12 Data Analyst Internships for High School Students
Pursuing an internship can play an important role in shaping your college application by providing you with practical skills and a deeper understanding of various fields. Internships also offer a hands-on approach to learning, allowing you to apply classroom and textbook knowledge to real-world settings. Having an internship under your belt can reflect your commitment and expertise, helping you stand out to any application committee.
Data Analytics is a field that is increasingly in demand, and if you are looking to explore the field, an internship can be crucial to your journey. Through an internship, you can explore various specializations like computational data, business intelligence, or predictive analytics helping you to gain valuable insights into its usefulness in policy and decision-making across various industries.
To help you find what works best for you, here's our curated list of 12 data analytics internships for high school students to help you start your journey!
1. UChicago’s DSI Summer Lab
Location: University of Chicago Campus, IL
Cost: No cost; stipend provided ($4,800)
Application Deadline: January 16
Program Dates: From June to August
Eligibility: High school students. International students are welcome to apply, but are responsible for gaining authorization to work in the U.S. and providing all the necessary documentation to earn their stipend.
The DSI Summer Lab at the University of Chicago offers a paid 10-week summer research opportunity for high school and undergraduate students interested in applied, interdisciplinary data science research and analysis. During the program, participants are paired with mentors from various fields, including data science, computer science, and climate and energy policy. These mentors help students develop research methodologies, practices, and teamwork skills. Participants gain a solid understanding of fundamental data science techniques and receive specialized training in their selected application areas. The program concludes with students presenting their final research findings through professionally produced videos. This presentation format allows for peer interaction and the opportunity to answer questions about their projects while engaging with the work of others.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
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 is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. NASA Internships
Location: Varies, different for each internship offered
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Application Deadline: Varies from internship to internship
Program Dates: Fall — late August/early September to mid-December (16 weeks) | Spring — mid-January to early May (16 weeks) | Summer — late May/early June to August (10 weeks)
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens and have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers a range of internship opportunities at its facilities across the United States. Interns near a NASA site can apply for an in-person internship at a local research center. For those farther away, virtual internships are also available. High school students can explore these options through NASA’s internship database. One notable opportunity for those interested in data analysis is the Antarctic Study with Satellite Observations internship. In this program, participants use big data analysis and machine learning techniques to investigate Antarctic clouds and blowing snow, as well as their interactions with the surface. By leveraging data from NASA satellites, interns gain valuable insights into long-term observations and contribute to advanced research in climate science.
4. National Institute of Standards and Technology Internships
Cost: No participation cost (but students must cover housing and transportation costs)
Location: Varies from lab to lab.
Application Deadline: February 13
Program Dates: 8 weeks from June to August
Eligibility: Rising senior or recent graduate. Must be eligible to work in the U.S. minimum of a 3.0 GPA should be maintained.
Stipend: There is a chance of a stipend being provided
The Engineering Laboratory at NIST offers high school students an opportunity to participate in summer internships across various disciplines. The lab’s primary focus is on developing standards such as performance metrics, testing methods, and reference materials. Interns play a significant role in advancing manufacturing and construction technologies across various U.S. industries. Interns can also explore research areas such as Innovative fire protection, Sustainable Manufacturing, Intelligent manufacturing (covering automation, robotics, and equipment), Net-zero-energy buildings, Integrated and automated construction processes, New building materials and systems, Economic impacts, and Disaster-resilient structures.
5. SPARK Summer Internship Program - Data Science Track
Location: Greater Seattle Area, WA
Cost: No cost, stipend provided ($500)
Application Deadline: Variable deadlines based on the project selected!
Program Dates: 6–8 weeks, June to August.
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status
SparkSIP offers applicants the flexibility to select 5–6 projects that match their interests, connecting them with sponsors. This program allows participants to apply machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data visualization concepts and provides a chance to engage with industry leaders, university professors, and mentors. For the 2024 cohort, some of the topics in data science include “Power Grid Resilience to Extreme Weather Conditions” focusing on data modeling, and “Data Engineering and AI” which explores systems for verifying and validating both structured and unstructured data. These topics offer students hands-on experience and insights into cutting-edge research, helping to enhance their skills and knowledge for future opportunities.
6. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging’s Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: 2 weeks in June
Eligibility: High school students over the age of 14 by the start of the program who are California residents.
The two-week virtual internship offered by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging provides an excellent opportunity for those interested in exploring the technical facets of AI in healthcare. This program features in-depth lectures on AI fundamentals in healthcare, complemented by hands-on research projects and mentoring sessions with Stanford researchers. Participants can also choose to extend their internship with independent research. In addition to applying as regular interns, individuals have the option to apply for the ‘Student Lead’ role. In this position, interns not only work on their projects but also assist in project leadership under the guidance of an AIMI mentor. This dual role allows for valuable leadership development and deeper involvement in AI healthcare research.
7. Headquarters Student Internship Program, U.S. Treasury
Location: Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: High school students in the US who are enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution can apply.
Application deadline: October for the Spring, December for the Summer, and June for the Fall.
Dates: Spring from January to May, summer from May to August, and fall internships from September to December.
Stipend: None
The Treasury’s internship allows high school students to collect, analyze, and present policy data, as well as conduct research and summarize relevant academic literature and news related to the department’s work. This program is an excellent opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of accounting concepts and taxation systems while making a meaningful contribution to public service. Interns will develop their research and analytical skills and gain management and organizational experience under the mentorship of treasury experts. They can also contribute to various offices within the Treasury Departmental Offices, such as Domestic Finance, Tax Policy, and Economic Policy.
8. QuarkNet Summer Research Program
Location: Varies depending on lab choice.
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are U.S. citizens or those who have permanent resident status with Illinois high school enrollment.
Application Deadline: January 31
Dates: June 17 – August 2
Stipend: $17.20 per hour
Quarknet offers research internships for students interested in engineering, physics, and mathematics. Interns will work with Fermilab under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science in areas such as particle physics, particle acceleration, and detection. They will engage in computer science and quantum mechanics to analyze data related to physics and engineering. Beyond specialized research, interns will conduct surveys, write abstracts, deliver presentations, and contribute to advancements in particle engineering and physics. This experience will help them develop both their technical and communication skills.
9. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple locations across the country.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale who will be at least 16 years old (by the application deadline). See all eligibility requirements here.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Program Dates: During the summer months for 9 weeks.
Stipend: $468.80 per week.
The AFRL Scholars Program offers an exciting opportunity for high school students interested in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, and related fields to contribute to cutting-edge research. Participants will work alongside AFRL scientists and engineers to help develop engineering technology. Selected students can engage in projects related to complex electromagnetic structures, metal design, and modeling, gaining a deep understanding of these areas. Previous interns have tackled projects such as cleaning up PFAS contamination, developing data structures for advanced satellite navigation signals, and simulating and testing experimental navigation satellite signals. When applying, be sure to filter for specific opportunities available to high school students, as the program also accepts undergraduates.
10. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Various locations across the US. See all available locations here.
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 years can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Program dates: 8 weeks, typically from mid-June to August.
Stipend: It is a paid opportunity, but the exact amount is not available.
The CLA High School Internship Program provides a comprehensive understanding of accounting, including tax preparation, financial analysis, and audit procedures. Interns will work on real-world projects alongside experienced professionals, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations while enhancing their problem-solving and analytical skills. The program also emphasizes networking and professional development. Students will have the opportunity to connect with seasoned professionals, mentors, and peers, building valuable relationships that can be beneficial in their future careers while gaining firsthand experience in the industry.
11. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Remote and hybrid options are offered.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close at the beginning of February.
Program Dates: June 18 - August 9
Eligibility: Interns for in-person, remote, or hybrid internships in computer labs must be 15 years or older by June 18. Interns for "wet-lab" in-person or hybrid internships must be 16 or older by June 18.
Cost/Stipend: There is a $25 application fee, which can be waived.
The nationally recognized Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) provides solid research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students. If selected, interns work closely with faculty researchers at George Mason University and its collaborating institutions, using advanced technology across various disciplines. For those interested in AI, ASSIP offers a wide range of focus areas, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data mining, data science for social good, computer modeling, computer simulations, machine learning, and more. Whether interns are beginners or already have some coding experience, ASSIP can be a valuable opportunity. Additionally, if interns' goal is to publish their work by the end of the internship, ASSIP is definitely worth considering.
12. NLM Data Science and Informatics (DSI) Scholars Program
Location: NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Program Dates: Starts in June and runs for 8–12 weeks.
Eligibility: Be at least 17 years of age by June 15, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, accepted into an accredited college, university, or professional program for the fall, and have a GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) offers an internship for high schoolers focused on data science innovation in the medical field. Lasting 8 to 12 weeks, this program allows students to collaborate closely with a research mentor on a computational research project in the biological sciences. Interns benefit from hands-on training, along with access to seminars and professional development workshops designed to enhance their scientific communication skills. The program culminates in the presentation of their research project at NLM’s Summer Poster Day, with opportunities to showcase their work at the NIH-wide Summer Poster Day as well. This internship provides a valuable experience for students eager to explore the intersection of data science and medicine, making it an excellent opportunity for aspiring researchers!
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