13 Civil Engineering Internships for High School Students
Civil engineering is all around you, from the roads you travel on to the buildings, bridges, and water systems in your community. If you’re interested in how structures are designed, built, and maintained, a civil engineering internship can give you a chance to explore the field outside the classroom. You might work on a design project, learn about construction, analyze data, or see how engineers solve problems related to infrastructure and the environment. An internship can also help you understand what civil engineers actually do and whether the field interests you as a possible college major.
TL;DR
This article rounds up 13 internships across university labs, national laboratories, government agencies, and even real construction job sites. Most run for 6 to 12 weeks over the summer, though a few extend for up to 16 weeks or offer longer virtual formats. Many are free to apply and come with stipends, while a handful charge application fees or tuition, and one requires covering your own housing costs. Eligibility varies, with some options open nationally to any U.S. citizen, and others restricted to students living near a specific lab or university. So, it’s worth checking each program’s details to find the right fit for you.
Why should you do a civil engineering internship?
A civil engineering internship can help you see how concepts from math, physics, and science are used to solve practical problems. Depending on the program, you might explore areas such as structural engineering, transportation, construction, environmental engineering, or water resources. You may also get to work with engineers, researchers, or other professionals and learn more about their day-to-day work. Before exploring available options, you can check out our tips for securing an internship in high school to prepare for what comes next.
How do you apply for a civil engineering internship?
Start by checking the eligibility requirements and application instructions for each program. You may need to submit a resume, transcript, essays, recommendation letters, or information about your coursework. Some internships may also have requirements related to your grade level, location, age, or previous experience. Check the application deadline early, especially for summer programs, and give yourself enough time to prepare your materials and request recommendations if needed. If this is your first-ever internship, you can start with our guide to applying for an internship without any experience.
To get you started, we have put together a list of 13 civil engineering internships for high school students. We have focused on opportunities that place you on real projects and let you build an early professional network while testing your interests in civil engineering.
If you are also looking for more structured learning experiences, check out our selection of summer programs in civil engineering and pre-college engineering programs.
Quick comparison
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
National lab and government research programs |
NIST SHIP, AFRL Scholars Program, AEOP, SEAP, Idaho National Laboratory Internships |
Free, with stipends ranging from ~$507/week to $4,500 for the summer |
Students who want a paid research experience at a federal facility or national lab, often with citizenship or location-based eligibility requirements |
|
University lab and mentorship programs |
RSI @ MIT, Princeton LLP, Stony Brook Simons Summer Research Program, NYU ARISE, JHU APL ASPIRE, George Mason ASSIP |
Costs: Free – $1,299 (some come with stipends) |
Students who want one-on-one mentorship from faculty or researchers on a college campus, with some options offering college credit |
|
Startup and virtual internships |
Cost varies with aid available |
Students who want a fully remote internship and exposure to startup culture rather than a lab or jobsite setting |
|
|
Construction and industry Internships |
No cost; hourly wage and transportation stipend available |
Students who want hands-on, in-person experience on an active construction site rather than a research lab |
13 Civil Engineering Internships for High School Students
1. Research Science Institute (RSI) @ MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $75 non-refundable application fee (waivers available); no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~3 – 5% acceptance rate; cohort of ~100 students/year
Dates: June 28 – August 8 (tentative; details for the next cycle TBA)
Application deadline: December 10 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school juniors, ages 16 and up
RSI is a selective program that lets high school students engage in STEM research at MIT. You will begin with one week of seminars learning about research in science, engineering, and the humanities. Over the next five weeks, you will work on a research project, which can focus on a civil engineering question, alongside a mentor in an MIT lab. In the final week, you will deliver formal oral and written presentations discussing your research findings. The schedule will include opportunities to connect with scientists and field trips to science and tech facilities.
Who it’s best for: 11th graders who want to engage in a competitive research experience at MIT.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts every year, including Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10 – 20 hours/week for 8 to 12 weeks; high school, undergraduate, and gap year students can apply!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from AI/ML and tech/deep tech to journalism, health tech, marketing, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise more than $1 million. You will work closely with a manager on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
Who it’s best for: Students looking for virtual internship experience and firsthand exposure to the inner workings of startups!
3. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST in Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10.4% acceptance rate; 35 students in the last cohort
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0+; applicants must be U.S. citizens living within 50 miles of either of the NIST campuses.
NIST labs host high school student interns during the summer through SHIP, a seven-week hands-on research program. As a SHIP participant, you will join one of NIST’s laboratories to engage in lab work and research, with opportunities spanning STEM areas, including structural engineering and environmental science. Your daily schedule may include working with materials science or measurement science research data, running experiments, engaging in and documenting lab work, or assisting with a technical investigation. At the end of seven weeks, you will showcase your findings in the form of a poster.
Who it’s best for: Students living near NIST campuses in Maryland or Colorado who are interested in getting firsthand exposure to the work of a government agency.
4. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Several research sites in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No fee; stipend is typically $506.80/week; a few sites offer bigger stipends + travel coverage (check details here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective program; exact details not publicly available
Dates: Vary by site and internship; typically a minimum commitment of 8 weeks is required, with most internships running 10 – 12 weeks in the spring, summer, or fall.
Application deadline: Summer: January 10 | Fall/Spring: Not specified
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students, undergraduates, or graduate students who are U.S. citizens and 16 or older
The ARFL Scholars Program is a paid internship that offers students research-focused experiences at federal facilities. You will join an active research project team at an Air Force lab, with placements spanning various disciplines, including civil engineering. You will work in a lab setting under the supervision of scientists and engineers, learn about active Air Force research and development work, and explore career paths in research and STEM. You may work with real experimental data, help design experiments, run tests, and/or document research findings. You may also be able to return to the program in subsequent years to continue engaging in engineering research.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in Air Force-focused research who are seeking a credible paid internship experience.
5. AEOP (Army Educational Outreach Program) Internships
Location: Multiple research sites across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipends are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June – August; dates vary by opportunity
Application deadline: Varies by lab position
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; specific roles can have additional criteria
AEOP places high school interns at U.S. Army facilities and university labs to work with scientists or engineers on real research. As an intern, you will work directly under the supervision of a scientist or engineer, contributing to active research projects, with opportunities spanning STEM fields, including aerospace engineering and related disciplines. You may help design or run experiments, assess real research data, or conduct lab work. The program will also offer access to mentorship from a STEM professional, educational workshops and sessions, and opportunities to connect with the broader program network.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in STEM research who are looking for a credible, lab-based internship.
6. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: U.S. Department of the Navy laboratories (multiple sites nationwide)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $4,000 stipend for first-time participants, and $4,500 stipend for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 placements across 38+ labs nationwide
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; term can be extended to 10 weeks.
Application deadline: November 1; applications open on August 1.
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens; some labs may accept permanent residents and dual citizens (check individual lab pages for additional requirements here).
SEAP places high schoolers across the U.S. in Department of the Navy (DoN) laboratories to contribute to real STEM research for 8 to 10 weeks during the summer. As a participant, you will spend time in labs, explore naval research, including in areas like civil engineering, and work closely with scientists and engineers. While the day-to-day work can vary by site, you will find opportunities to connect with researchers and learn about careers in research and engineering during the summer program. Additionally, you will shadow STEM professionals and attend seminars and presentations at SEAP.
Who it’s best for: Students in the U.S. looking for a paid internship focused on naval STEM research.
7. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Internships
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 to 16 weeks; dates vary by opportunity
Application deadline: Varies by opportunity
Eligibility: Full-time students attending accredited high schools or colleges with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; international students at accredited U.S. institutions must have valid Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization.
Internships at INL allow students to explore what it is like to work at a national laboratory within areas such as civil/structural engineering, mechanical engineering, biology, materials science, cybersecurity, clean energy, and more. You will spend most of your time working on laboratory projects and the rest on lab tours, seminars, and networking. You will also get to work closely with INL professionals who may serve as mentors throughout the experience and offer insights into potential career paths. You will wrap up with a final project presentation.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in working at a national laboratory and willing to commute to the INL facility in Idaho.
8. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None; some labs may offer a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 1 – 2 students/lab selected out of ~3,500 applications
Dates: Five to six weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16, enrolled in a high school, U.S. citizens, and able to provide proof of local housing and transportation in New Jersey
Princeton’s LLP is a selective summer internship where you get to work with faculty and research staff on real projects in the sciences and engineering. The project focus and tasks vary by placement, but typically include projects in civil engineering. You may engage in lab work, data analysis, modeling, and/or scientific writing, depending on the project. You will follow a schedule set by your assigned Princeton lab and complete safety training before starting placement-specific work. At the end of LLP, you will submit a two-page research summary describing your research work.
Who it’s best for: New Jersey students seeking a free, credible, lab-based summer experience on a university campus.
9. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University campus, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition ($2,450 housing costs apply for residential students); stipend available
Acceptance rate: Less than 5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program lets high school students contribute to research in science, math, or engineering on the Stony Brook University campus. You will work alongside Stony Brook faculty mentors in a real research group on active projects. Placements span STEM areas, including civil engineering. Your daily work may involve tasks like designing and fabricating shape-morphing structures, analyzing structures’ static or dynamic behavior, or enabling mobile robots to work with human workers on a construction site, depending on the mentor’s focus area. The schedule will also include lectures and workshops covering STEM concepts and research basics. Your experience will conclude with the completion of a written abstract and a presentation at the closing research symposium.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in conducting research on a university campus within a research group.
10. NYU ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)
Location: New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn/New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact details not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who live and attend school in NYC
ARISE is a 10-week program that offers high schoolers lab training and hands-on research experience within New York University labs. During the initial four weeks, you will undergo training focused on college writing, lab safety, and research skills. In the next six weeks, you will complete a research project in a lab, with placements spanning a range of engineering fields, including civil engineering. You will spend the summer gaining about 150 hours of lab experience, attending skill-building sessions, and building your research presentation, which you will deliver at the end of 10 weeks. The program will also offer college application guidance and access to the ARISE alumni network.
Who it’s best for: NYC students seeking a paid research experience and structured lab training on a university campus.
11. DPR Construction Build Up High School Internship
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; hourly wage and transportation stipends available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; specific dates TBA
Application deadline: TBA for the next cycle
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors or students graduating in May with a family income below 80% of the HUD Median Family Income for their counties; students must be legally entitled to work in the U.S.
The Build Up High School Internship is an eight-week, in-person program focused on construction management. You will work 35 to 40 hours per week on an active construction jobsite under the guidance of mentors, supporting subcontractor coordination, tracking project documents, participating in quality inspections and site walks, learning jobsite safety practices, and helping update schedules and site plans. You will complete an eight-week Capstone Project and work on building communication, teamwork, and other professional skills through project-based learning. The program will introduce you to construction and engineering careers and education pathways while offering you exposure to construction technology and day-to-day project management.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a paid, hands-on experience on an active construction site and the opportunity to work with mentors in construction, engineering, and architecture.
12. Johns Hopkins University APL ASPIRE
Location: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Less than 10%
Dates: June 23 – August 21; commitment of 190 hours (30 to 40 hours/week)
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who are 15+ by June 1, have a minimum 2.8 GPA, and are U.S. citizens from specific MD/VA/D.C. regions (check details here)
ASPIRE is a summer experience at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory that lets you take on real STEM project work before college. You will join a mentor to work on applied research projects, with placements spanning STEM areas, including civil engineering. You may spend the summer participating in experimental lab work, coding, analysis, social impact-focused problem-solving, or prototype testing. In the process, you will pick up lab skills, practice documentation, and learn about lab safety guidelines. You will interact with professionals who can share insights into potential academic paths and careers in engineering. At the end, you will present your work at a showcase event.
Who it’s best for: DMV area students looking to work on meaningful technical projects alongside a mentor.
13. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or George Mason University and affiliated sites in Virginia
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition (fee waivers available); no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 15 years old for remote internships or 16+ years old for in-person/wet-lab opportunities
ASSIP allows college and high school students to work one-on-one with faculty researchers at George Mason University on research projects. Placements span various STEM fields, including civil and infrastructure engineering, where you may contribute to research focused on bioinspired design, traffic safety analysis, or natural hazard risk and resilience assessment. During the eight-week internship, you will learn how to work with lab equipment and build and practice formal writing and communication skills. You will also learn about career paths through discussions and meetings with researchers and STEM professionals. At the end, you will earn three college credits.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in STEM research seeking the opportunity to work with an experienced mentor in virtual or university lab settings.
What skills can you pick up in civil engineering internships?
The skills you develop will depend on the type of internship and the projects you work on. You might learn about engineering design, computer-aided design, data analysis, surveying, construction, modeling, or research. You may also practice problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and presenting your ideas. Some internships may focus on hands-on projects, while others may offer more exposure to research or to engineering software.
Can a civil engineering internship help with your college applications?
A civil engineering internship can give you specific experiences to discuss if you’re interested in studying the field or related areas in college. You can use the experience to explain how you explored engineering outside your regular classes and what you learned from working on a project.
Explain your interest in your chosen major: An internship can give you concrete examples of what interests you about civil engineering and why you want to continue exploring it. You can describe a specific project, research experience, or activity that helped you learn more about the field. If the internship introduced you to an area such as structural, environmental, or transportation engineering, you can explain how it influenced what you want to study further.
Connect your coursework to real work: You can discuss how you used concepts from math, physics, environmental science, or other classes during your internship.
Give you material for essays and interviews: A particular project or problem you worked on can give you a specific experience to discuss instead of simply saying that you’re interested in engineering.
Questions students often ask about these civil engineering internships
1. What kind of civil engineering work will you actually be doing day-to-day?
The hands-on work varies a lot by placement. Depending on where you land, you could be analyzing the structural behavior of shape-morphing designs, studying traffic safety data, assessing natural hazard and disaster resilience risks, working with mobile robots on simulated construction tasks, or supporting quality inspections and site walks on an active jobsite. Some placements lean more toward lab-based data analysis and modeling, while others put you directly on a construction site.
2. Will you get to focus on one area of civil engineering, or explore several?
This depends heavily on how each program is structured and who you're matched with. Programs that place you with an individual faculty mentor or in a specific lab tend to focus your work on that mentor's area of expertise, whether that's structural engineering, environmental science, or construction technology. Programs with broader placements across multiple labs or job sites may expose you to a wider mix of subfields within a single summer.
3. Are these internships mostly free, or should you plan for some costs?
It's a mix. A good number of these programs are free to apply to and pay a stipend (up to $4,500), but a few charge non-refundable application fees, and at least one involves a tuition cost with financial aid available. If you are planning to relocate for the program, you may also need to budget for housing separately, since that isn't always covered by the program itself.
4. Can you complete these internships remotely, or do most require you to be on-site?
Most of these internships are in-person, since they involve lab access, jobsite work, or campus-based research facilities. A couple of options offer virtual tracks. If you are looking for a fully virtual experience regardless of where you live, Ladder Internships offers remote opportunities to work with startups.