10 Best Websites to Find Internships for High School Students
Exploring internships in high school is a great way to gain early exposure to different career paths, develop new skills, and understand what working in a professional environment is like. Many organizations and colleges now offer programs designed for motivated high school students, but figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. With so many resources online, it helps to know which platforms are most reliable and useful.
To make the process easier, we’ve highlighted 10 of the best websites for high school students to find internships, whether you’re looking for opportunities in your local area or remote options that you can pursue from anywhere.
1. LinkedIn
While often thought of as a professional networking site, LinkedIn is also a powerful tool for finding internships.
How it works: Companies of all sizes, from startups to multinational corporations, post internship opportunities on LinkedIn. To be considered for these, it’s important to create a profile highlighting your skills, interests, and any relevant experience. You can then search for internships using keywords like "high school intern," "student intern," and your specific fields of interest. LinkedIn also allows you to follow companies that you’re interested to intern with and receive notifications about new job and internship postings. Networking is also a key aspect – reaching out and connecting with professionals in your chosen fields can be a powerful way to learn about unadvertised opportunities.
Finding the right fit: Use specific keywords related to your interests (e.g., "high school marketing intern New York," "student research assistant biology"). Filter your search by location and experience level. Read the job descriptions carefully to understand the responsibilities and qualifications. Look at the company's profile to learn more about the work culture and values.
2. Indeed
Similar in some ways to LinkedIn, Indeed is a comprehensive job search engine that also lists a wide variety of internships.
How it works: Indeed aggregates job and internship postings from various company websites, job boards, and staffing agencies, making it a central hub for your search. Its user-friendly interface allows you to easily search by keyword, location, and other criteria. You can also set up email alerts to be notified when new internships matching your criteria are posted. Indeed often includes company reviews, which can provide insights into the work environment.
Finding the right fit: Be specific with your search terms (e.g., "high school student internship engineering," "summer internship for high school students finance"). Utilize the filters to narrow down your results by job type (internship), location, and date posted. Pay attention to the required skills and qualifications to ensure you are a good match.
3. Ladder Internships Blog
In addition to its internship program for high school students, Ladder publishes a blog dedicated to helping high school students find the best opportunities across different fields and locations. Each internship mentioned comes with detailed guides on internships in business, STEM, healthcare, law, nonprofits, and more.
How it works:
The blog curates lists of opportunities each week, making it easier to narrow down your search without having to comb through dozens of general job boards. Each post breaks down eligibility requirements, costs (if any), application deadlines, and what students can expect from the program. This structured format helps you quickly compare options and identify internships that fit your goals.Finding the right fit:
If you’re looking for inspiration or aren’t sure where to start, browse by category—whether that’s state-based opportunities, internships in a specific field, or free/affordable programs. Since the content is tailored toward high school students such as yourself, it avoids the overwhelm of sifting through listings meant for college students or adults. Using the blog as a starting point can save time and give you a clear direction on which internships are worth pursuing!
4. Internships.com
As the name suggests, Internships.com is a dedicated platform for finding internships across various industries and locations.
How it works: This website focuses solely on internships, making it a comprehensive resource for students. You can search for internships based on major, industry, location, and even by paid or unpaid status. Internships.com often features a large database of opportunities, including those specifically for high school students.
Finding the right fit: Utilize the advanced search filters to narrow down your options based on your specific criteria. Explore different industries that pique your interest. Read the internship descriptions carefully to understand the responsibilities, duration, and any required qualifications.
5. WayUp
While WayUp is a platform primarily designed for college students and recent graduates, it also features internship opportunities open to high school students, particularly those with strong academic records or specific skills.
How it works: WayUp focuses on connecting students with early-career opportunities. While primarily for college students, it's worth exploring for internships that might be accessible to high-achieving high school students. The platform often features internships at well-known companies.
Finding the right fit: Use keywords like "high school" or "student" in your search. Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each internship. Highlight any advanced coursework, extracurricular activities, or skills that make you a strong candidate.
6. NSHSS – (National Society of High School Scholars) Internship Board
If you are a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, their internship board provides exclusive opportunities for members.
How it works: NSHSS partners with various organizations to offer internships specifically to their members. These internships typically cover a wide range of fields and provide solid experience and networking opportunities.
Finding the right fit: Log in to your NSHSS member portal and navigate to the internship board. Browse the available opportunities and apply to those that align with your interests and qualifications.
7. Local Company Websites
Don't underestimate the power of directly checking the career or internship pages of companies in your local area that interest you! Not only does it show initiative, but it can also be a way to find opportunities that the company has not yet listed on job boards.
How it works: Many smaller companies or organizations that don't heavily recruit on major job boards may still offer internship opportunities. By visiting their websites directly, you can often find opportunities that are not widely advertised.
Finding the right fit: Make a list of companies in your area that operate in fields you are curious about. Visit their websites and look for "Careers," "Job Openings," or "Internships" sections. Even if they don't have a formal internship program, consider reaching out to inquire about potential opportunities.
8. University Websites
Many universities offer summer programs or research opportunities for high school students. These aren't always labeled as "internships" but provide similar worthwhile experiences.
How it helps: Most niversities run outreach programs to engage talented high school students. These can include summer research programs, pre-college workshops with a research component, mentorship opportunities with university faculty, or internships within the university and with partner organizations. Participating in such programs can provide exposure to academic research and university life, apart from professional experience.
Finding the right fit: Explore the websites of universities you’re interested in, and those that are located around you. Look for sections like "Pre-College Programs," "Summer Research for High School Students," or departmental websites that might list opportunities for high school students to get involved in research. Check the eligibility criteria and application deadlines.
9. Government Websites
Federal, provincial, and city government bodies often offer internship or summer employment opportunities for high school students.
How it works: Working for a government agency can provide solid insights into public service and policy. These opportunities can range from administrative roles to assisting with specific projects related to government functions.
Finding the right fit: Explore the websites of government departments that interest you, like the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, the local mayor’s office, or city councils. Look for student employment or internship programs. These opportunities may have specific eligibility requirements, such as age or academic standing.
10. Networking and Cold Emails
Sometimes, the best opportunities are not publicly advertised. Reaching out to professionals in your field of interest or leveraging your personal connections can help you find such avenues.
How it helps: Networking involves talking to people you know (family, friends, teachers, coaches, and so on) and expressing your interest in finding an internship. They may know of opportunities or be able to connect you with someone who does. Cold emailing involves reaching out directly to companies or organizations you admire, even if they don't have advertised internships, to inquire about potential opportunities.
Finding the right fit: Identify professionals working in fields that interest you. Ask your network for introductions. Craft personalized and professional cold emails outlining your skills, interests, and why you are interested in interning at their organization. Be specific about what you hope to learn and contribute.
Some examples:
Ask your science teacher if they know any researchers who might be willing to take on a high school student intern for the summer.
Sending an email to a local architect whose work you admire, expressing your interest in learning more about the field and inquiring about potential shadowing or internship opportunities.
Talking to a family friend who works in marketing about potential internships at their company or within their network.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
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