Internship Global

As a high school student, you’re standing at the threshold of your future career. While your classes provide a solid foundation of knowledge, there’s an incredible opportunity waiting for you beyond the classroom walls: summer internships. These programs offer a unique chance to dip your toes into the professional world, gain invaluable experience, and potentially discover your passion.

Summer internships for high school students have become increasingly popular and accessible in recent years. They offer a myriad of benefits that can significantly impact your personal and professional growth:

• Real-world Experience: Internships provide a taste of what it’s like to work in a professional environment, helping you understand workplace dynamics and expectations.
• Skill Development: You’ll have the opportunity to learn new skills and apply your existing knowledge in practical situations.
• Career Exploration: By experiencing different industries firsthand, you can make more informed decisions about your future career path and college major.
• Networking: You’ll meet professionals in your field of interest, potentially forming connections that could be valuable for future opportunities.
• College Application Boost: Internship experience can make your college applications stand out, demonstrating initiative, responsibility, and real-world skills.
• Personal Growth: The challenges and experiences of an internship can boost your confidence, improve your communication skills, and enhance your ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Types of Summer Internships Available

Summer internships for high school students come in various forms, catering to different interests, skills, and career aspirations. Here are the main types of internships you might encounter:

Corporate Internships

Many large companies offer internship programs specifically designed for high school students. These internships provide insight into the corporate world and often focus on areas such as:

• Technology and Software Development (e.g., Microsoft High School Internship Program)
• Finance and Banking (e.g., Bank of America Student Leaders Program)
• Engineering (e.g., Northrop Grumman High School Involvement Partnership)
• Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

Research Internships

For students passionate about science, medicine, or technology, research internships offer the chance to work alongside scientists and contribute to cutting-edge projects. These internships are typically found at:

• Universities (e.g., The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program)
• Government Research Facilities (e.g., NASA High School Internship Program)
• Private Research Institutions (e.g., The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program)

Non-Profit and Community Service Internships

These internships are perfect for students who want to make a difference in their communities. They offer experience in:

• Social Services
• Environmental Conservation
• Education
• Arts and Culture

Examples include the American Red Cross Leadership Development Center and various local non-profit organizations. These internships often focus on developing leadership skills and understanding social issues.

Government Internships

Several government agencies offer internships to high school students, providing insight into public service and policy-making. These can include:

• Local Government Offices
• State Agencies
• Federal Programs (e.g., The United States Secret Service Student Volunteer Program)

Government internships can offer unique perspectives on how policies are developed and implemented, and how public services are managed.

Entrepreneurship Programs

For students with an entrepreneurial spirit, some organizations offer programs that simulate or support the process of starting and running a business. These might include:

• Startup Incubators for Young Entrepreneurs
• Business Plan Competitions
• Youth Entrepreneurship Workshops

Arts and Media Internships

Students interested in creative fields can find internships in areas such as:

• Museums (e.g., The Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship Program)
• Theaters and Performance Venues
• Media Outlets (TV stations, Newspapers, Online Publications)
• Advertising and Marketing Agencies

Comprehensive List of Summer Internship Programs for High School Students

Below are various Summer Internship Programs for High School Students categorized into locations, qualifications, application timelines, whether is a paid or unpaid and also if there is accommodation or not.

Microsoft High School Internship Program

• Location: Redmond, WA (some remote opportunities may be available)
• Qualifications: Current high school students with an interest in technology
• Application timeline: Typically opens in fall for the following summer
• Nature of the internship: Technology and software development
• Compensation: Paid
• Accommodation: Not provided, but relocation assistance may be available

Google Computer Science Summer Institute

• Location: Multiple Google offices across the USA
• Qualifications: Current high school seniors with an interest in computer science
• Application timeline: Opens in winter for the following summer
• Nature of the internship: Intensive computer science program
• Compensation: Unpaid, but all program costs are covered
• Accommodation: Provided for the duration of the program

Bank of America Student Leaders Program

• Location: Various locations across the USA
• Qualifications: Current juniors and seniors committed to community service
• Application timeline: Opens in fall, closes in January
• Nature of the internship: Community development and nonprofit work
• Compensation: Paid
• Accommodation: Not provided

NASA High School Internship Program

• Location: Various NASA centers across the USA
• Qualifications: High school students aged 16 and above, with a strong interest in STEM
• Application timeline: Varies, but generally opens several months before each season
• Nature of the internship: STEM research and projects
• Compensation: Stipend provided
• Accommodation: Not provided, but some locations offer housing resources

Smithsonian Internship Program

• Location: Washington, D.C. and New York City
• Qualifications: High school students aged 16 and above
• Application timeline: Deadlines vary by unit, generally in early spring for summer internships
• Nature of the internship: Museum studies, history, science, and culture
• Compensation: Unpaid, but some stipends may be available
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Boston Museum of Science Internship Program

• Location: Boston, MA
• Qualifications: High school students aged 14-18 in the greater Boston area
• Application timeline: Applications typically due in March
• Nature of the internship: Science education and museum operations
• Compensation: Unpaid
• Accommodation: Not provided

Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Program

• Location: Multiple locations across the USA (and online options)
• Qualifications: Current sophomores, juniors, and seniors with strong math skills
• Application timeline: Opens in winter for the following summer
• Nature of the internship: Engineering education and projects
• Compensation: Unpaid (it’s an educational program, not a traditional internship)
• Accommodation: Not provided for in-person programs; N/A for online

American Red Cross Leadership Development Center

• Location: Various locations across the USA
• Qualifications: High school students aged 14-18
• Application timeline: Varies by location, typically in spring
• Nature of the internship: Community service and leadership development
• Compensation: Unpaid
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Library of Congress Junior Fellows Summer Internship Program

• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Qualifications: High school seniors (and undergraduate/graduate students)
• Application timeline: Applications typically due in November
• Nature of the internship: Library sciences, history, and cultural preservation
• Compensation: Paid stipend
• Accommodation: Not provided

Cisco High School STEM Program

• Location: Various Cisco offices in the USA
• Qualifications: Current high school juniors and seniors interested in STEM
• Application timeline: Opens in winter for the following summer
• Nature of the internship: Technology and networking
• Compensation: Paid
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Scripps Research Institute’s High School Student Program

• Location: La Jolla, CA and Jupiter, FL
• Qualifications: Current high school juniors and seniors with a strong interest in biomedical research
• Application timeline: Applications typically due in February
• Nature of the internship: Biomedical research
• Compensation: Paid stipend
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Cooper Union Summer STEM Program

• Location: New York City, NY
• Qualifications: Rising juniors and seniors with strong academic records
• Application timeline: Applications usually open in January
• Nature of the internship: Engineering and design projects
• Compensation: Unpaid (it’s an educational program)
• Accommodation: Not provided, but available for additional cost

The Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program

• Location: Princeton, NJ
• Qualifications: High school students aged 16 and above with a strong interest in science
• Application timeline: Applications typically due in March
• Nature of the internship: Scientific research
• Compensation: Unpaid
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

• Location: Various locations across the USA
• Qualifications: High school students with an interest in fisheries science
• Application timeline: Applications usually due in February
• Nature of the internship: Fisheries research and management
• Compensation: Paid stipend
• Accommodation: Not provided, but some support may be available

The Microsoft DigiGirlz High Tech Camp

• Location: Multiple Microsoft locations across the USA
• Qualifications: High school girls interested in technology
• Application timeline: Varies by location, typically in spring
• Nature of the internship: Technology workshops and career exploration
• Compensation: Unpaid (it’s an educational program)
• Accommodation: Not provided

The United States Secret Service Student Volunteer Program

• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Qualifications: High school juniors and seniors aged 16 and above
• Application timeline: Ongoing, but apply several months in advance
• Nature of the internship: Law enforcement and security operations
• Compensation: Unpaid
• Accommodation: Not provided

The J. Craig Venter Institute Summer Internship Program

• Location: La Jolla, CA and Rockville, MD
• Qualifications: High school students aged 16 and above interested in genomics and bioinformatics
• Application timeline: Applications typically due in March
• Nature of the internship: Genomics research
• Compensation: Paid stipend
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Adler Planetarium High School Internship

• Location: Chicago, IL
• Qualifications: Chicago-area high school students interested in astronomy and space science
• Application timeline: Applications usually due in spring
• Nature of the internship: Astronomy education and public outreach
• Compensation: Paid
• Accommodation: Not provided

The National Security Agency (NSA) High School Work Study Program

• Location: Fort Meade, MD
• Qualifications: High school juniors and seniors with strong academic records
• Application timeline: Applications typically due in fall for the following summer
• Nature of the internship: Cybersecurity and intelligence analysis
• Compensation: Paid
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species Summer Program

• Location: New Orleans, LA
• Qualifications: High school students interested in conservation biology
• Application timeline: Applications usually due in April
• Nature of the internship: Wildlife Conservation Research
• Compensation: Unpaid
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship Program

• Location: Los Angeles County, CA
• Qualifications: High school seniors and college undergraduates from underrepresented groups
• Application timeline: Applications typically due in February
• Nature of the internship: Museum and visual arts administration
• Compensation: Paid
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Brookhaven National Laboratory High School Research Program

• Location: Upton, NY
• Qualifications: High school juniors and seniors with strong interest in STEM
• Application timeline: Applications usually due in March
• Nature of the internship: Scientific research in various fields
• Compensation: Paid stipend
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program

1. Location: New York City, NY
2. Qualifications: High school students aged 16 and above with interest in biomedical research
3. Application timeline: Applications typically due in March
4. Nature of the internship: Biomedical research
5. Compensation: Paid stipend
6. Accommodation: Not provided

The American Museum of Natural History Science Research Mentoring Program

• Location: New York City, NY
• Qualifications: High school students from underrepresented backgrounds
• Application timeline: Applications usually due in spring
• Nature of the internship: Scientific research in various fields
• Compensation: Stipend provided
• Accommodation: Not provided

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) High School Summer Internship Program

• Location: Bethesda, MD and other NIH locations
• Qualifications: High school students aged 17 and above
• Application timeline: Applications typically due in March
• Nature of the internship: Biomedical research
• Compensation: Paid stipend
• Accommodation: Not provided, but some housing resources available

The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University

• Location: Stony Brook, NY
• Qualifications: High school students completing their junior year
• Application timeline: Applications usually due in March
• Nature of the internship: STEM research
• Compensation: Paid stipend
• Accommodation: On-campus housing provided

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Summer High School Internship Program

• Location: Seattle, WA
• Qualifications: High school students from underrepresented backgrounds
• Application timeline: Applications typically due in February
• Nature of the internship: Biomedical research
• Compensation: Paid stipend
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Exploration School Summer Programs

• Location: Various locations across the USA
• Qualifications: Students entering grades 8-12
• Application timeline: Rolling admissions, apply early for best availability
• Nature of the internship: Various fields including STEM, business, and arts
• Compensation: Unpaid (it’s an educational program)
• Accommodation: Provided as part of the program

The Northrop Grumman High School Involvement Partnership

• Location: Various Northrop Grumman sites across the USA
• Qualifications: High school juniors with interest in STEM
• Application timeline: Varies by location, typically in fall
• Nature of the internship: Engineering and technology
• Compensation: Paid
• Accommodation: Not provided

The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

• Location: Bar Harbor, ME and Farmington, CT
• Qualifications: High school students aged 16 and above
• Application timeline: Applications typically due in February
• Nature of the internship: Genetic and genomic research
• Compensation: Paid stipend
• Accommodation: Provided

The Space Telescope Science Institute Space Astronomy Summer Program

• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Qualifications: High school students interested in astronomy and physics
• Application timeline: Applications usually due in February
• Nature of the internship: Astronomy research
• Compensation: Paid stipend
• Accommodation: Not provided

Internship Types

Tags: high school students, Summer internships