1435 Capital Management High School Internship (Venture Analyst)
Ages: Rising Juniors and Seniors
Location: Skillman (near Princeton), New Jersey
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 4, 2027
Students interested in business, finance, and entrepreneurship will want to check out this in-person 10-week summer internship. Participants gain industry experience and build their professional network while helping with responsibilities like:
- Administrative support
- Deal sourcing
- Investment analysis
- Market research
- Portfolio monitoring
This internship is ultra-competitive—typically, just three to four applicants are selected from a pool of hundreds.
34. Women Empowered Through Business (WEB) Institute
Ages: Juniors
Location: Knoxville, TN
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 31, 2027
Participants in this six-day summer program learn about the intersection of business and technology, exploring:
- Business analytics
- Coding
- Computer technology
- Entrepreneurship
- Personal branding
- Supply chain management
Students also engage in college-readiness workshops, connect with industry professionals, and learn about the professionalism, etiquette, and networking needed for a successful career.
35. Barnard College Athena Summer Innovation Institute
Ages: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
The Athena Institute is a three-week bootcamp instilling the skills participants need to change the world. During the program, students work in teams to create a venture—such as a startup, nonprofit, or advocacy campaign—that disrupts the traditional way of doing things and creates change. Participants also build career-ready skills like public speaking, presentation, and leadership.
The program concludes with a pitch competition, in which teams present their ideas to each other and provide feedback.
36. Chicago Summer Business Institute Internship Program
Ages: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (March 31 in 2026)
Chicago high school students are paired with paid six-week summer internships at sponsoring companies through the Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) Internship Program, and the placements are meant to introduce them to the financial services sector. A supervisor at each company helps interns set goals and evaluates their work, and students attend Friday afternoon workshops and hear from guest speakers about their careers. The program is open to City of Chicago residents who are high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors with at least a B average. Family household income must be under $80,000 a year.
37. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Internship Program
Ages: Rising Juniors
Location: Boston, MA
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) program offers a paid internship for eligible Boston Public Schools students who have finished their sophomore year.
The program begins with a hands-on summer work experience that combines job coaching and skill-building workshops. Students who demonstrate interest, effort, and strong performance may have the opportunity to continue in a year-round internship, lasting up to three years.
38. New York University Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)
Ages: Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (May 15 in 2026)
Students in this program explore the science of urban infrastructure, applying computer science, engineering, and technology to create innovative solutions for cities. The five-week summer program culminates in a design challenge, where teams present their ideas and prototypes to engineers, urban planners, STEM professionals, friends, and family—demonstrating how their solutions address real-world problems.
39. Accounting and Information Management (AIM) Academy
Ages: Rising Juniors
Location: Knoxville, TN
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 31, 2027
Accounting and Information Management (AIM) Academy is a six-day summer program exposing high schoolers to accounting, information management, and other business fields. Students attend business-related workshops, participate in college-readiness workshops, and build skills that will serve them in their personal, academic, and professional lives.
Law and Politics Internships for High School Students
40. U.S. Senate Page Program
Ages: 16–17
Location: Washington, D.C.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Rolling
One of the most prestigious internship programs in the country, just 30 students are chosen to live in the capital and assist in the daily operations of the Senate. Pages gain firsthand public service experience and meet some of the nation’s most prominent leaders while supporting senators by delivering correspondence and legislative material.
Pages leave the program having gained personal responsibility, time management, and discipline while having a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
41. Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program
Ages: 16–18
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (January 12 in 2026)
For more than three decades, the Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program has paired New York City public high school students with paid internships at law firms, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies. The legal exposure is direct: interns spend six to eight weeks seeing how attorneys and other legal professionals handle day-to-day work, and they typically earn $17 per hour or more. Before starting, accepted students complete virtual workshops on resume writing, interview skills, and office culture. Applicants must be at least 16 by June 1 of the program year. Each summer runs from an opening ceremony to a closing ceremony, most recently June 24 to August 27, 2026.
42. Manhattan District Attorney’s Office High School Internship Program
Ages: Juniors and Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program is a five-week summer experience providing students with an up-close view of the criminal justice system. Participants engage in workshops and discussions on topics like:
- Criminal justice
- Police brutality
- Civic engagement
- Leadership
Students will also engage in a mock trial program and build career readiness—developing professional skills and gaining office experience. The program is open to high school juniors and seniors who live in Manhattan.
43. Saper Law Immersion Program
Ages: 16–18
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
This week-long program in Chicago exposes high school and college students to the legal profession, with a focus on social media and digital technology. Taught by practicing attorneys, it lets students try the skills lawyers use: they follow a curriculum focused on writing and negotiation, take field trips, listen to guest speakers, meet attorneys and judges, and participate in mock legal proceedings. The program runs for one week each summer, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with classes capped at 40 students (in 2026, August 10 to 14). Tuition applies ($875 in 2026), and need-based scholarships have been available to students who request one in their application.
44. New York University High School Law Institute (HSLI)
Ages: Freshmen–Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: School Year
Deadline: Not yet announced (August 14 in 2026)
The New York University High School Law Institute (HSLI) is a free student-run program offering courses in constitutional law, criminal law, speech, and debate. Courses are led by NYU Law and undergraduate students and supported by NYU Law faculty. Courses are designed around the group’s interests, and participants are encouraged to think critically, work together, and evaluate ideas based on reasoning and evidence.
45. Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program
Ages: Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
The Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program helps high school students explore potential careers in law from inside the courts. Participants spend the summer interning for a state or federal judge in New York City while also taking part in educational programming, college preparation, and mentorship. The program aims to encourage diverse and underrepresented students from the five boroughs to pursue law, and it is open to all eligible candidates. Applicants must be high school juniors who live and attend school in New York City and can provide working papers. Orientation is held in May, and the internship runs in July.
46. Charleston County Summer Youth Internship Program
Ages: 16–21
Location: Charleston, SC
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (April 1 in 2026)
The Charleston County Summer Youth Internship Program is a paid, six-week summer program run by Charleston County Government in South Carolina. Interns build workplace readiness skills and get hands-on experience with how county government operates. Most recently, interns earned $15 per hour for about 20 hours a week. The program is open to high school and college students ages 16 to 21 who live in Charleston County, and applicants under 18 need a parent's consent.
47. Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Youth Volunteer Internship
Ages: 16–18
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Timeline: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Deadline: November 15, 2026
Volunteers in this unpaid internship program gain firsthand experience with the criminal justice system—working closely with staff, including deputy district attorneys, investigators, and court and law enforcement personnel at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles. Supporting that staff gives them a close, daily view of how a prosecutor's office runs. Interns assist with tasks like:
- Answering phones
- Delivering and filing documents
- Photocopying, scanning, and shredding
- Typing
The office runs three sessions a year: spring (January to May), summer (June to August), and fall (September to December). Volunteers must be at least 16, enrolled in high school, and able to commit at least 16 hours per week on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
48. City of Boston Mayor’s Youth Council
Ages: Freshmen–Seniors
Location: Boston, MA
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
High schoolers learn about civic leadership and community development through this program, making them active participants in the decisions affecting their lives—collaborating with city officials, voicing their opinions, and developing solutions to the issues facing young people. They also build leadership skills, gain public service experience, and gain insight into local government.
49. Congressman Jim Himes District Internship Program
Ages: 15–18
Location: Bridgeport and Stamford, CT
Timeline: Spring, Summer, and Fall
Deadline: November 18, 2026
Interns in U.S. Representative Jim Himes’s Connecticut district offices in Bridgeport and Stamford get firsthand experience in a congressional office. The office runs cohorts in the spring, summer, and fall, and the program is open to high school students, college students, and recent graduates, with priority for applicants from Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District. Need-based stipends are available, and for high school students in a school-year cohort, schedules can be arranged around classes. The November 18, 2026 deadline is for the spring cohort (January 11 to May 6, 2027); the office posts each cohort's deadline in turn.
50. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office High School Internship
Ages: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
Throughout the year, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office offers internships to a variety of students, including high schoolers. Positions are competitive and offer the opportunity to gain real-world experience working in a district attorney’s office. An intern’s duties may include:
- Assisting in investigations
- Attending trials
- Conducting and analyzing legal research
- Preparing and compiling documents and data
- Supporting community outreach programs
Interns are assigned to a general trial zone or specialized units like Civil Rights, Homicide, and the Special Victims Unit.
51. Columbia University Pre-College Programs (NYC Residential)
Ages: 14–18 (15+ for Residential)
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 1, 2027
This rigorous summer program provides ambitious high school students the chance to explore their interests while getting a taste of college life and exploring one of the world’s great cities: New York. Courses are offered across a broad range of fields, with legal and political offerings including:
- Constitutional Law
- International Relations
- Law as a Tool for Social Justice
- Legal Reasoning
- Political and Economic Ideologies
52. Senator Cory Booker’s Office High School Internship
Ages: 16–18
Location: Newark, NJ, and Camden, NJ
Timeline: Summer (August)
Deadline: Not yet announced
Senator Cory Booker’s office offers a limited number of summer internships to high schoolers—a 14-business-day session in August—in Senator Booker’s Washington, D.C.; Newark, New Jersey; and Camden, New Jersey offices. Interns learn first-hand how Congress works while assisting with a wide spectrum of constituent-focused tasks like:
- Answering phones
- Attending events
- Conducting research
- Drafting memos
- Processing mail and email
- Tracking constituent opinions
53. Oregon Chapter of the Federal Bar Association Haggerty Scholars Program
Ages: Seniors
Location: Oregon
Timeline: School Year, Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (May 1 in 2026)
Scholars work one-on-one with an attorney mentor during the school year, engaging with Oregon’s legal and civic communities. Participants attend events related to law and civil rights and, depending on their mentor, may observe legal proceedings, network with professionals in their field of interest, and receive guidance on writing their college essays.
54. Mikva Challenge Summer Fellows
Ages: Graduating Seniors
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
Mikva Summer Fellows is a paid, six-week summer internship from the civic education nonprofit Mikva Challenge that places young people who have just finished their senior year of high school in the offices of elected and public officials in the Chicago area. Fellows work in city, county, state, and federal offices for 30 hours a week; most recently, Cook County fellows earned $17 per hour. Fellows also attend weekly workshops on community building, leadership, and workplace readiness. Applicants must live in Cook County or Lake County, Illinois, and meet an eligibility criterion set by the Illinois Department of Human Services.
55. Center for Youth Development through Law Summer Legal Fellowship
Ages: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Location: Berkeley, CA
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
Based at UC Berkeley's law school, the Center for Youth Development through Law runs the Summer Legal Fellowship, a paid two-month program for East Bay teens who are first-generation or from marginalized backgrounds. Fellows take full-time classes on campus, argue cases in mock trials, meet legal professionals, and talk through the week's news. Each fellow also interns in a law firm, government agency, or nonprofit office and earns a stipend. The curriculum adds college preparation, career development, and lessons on leadership and emotional intelligence, and mentoring continues once the summer ends. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors may apply if they attend a public high school in Richmond, Oakland, El Cerrito, Berkeley, Hayward, or Emeryville. The mock trials and law office placements give fellows direct experience of legal work.
Arts and Marketing Internships for High School Students
56. The Smithsonian Office of Internships
Ages: 15–18
Location: Washington, D.C., virtual, or hybrid
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
The Smithsonian Office of Internships provides high school students with the opportunity to gain experience in the world’s largest museum, education, and research institution. There are a variety of virtual, hybrid, and in-person internship opportunities across its various museums, including the National Museum of Natural History, National Portrait Gallery, and National Museum of the American Indian.
57. The Metropolitan Museum of Art High School Internship
Ages: Sophomores and Juniors
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s largest art museums, places high school interns with staff in departments including social media, design, curatorial work, education and imaging. The paid internship asks for no prior study of art or art history. Interns who finish receive a $1,100 stipend; most recently, the summer opened with a bootcamp on July 1, followed by 40 hours of departmental work from July 7 through August 7, 2026. Applicants must be in 10th or 11th grade and both reside and go to school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.
58. Art Institute of Chicago Summer Internship
Ages: 16–19
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced (June 30 in 2026)
The Art Institute of Chicago's paid summer internship brings Chicago high school students together to support festivals, gallery tours, and workshops that serve thousands of local and international visitors. Interns work with museum professionals, go behind the scenes, connect with the museum's collection, meet local artists, and plan and host creative programs. Applicants must be Chicago high school students who will be at least 16 when the internship starts.
59. CITYarts Internship
Ages: 16–18
Location: New York, NY
Timeline: School Year and Summer
Deadline: Rolling
CITYarts brings young people together with professional artists to create public art, such as murals and mosaics. Talented students are invited to apply for internships that offer arts training, hands-on experience with real projects and artists, and school credit (stipends are for interns 18 and older). Positions are available in fields such as:
- Design and Social Media
- Development
- Photo/Video
- PR/Marketing Internship
- Projects Internship
60. Chicago Philharmonic Summer Internship
Ages: 14–18
Location: Chicago, IL
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Not yet announced
The Chicago Philharmonic Summer Internship is a paid program for Chicago high school students, and the orchestra selects four interns each summer. It provides opportunities in a variety of fields, including:
- Arts administration
- Community engagement
- Development
- Marketing
- Operations
Students receive training, mentorship, and a musical performance guided by Chicago Philharmonic musicians while learning the business side of running an orchestra. The program has no online application form, so students interested in applying should email the orchestra’s Community Engagement Coordinator about timing and required materials.
Cold Outreach Strategy for High School Internships
If none of the opportunities listed above are right for you, cold outreach is a smart next step to landing a position. Many people find cold outreach intimidating, but the template and tips below make the process simple.
How to Find Companies to Reach Out to for a High School Internship
The professional networking site LinkedIn is a great place to find small companies and organizations willing to take on a high school intern. Smaller groups are excellent internship targets as they’re often shorthanded and more willing to take on a high school-aged student.
Try to establish personal connections when reaching out to professionals, such as coming from the same hometown, sharing a passion for a particular cause, or loving the same sports team—it creates rapport, makes your message feel personal, and improves response rates.
Keep your safety in mind when reaching out to people you don’t know and schedule meetings and interviews online, which is the safest option.
How to Find Professors to Reach Out to for a High School Research Position
Search university staff directories online to identify professors who might take on a high school research assistant. Just know, remote research roles are rare—in most cases, professors rely on high school interns for in-person, hands-on tasks like maintaining lab equipment or assisting with basic procedures, which don’t translate to a remote setting.
One notable exception is computational research. These roles often involve working with large datasets and typically require a basic understanding of programming languages like Python or R. The good news is that you can build these skills on your own in a few months using free resources, such as Coursera’s Python for Everybody or R Programming courses.
How to Structure and Send Outreach Emails
Success with cold outreach is often a numbers game, and the more inquiries you make, the better the odds of landing a position. We recommend sending at least 50 emails to potential internship providers.
When emailing possible internship hosts, include a Google link to your resume. Links work better than attachments like PDFs and Docs, which can trigger spam filters. Limit your resume to a single page, include any relevant work experience, and make sure the link’s settings allow anyone with it to view its contents.
If you don’t have a resume or want to polish your current one before sending it out, our resume template and guide are packed with information about creating an internship-earning resume. The University of Chicago’s resume toolkit is another valuable resource.
Email Template for Finding a High School Internship
If you are unsure how to structure your outreach emails to potential internship providers, here are some basic templates you can customize to your needs.
Template for Finding an Internship
Subject: Student Reaching Out
Dear Mr./Ms.____,
I hope you are having a great day! My name is [your name], and I am a rising [grade] at [your school]. I read about your company on LinkedIn and found the concept quite interesting. For context, [briefly state how the company relates to your interests or experience].
I was wondering if you might be looking for interns. I know I would have a great deal to learn from working with you, and I would love to contribute in any way I can. I have included my resume here. Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Template for Finding a Research Position
Subject: Student Reaching Out
Dear Professor/Dr. ____,
I hope you are having a great day! My name is [your name], and I am a rising [grade] at [your school]. I recently read your paper on [restate the abstract] in [name of publication] and was quite intrigued by [part you found interesting]. I was wondering if I might be able to intern for you over this summer. [Elaborate on your relevant skills and experience and why you are passionate about the field.]
I have included my resume here. Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Conclusion
Whether you’re applying to official programs or reaching out on your own, persistence is key when searching for a high school internship or research opportunity. These roles can be challenging to land, but most students find the experience well worth the effort as they begin building a foundation for their future careers.
If you found this guide useful, be sure to save it or share it with a friend—and best of luck in your internship search!
