Why do internships in high school?
Before we dive into a comprehensive list of computer science internships for high school students in New York, it’s essential to understand why these opportunities can be pivotal for your future. According to PRISM, a consultancy, 70% of students attending a top 50 university as ranked by U.S. News have completed at least one internship while in high school. Engaging in these internships helps you stand out in the college admissions process by demonstrating your commitment to exploring your career interests. Specifically, computer science internships will give you a clearer understanding of the tech environments and roles you enjoy, making it easier to target a job you love after graduation. Additionally, high school students who complete internships often find it easier to secure college internships and join pre-professional organizations like tech clubs or coding teams.
Participating in high school computer science internships can help you develop essential skills such as programming in Python, Java, and C++, software development, data analysis, and problem-solving. You may also gain exposure to emerging technologies like AI, cybersecurity, and machine learning. These skills can lead to careers as software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity analysts, and IT consultants. Starting early gives you a solid foundation for advanced studies and future tech job opportunities.
How to Find Computer Science Internships for High School Students in New York
To find computer science internships in New York, start with online search tools and comprehensive lists. The StandOutSearch database is a valuable resource, offering a vast collection of internship programs tailored for high school students and searchable by interest area. Additionally, MIT Admissions provides a curated list of High School Internships, which can be an excellent starting point.
While official programs are a great option, they can be highly competitive. To increase your chances of securing a summer internship, consider developing a cold outreach strategy by proactively contacting companies and professionals in the computer science industry to inquire about internship opportunities. At the end of this article, you will find detailed guidance on crafting an effective cold outreach strategy, including email templates to help you confidently reach out to potential mentors and organizations. This dual approach of applying to official programs and conducting cold outreach will enhance your chances of finding a rewarding internship in computer science.
10 Computer Science Internships for High School Students in New York
Most of the computer science internships for high school students in New York below have an acceptance rate of 20% or lower, given that there are many more high school students looking for internships relative to official programs that provide them. We recommend choosing at least five opportunities to apply to. If you see an opportunity that excites you, take a moment to write the deadline on your calendar!
Ages: 15-19
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Summer, Spring, Fall, or Winter
Deadline: Various Deadlines
StandOut Connect is a program created thanks to investment from The University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Innovation that matches high school students with internships. Students interview with potential mentors who are leaders and innovators within their area of interest until they are hired for a two-month internship. Many students then receive optional return offers to continue with their internship for as long as they would like.
Ages: Freshman - Junior
Location: New York City
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 14
CS4CS is an introduction to the fundamentals of cybersecurity and computer science for high school students with any or no background experience in cybersecurity or computer programming. Throughout the program, students will learn from lessons focused on a spectrum of topics such as “white-hat” hacking, cryptography, steganography, digital forensics, privacy, data usage, and other issues relevant to the fast-growing cyber industry.
Ages: Sophomore to Senior
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Summer, Fall
Deadline: Varies for each program
NASA STEM Gateway offers students a variety of research and internship opportunities involving AI & ML, data preprocessing, and the application of complex algorithms. Interns will get to gain practical work experience while working side-by-side with mentors who are research scientists, engineers, and individuals from many other professions.
Ages: 16 and above
Location: New York City
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 4
Live on the Columbia University campus and take courses led by the university’s professors. Courses span from introduction to basic programming, data science, AI & ML, and cryptocurrencies.
Ages: Freshman - Senior
Location: New York City
Timeline: School Year
Deadline: Varies for programs
New-York Historical Society offers a robust suite of digital humanities programs for high school students year-round in the Tech Commons. Projects include podcasts, websites, mapping, extended reality (VR/AR), and digital games. One upcoming program focuses on web design where interns will learn HTML and CSS to create websites focused on sharing powerful stories about women in history.
Ages: Sophomore and Juniors
Location: New York City
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 1
This seven-week program includes: a high level, 5-week authentic research experience in participating NYU faculty labs, mentoring in that placement by a graduate or postdoctoral student, and a stipend of at least $750 for completing the program. Interns can conduct research in data science, AI/ML, and VR/AR.
Ages: 14-16
Location: New York City
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: April 14
Accelerate your STEM skills and dive deeper into the science behind urban infrastructure with Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC). ieSoSC is a follow-up to the Science of Smart Cities program for middle school students; it is designed for high school students to take their skills in computer science, engineering and technology to a new level and gain hands-on experience designing prototypes for smart city solutions.
Ages: 13-17
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Fall, Spring
Deadline: July 1
The Junior Academy is a project-based learning program where students form international teams and work with STEM experts through an online community platform. Students participate in innovation challenges where they collaborate under the guidance of STEM mentors to design solutions to real-world problems. Students and mentors can participate from anywhere in the world.
Ages: 15-17
Location: New York City
Timeline: Spring, Summer
Deadline: December 22
The STEM Research Academy is a two‐semester program, consisting of a spring pre‐college science course and the opportunity to conduct hands-on research with CUNY faculty members in a summer research experience. The Academy is designed to provide students with an opportunity to build essential literacy and numeracy skills by engaging in ‘authentic inquiry’ activities.
Ages: 14-18
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 7
The Simons Summer Research Program gives academically talented, motivated high school students the opportunity to engage in hands-on research in science, math or engineering at Stony Brook University. Simons Fellows work with distinguished faculty mentors, learn laboratory techniques and tools, become part of active research teams, and experience life at a research university.
Cold Outreach Strategy for High School Internships
If the opportunities listed above don’t turn out to be a fit, the next step to finding computer science internships for high school students in New York is to launch a cold outreach strategy. This may seem intimidating at first, but the guide below should make it much more simple. As an added note, please exercise caution when reaching out to professionals you don’t know. It is always safest to interview or meet virtually.
How to Find Companies to Reach Out to for a High School Internship
Use LinkedIn to find small tech firms and startups where you can assist with coding, software development, data analysis, or IT support. Smaller firms are typically more open to hiring high school students due to their flexible staffing needs. When reaching out, seek personal connections with professionals, such as being from the same area, attending the same school, or sharing common interests. Personalizing your outreach can boost your chances of a positive response. Focusing on smaller companies and leveraging these connections can help you secure a valuable computer science internship in New York.
How to Find Professors to Reach Out to for a High School Research Position
You can use online university staff directories to find professors to contact for computer science research positions. Remote opportunities can be challenging to secure, as professors often prefer high school students for in-person tasks. However, for computational research, remote positions are more feasible if you have basic knowledge of Python or R to analyze large datasets. You can learn these programming languages for free using resources like Coursera’s R Programming Course or Python for Everybody.
How to Structure and Send Outreach Emails
For a successful cold-outreach strategy, aim to send at least 50 emails to potential internship providers. Be sure to include a link to your resume, which should be no more than one page while you are in high school. UChicago provides a helpful free resume template and guide. We recommend including your resume as a Google Drive link because including it as a PDF will sometimes negatively impact the deliverability of your email. However, be sure to check that the sharing settings on the document allow anyone with the link to view its contents. It can also be a good idea to include work samples in your resume, such as the link to a website you designed, a social media account you manage, or your GitHub profile.
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 are applying to established programs or launching a cold outreach strategy, the name of the game when looking for computer science internships for high school students in New York is perseverance. These opportunities can be extremely difficult to secure, but most high school students find it worth it in the end to get a head start on building their careers. If you found this article helpful, don’t forget to save it for later or share it with a friend. Good luck on your internship search journey!