12 Summer Internships for High School Students in Orange County
If you’re a high school student in Orange County, CA, local summer internships can be a practical way to explore professional interests and build early experience. The region is uniquely positioned for this kind of exploration—home to a mix of strong industries, including healthcare, technology, environmental research, business, and the arts. Local institutions such as UC Irvine, CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County), and a range of museums, nonprofits, and tech companies regularly offer structured opportunities for high school students.
Choosing a local internship in Orange County also makes it easier to take part without needing to travel or relocate. You can gain experience during the summer while still staying connected to your community and building relationships with professionals and mentors who work in the area. These connections often lead to later opportunities, including future internships, reference letters, or even part-time roles.
To help you explore what’s available, we’ve identified 12 summer internships in Orange County that provide structured mentorship, exposure to different fields, and the chance to build useful skills. Whether you’re looking to explore a specific interest or develop general workplace experience, these programs can help you take the next step.
1. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships offers a virtual, 8-week startup internship experience designed for high school students. You'll work closely with a high-growth startup, collaborating on projects and receiving guidance from both your manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. Startups in the program span industries such as AI/ML, health tech, journalism, and consulting. Most participating companies have raised over a million dollars in funding. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work to the company, gaining exposure to startup culture and industry-specific challenges.
2. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Students are placed within a 45-minute commute from their homes
Stipend: $3,000
Application Deadline: November 22 - January 19
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer with flexible start and end dates
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; 16 years old by internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship for high school students interested in fisheries and aquatic science. As a Hutton Scholar, you’ll be matched with a mentor working in your local area. Internships vary by location but may include fieldwork, lab research, data processing, and public outreach. You could take part in activities like electrofishing, water quality testing, or habitat restoration. You are required to complete biweekly time sheets and submit both a mid-summer and final report. The program provides an introduction to careers in fisheries biology and related environmental fields.
3. KP High School Program
Location: Kaiser Permanente centers across the country
Stipend: $23/hour
Application Deadline: November 18 – January 6
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Eligibility: Be ages 16 – 19 by June 1; Current high school student and/or graduating senior
The KP High School Program is a summer internship that introduces students to the non-clinical side of health care. You’ll gain exposure to administrative and operational careers at Kaiser Permanente, from finance and HR to IT and research. You’ll work closely with mentors and supervisors who provide career guidance and professional development. Weekly workshops cover topics like communication, teamwork, and goal setting. Although you don’t participate in medical procedures, you’ll learn how different departments support patient care. Networking opportunities include peer collaborations, community projects, and events with Kaiser Permanente leaders.
4. NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 9
Dates: June 2 – August 29
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors entering grade 11 or 12; have taken at least one high school biology course; Minimum (unweighted) GPA of 3.0
NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) is a 12-week asynchronous summer program focused on space biology and bioinformatics. You’ll explore genomics-based research and computational methods used to analyze NASA data. Optional weekly office hours offer up to six hours of live instruction and Q&A. Those who complete the core program can apply for the Capstone Project, where small teams analyze datasets and present their findings in a summer symposium, with top teams advancing to a national competition.
5. UCSD Bioengineering Research Scholars
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,000 - $3,000
Application Deadline: You can find the deadline for each program here.
Dates: You can find the dates for each program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 - 12 with a minimum GPA of 3.0; at least 14 years old by the start of the course.
The UCSD Bioengineering Research Scholars program offers high school students an introduction to bioengineering through experiential courses. The first course, BE-BOAT, provides foundational training in both scientific and engineering principles. You can complete lab-based activities using custom kits and engage in exercises like pre-lab planning, data collection, and post-lab analysis. Live sessions are held during weekdays and weekends, with recorded options available.
6. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) - Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Cohort Size: 25
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: Students entering 9-12 grade in the Fall, over the age of 14 by the start of the program
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual experience introducing high school students to artificial intelligence in healthcare. You’ll attend technical lectures covering AI fundamentals and their application in medical contexts. Daily sessions include mentoring activities, group-based research projects, and guest speaker events from academia, government, and industry. Career “Lunch and Learns” offers insights into different sectors working at the intersection of technology and medicine. Optional research opportunities may follow the main program for interested participants.
7. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25 application fee
Application Deadline: February 2
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Eligibility: 15 years or older by June 18
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University offers high school students a chance to engage in research across scientific fields. You’ll work one-on-one with faculty or professionals using technology and research methods. Areas of study include neuroscience, data science, bioengineering and forensic science. Alongside technical skills, the program emphasizes scientific writing, communication, and exposure to STEM careers through forums and mentorship. Your work might even contribute to scientific publications or conference presentations.
8. Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 1
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years
Stanford’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) is a two-week summer program for high school students interested in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. During the 10-day session, you’ll explore clinical and research topics through interactive lectures with Stanford faculty. You'll be introduced to fields like psychiatric epidemiology, social neuroscience, and behavioral science. You’ll work in small teams to develop solutions for mental health or neuroscience-related issues, culminating in a capstone presentation. CNI-X also includes sessions on self-care and navigating transitions into adulthood.
9. Johns Hopkins Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Dates: 5 weeks from July - August
Eligibility: Current rising juniors or seniors in high school
Johns Hopkins’ Virtual Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a five-week research program for high school juniors and seniors. The internship is conducted entirely online and covers neuroscience topics through lectures and educational content. You’ll learn basic lab techniques, engage in research-based activities, and participate in mentorship and career training. The program draws students from across the country and offers insight into the neurological sciences. At the end of the five weeks, you’ll earn a certificate for completing the experience.
10. NASA’s OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most interns receive a stipend, certain opportunities are unpaid.
Application Deadline: Summer: February 28
Dates: Summer Session: Late May to August
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0/4.0 GPA
NASA’s OSTEM Internships provide opportunities for high school students to contribute directly to NASA’s mission in science, aeronautics, technology, and space exploration. You’ll work alongside NASA professionals—ranging from research scientists and engineers to specialists in finance and IT. Internships may be full-time or part-time and are hosted at NASA centers and facilities across the country. You’ll receive mentoring and training that strengthen your technical and professional skills. These internships run in three seasonal sessions each year.
11. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Virtual / In-person at FPRI
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Rolling
Dates: Summer: June – August
Eligibility: High school students skilled in writing and research
FPRI’s online high school internship gives you an inside look at international relations. You’ll attend foreign policy seminars, assist with research, and gain experience in your selected area—communications, operations, event planning, or research. Over the course of the internship, you'll also take part in career development workshops designed to build professional skills like teamwork, time management, and communication. Interns engage in FPRI-hosted events and have opportunities to contribute to research projects with publication potential. All experiences are remote, making the program accessible from anywhere.
12. USC Center for the Political Future Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: May 19
Dates: June 1 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students; Minimum GPA of 3.5
The USC Center for the Political Future, in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute, hosts a summer internship focused on environmental policy. As a participant, you'll explore political systems by analyzing a local, state, or federal bill related to sustainability. Over the course of the program, you’ll complete two assignments—a legislative policy memo and a legislative process analysis—centered on the bill of your choosing. Whether the bill has passed, failed, or is still active, you’ll evaluate its context and impact. The program is entirely online and encourages students to apply political research skills in a structured academic setting.