15 Best High School Internships in Texas 2026

Everything’s Bigger in Texas—Including Opportunities

Texas dominates America’s economic landscape as the nation’s second-largest economy with unmatched diversity spanning energy, aerospace, healthcare, technology, and agriculture. Internships for high school students in Texas extend from NASA Johnson Space Center’s astronaut training in Houston to semiconductor innovation in Austin, from oil and gas operations across Houston and Midland to biomedical research at MD Anderson Cancer Center, from technology startups in Dallas-Fort Worth to cattle ranching in West Texas. The Lone Star State’s massive geography—spanning 268,000 square miles from Gulf Coast to desert, East Texas forests to Hill Country—creates regional economic specializations each offering unique career pathways for ambitious students.

From space exploration at America’s premier human spaceflight center to cutting-edge cancer research at world-renowned institutions, state government service in Austin to Fortune 500 corporate headquarters dotting Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, Texas offers professional experiences reflecting its status as America’s business capital. The state’s 54 Fortune 500 headquarters (more than any other state), no state income tax attracting global corporations, a business-friendly environment, and explosive population growth create consistent internship demand. Students can explore opportunities from urban centers rivaling high school internships in NYC to regional cities like high school internships in Kansas City, MO, all within one state.

This guide features 15 verified high school internship programs across Texas for 2026, representing opportunities from metropolitan powerhouses (Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio) to regional centers (El Paso, Corpus Christi, Lubbock) and specialized locations whether pursuing aerospace careers unique to Houston, similar to high school internships in Florida space coast or exploring opportunities in growing metros like high school internships in Denver or high school internships in Minneapolis, Texas’s scale and diversity provide an exceptional foundation for professional success.

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15 Outstanding High School Internships Across Texas 2026

1. NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) – Johnson Space Center

• Organization: NASA Johnson Space Center – Houston
• Description: Year-long program for Texas high school juniors beginning with an online curriculum covering space exploration, Earth science, technology, and aeronautics, culminating in a competitive on-site summer experience at Johnson Space Center. Top students (approximately 200 selected from 4,000+ applicants) spend a week at NASA JSC working on team design challenges, touring Mission Control and astronaut training facilities, meeting NASA professionals, and experiencing authentic aerospace engineering projects.
• Eligibility: Texas high school juniors, strong STEM academics, competitive selection (4,000+ apply, 200 selected for on-site)
• Duration: Year-long online curriculum; 1 week on-site summer experience (June) for finalists
• Compensation: On-site experience provided at no cost, including housing, meals
• Deadline: Applications typically open fall; online curriculum begins in November
• Apply: NASA High School Aerospace Scholars

2. NASA HUNCH (High school students United with NASA to Create Hardware)

• Organization: NASA Johnson Space Center – Houston Region
• Description: Project-based learning program enabling high school students to design and build real hardware, software, and mission support products for NASA and the International Space Station. Students work through school-year projects creating flight hardware, food products for astronauts, video/media content, software applications, or design challenges with finished products potentially flown to ISS or used in NASA operations.
• Eligibility: High school students at participating Texas schools (expanding program, check website for current schools)
• Duration: Academic year, project-based
• Compensation: Educational program; products may be NASA mission-critical
• Deadline: Coordinate through participating schools
• Apply: NASA HUNCH through school participation

3. MD Anderson Cancer Center Summer Experience Program

• Organization: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center – Houston
• Description: Eight-week intensive cancer research and healthcare exposure program for high school students at the world’s #1-ranked cancer hospital. Students conduct laboratory research, observe clinical operations, attend scientific seminars, participate in professional development workshops, and explore healthcare careers while working alongside MD Anderson researchers and clinicians.
• Eligibility: High school students (typically rising juniors and seniors), strong science academics, Houston area preferred
• Duration: 8 weeks summer
• Compensation: Stipend provided
• Deadline: Applications typically open winter/early spring
• Apply: MD Anderson Education Programs or contact Office of Education

4. Texas Workforce Commission – Texas Internship Challenge

• Organization: Texas Workforce Commission – Statewide
• Description: State initiative encouraging Texas employers to create quality internships for students, including high school students, with resources for businesses and students to connect. Program promotes work-based learning across industries statewide, typically offering $12-15/hour wages (higher for in-demand sectors), with students responsible for obtaining school credit if desired.
• Eligibility: Texas high school students, varies by employer and opportunity
• Duration: Varies by employer (summer, semester, or year-round)
• Compensation: Typically $12-15/hour; higher for specialized industries
• Deadline: Ongoing year-round as employers post opportunities
• Apply: Texas Internship Challenge

5. City of Austin Youth Initiatives High School Summer Internship Programs

• Organization: City of Austin Government – Austin
• Description: Five-track summer internship program placing high school students at various city departments based on career interests including municipal operations, technology services, parks and recreation, public health, transportation, and administrative functions. Students gain public sector experience serving state capital while exploring local government careers, civic engagement, and community service.
• Eligibility: High school students, Austin area residents preferred
• Duration: Summer session (typically 6-8 weeks)
• Compensation: Paid internship wages
• Deadline: Applications open January 2026
• Apply: City of Austin Youth Initiatives

6. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Student Programs

• Organization: Texas Department of Transportation – Statewide
• Description: Engineering, transportation planning, and infrastructure internships across TxDOT’s 25 districts serving nation’s largest state highway system. Students support civil engineering projects, transportation studies, maintenance operations, technology services, or administrative functions learning about transportation infrastructure, highway engineering, and state government operations.
• Eligibility: High school and college students, STEM interest for technical positions
• Duration: Summer primarily; some semester opportunities
• Compensation: Paid positions available
• Deadline: Applications accepted year-round; priority for summer in winter/spring
• Apply: TxDOT Student Programs

7. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Internship Program

• Organization: Texas Comptroller’s Office – Austin
• Description: State government internships across fiscal operations, tax administration, economic analysis, data management, information technology, and administrative services. Students gain exposure to state finance, taxation, economic forecasting, and governmental operations at agency managing Texas’s financial resources.
• Eligibility: High school students (primarily juniors and seniors) and college students
• Duration: Fall, spring, or summer semesters
• Compensation: Both paid and unpaid positions available
• Deadline: Applications accepted ongoing; check website for specific deadlines
• Apply: Texas Comptroller Internships

8. Houston Museum of Natural Science Education Programs

• Organization: Houston Museum of Natural Science
• Description: Science education, museum operations, and public engagement opportunities at one of nation’s most-visited museums featuring paleontology, space science, energy, chemistry, and natural history exhibits. Students support educational programming, visitor services, planetarium operations, exhibit development, or special events while learning science communication and museum careers.
• Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18, Houston area
• Duration: Summer programs or academic year volunteering
• Compensation: Mix of paid positions and volunteer opportunities
• Deadline: Spring for summer programs
• Apply: Houston Museum of Natural Science volunteer/education departments

9. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden Youth Programs

• Organization: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
• Description: Horticulture, environmental education, and botanical science opportunities at 66-acre garden featuring seasonal displays and educational programming. Students support garden maintenance, visitor services, educational programs, special events, or horticultural operations learning plant science, landscape design, and environmental education.
• Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18, Dallas-Fort Worth area
• Duration: Summer programs or school year positions
• Compensation: Mix of paid and volunteer opportunities
• Deadline: Winter/spring for summer positions
• Apply: Dallas Arboretum education or volunteer services

10. San Antonio Zoo Conservation Programs

• Organization: San Antonio Zoo
• Description: Wildlife conservation, zoology, and animal science internships at 56-acre zoo housing 3,500+ animals representing 750+ species with strong conservation focus. Students support animal care departments, conservation education, visitor engagement, habitat maintenance, or zoo operations learning zoology, wildlife biology, and conservation careers.
• Eligibility: High school students ages 15-18, San Antonio area, outdoor work capability
• Duration: Summer programs or school year volunteering
• Compensation: Mix of paid internships and volunteer positions
• Deadline: Winter/spring for summer programs
• Apply: San Antonio Zoo volunteer/education departments

11. Texas School District Career & Technical Education Internships – Statewide

• Organization: Multiple Texas School Districts Statewide
• Description: School-coordinated work-based learning internships placing students with local employers in healthcare, IT, business, engineering, energy, hospitality, skilled trades, and agriculture. Major districts including Houston ISD, Dallas ISD, Austin ISD, Fort Worth ISD, San Antonio ISD, and hundreds of districts statewide partner with regional businesses creating locally-relevant opportunities.
• Eligibility: Students enrolled in participating districts’ CTE programs
• Duration: Summer or semester placements, flexible schedules
• Compensation: Varies – many paid by employers, others for school credit
• Deadline: Coordinate through school CTE coordinators (typically winter/spring)
• Apply: Contact your high school’s CTE coordinator or career counselor

12. Houston Methodist Hospital Student Programs

• Organization: Houston Methodist Hospital System
• Description: Healthcare career exploration and volunteer programs at premier hospital system (U.S. News top-ranked) across eight Houston-area hospitals. Students gain clinical exposure, patient support experience, hospital operations understanding, and healthcare career exploration through structured volunteer programs supporting nursing units, patient services, clinical departments, and administrative functions.
• Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18 depending on program, background checks and health screenings required
• Duration: Summer programs or school year volunteering
• Compensation: Volunteer (unpaid) providing healthcare experience and recommendations
• Deadline: Winter/spring for summer programs
• Apply: Houston Methodist volunteer services at individual hospitals

13. Texas State Capitol Internship Program

• Organization: Texas Legislature / State Capitol – Austin
• Description: Government and policy internships with state legislators, legislative committees, or Capitol offices during legislative sessions (odd-numbered years) or interim periods. Students observe legislative processes, assist with constituent services, conduct policy research, attend committee hearings, and learn about state government and political careers.
• Eligibility: High school students (primarily juniors and seniors), interest in government and policy
• Duration: Varies – summer or during legislative session
• Compensation: Many unpaid; some legislators offer paid positions
• Deadline: Contact individual legislators’ offices directly
• Apply: Direct contact with Texas House and Senate members’ offices

14. Ladder Internship Program

• Organization: Ladder Internships
• Description: Selective remote startup internship program connecting high school students with high-growth technology companies nationally (5-10 hours weekly). Students work on real projects spanning technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, consulting, and fintech with YCombinator alumni and venture-backed startups, accessible from anywhere in Texas via remote format.
• Eligibility: High school students globally, entrepreneurial mindset
• Duration: 8-12 weeks flexible, part-time (5-10 hours weekly)
• Compensation: Varies by company
• Deadline: Rolling admissions; main summer deadline May 11
• Apply: Ladder Internships

15. Regional Texas Hospital Systems Volunteer Programs – Statewide

• Organization: Various Healthcare Systems (Baylor Scott & White, Texas Health Resources, Christus Health, HCA Texas, etc.)
• Description: Healthcare volunteer and career exploration programs at regional hospital systems throughout Texas major cities and communities. Students gain clinical exposure, patient support experience, healthcare career exploration in diverse hospital settings from major medical centers to community hospitals across Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, and smaller Texas cities.
• Eligibility: Local high school students ages 14-18, varies by system
• Duration: Summer programs or school year volunteering
• Compensation: Volunteer (unpaid) providing healthcare experience
• Deadline: Winter/spring for summer programs
• Apply: Contact local hospital volunteer services departments directly

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How to Apply for Texas Internships

Understanding Texas’s Regional Diversity

Texas’s 268,000 square miles create distinct economic regions: Houston (energy capital, NASA, Texas Medical Center, Port of Houston), Dallas-Fort Worth (corporate headquarters, telecommunications, defense contractors, finance), Austin (state capital, technology hub, semiconductors, University of Texas), San Antonio (military bases, healthcare, tourism), West Texas (Permian Basin oil/gas, agriculture), Gulf Coast (petrochemicals, maritime), Border Region (international trade, manufacturing). Each region offers specialized opportunities beyond what single cities provide in states like high school internships in Massachusetts or high school internships in Minnesota.

Application Timeline

Fall 2025: NASA HAS applications open (online curriculum begins November). Begin researching competitive programs.

Winter 2026: City of Austin applications open January. MD Anderson, Texas Comptroller, TxDOT recruit. Peak application season begins.

Spring 2026: Most healthcare volunteers, museums, zoos, botanical gardens finalize summer programs. School CTE coordination. Texas Workforce Commission opportunities ongoing.

Summer 2026: Programs begin statewide.

Required Documents

Resume, cover letters, transcripts, 2-3 recommendations, work permits (Texas requires for under-18), background/health checks (healthcare).

Application Methods

Online for NASA, state government (Austin, Comptroller, TxDOT), Texas Workforce Commission, major city programs. Direct contact for hospitals, museums, zoos. Through schools for CTE programs statewide.

Strengthening Applications

Emphasize Texas pride: Programs value state residents committed to Texas growth. Show regional understanding: Demonstrate knowledge of regional economies beyond just Houston or Dallas. Highlight relevant skills: Space programs value STEM, energy programs seek technical aptitude, healthcare needs compassion. Leverage CTE programs: Excellent entry point through school partnerships. Quantify achievements.

Interview Tips

Business professional for corporate, NASA, state government. Business casual for healthcare, museums, nonprofits. Texas-appropriate attire: Professional but climate-conscious given heat. Demonstrate Texas values: Work ethic, friendliness, independent spirit. Research organization’s Texas connection. Follow up within 24 hours.

Transportation

Personal vehicle essential for most Texas opportunities given state’s size and limited public transit outside downtown Dallas, Houston, Austin cores. Distance planning: Houston to Dallas (240 miles), Houston to Austin (165 miles), Dallas to San Antonio (275 miles)—residential programs or housing considerations may be needed for distant opportunities. School programs sometimes coordinate transportation for local placements.

Resources

• Individual school district CTE offices statewide
• Texas Workforce Commission regional centers
• Local chambers of commerce (major cities)
• University career services (community programs)
• Regional workforce development boards

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Texas high school internships paid?

Yes, many offer compensation including Texas Workforce Commission positions ($12-15/hour typical), City of Austin (paid), TxDOT (paid positions), some Texas Comptroller roles (paid), MD Anderson (stipend), Houston Methodist and regional healthcare systems primarily volunteer (unpaid but valuable experience), school CTE placements (many employer-paid), while NASA HAS provides on-site experience at no cost.

Where are internships located besides major cities?

NASA (Houston Clear Lake), MD Anderson (Houston Medical Center), regional opportunities throughout 25 TxDOT districts statewide, Texas Workforce Commission programs in all major cities and towns, school CTE placements coordinated locally in hundreds of districts from El Paso to Amarillo to Corpus Christi, plus regional hospital systems in mid-sized cities like Lubbock, Waco, Tyler, Midland-Odessa, Beaumont creating accessible opportunities beyond Houston-Dallas-Austin-San Antonio metros.

How competitive is NASA High School Aerospace Scholars?

Extremely competitive with 4,000+ Texas high school juniors applying annually for approximately 200 spots in on-site summer experience (5% acceptance rate). Program requires strong STEM academics, completion of rigorous online curriculum, competitive selection through assessments and evaluations, making it one of nation’s most prestigious high school programs rivaling high school internships in Washington, DC federal opportunities.

Does Texas offer energy industry internships?

Yes, through Texas Workforce Commission connecting students with energy companies, Houston area oil/gas corporations and petrochemical firms, TxDOT infrastructure supporting energy sector, school CTE programs partnering with regional energy employers particularly in Houston, Permian Basin (Midland-Odessa), Gulf Coast, plus direct employer applications to major energy companies headquartered in Texas (ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Halliburton, Schlumberger).

Can students access opportunities across Texas?

Yes, though transportation challenges given Texas size—NASA HAS provides on-site housing for week-long experience, regional programs accessible locally through schools, major city opportunities may require relocation or long commutes, remote positions (Ladder Internships) accessible statewide, and families occasionally arrange temporary housing for premier opportunities like MD Anderson summer programs.

What makes Texas unique for internships?

Texas offers 54 Fortune 500 headquarters (most of any state), NASA Johnson Space Center (America’s human spaceflight center), Texas Medical Center (world’s largest medical complex, 21 hospitals including MD Anderson), massive geographic diversity enabling regional specialization (energy, aerospace, technology, agriculture, healthcare), no state income tax attracting business growth, and scale providing opportunities from high school internships in NYC-level urban sophistication to high school internships in Katy, TX suburban accessibility—all within one state.

Are suburban students near major cities covered?

Yes—students in suburbs like high school internships in Katy, TX (Houston area), Plano/Frisco (Dallas), Round Rock (Austin), or suburban San Antonio access major city opportunities through school CTE programs coordinating local placements, regional hospital systems serving suburban areas, Texas Workforce Commission operating statewide, NASA HAS accepting all Texas students, and commuting to urban centers for premier programs like MD Anderson.

How does Texas compare to other large states?

Texas excels with 54 Fortune 500 headquarters versus California (53) and New York (50+), NASA human spaceflight center unique globally, no state income tax versus high-tax states like high school internships in Massachusetts or high school internships in NYC, geographic diversity creating regional specializations, though challenges include transportation needs (personal vehicles essential) and extreme distances between opportunities compared to compact Northeastern states like high school internships in Delaware or high school internships in Maryland.

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Explore More Internship Opportunities

Texas Suburbs:

• High School Internships in Katy, TX – Houston area opportunities

Major Metro Areas:

• High School Internships in NYC – Global capital
• High School Internships in Washington, DC – Federal government
• High School Internships in Los Angeles – Entertainment capital

Growing Regions:

• High School Internships in Denver – Aerospace and energy
• High School Internships in Miami – International business
• High School Internships in Alpharetta, GA – Technology corridor
• High School Internships in Augusta, GA – Cybersecurity

Midwest Excellence:

• High School Internships in Minneapolis – Fortune 500 density
• High School Internships in Kansas City, MO – Regional hub
• High School Internships in Milwaukee, WI – Manufacturing

Mid-Atlantic:

• High School Internships in Jersey City, NJ – NYC metro
• High School Internships in Delaware – Corporate headquarters
• High School Internships in Maryland – Federal research

Southeast:

• High School Internships in Florida – Space coast

Statewide:

• High School Internships in Massachusetts – Biotech excellence
• High School Internships in Minnesota – Regional opportunities

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Final Thoughts

Internships for high school students in Texas leverage the Lone Star State’s unmatched combination of 54 Fortune 500 headquarters, NASA Johnson Space Center human spaceflight leadership, Texas Medical Center healthcare excellence, and massive geographic diversity creating specialized regional opportunities. Start with NASA HAS for aerospace excellence, explore MD Anderson for cancer research, utilize Texas Workforce Commission and school CTE programs for local connections, and apply to 8-12 opportunities across Texas’s vast economy for transformative professional growth in America’s business capital where everything—including opportunities—truly is bigger.

Questions? Contact program coordinators or your school’s career counselor for Texas-specific internship guidance.