12 Electrical Engineering Internships for High School Students
Today’s academic and professional landscape is extremely competitive, especially for popular fields like engineering. Internships for high school students offer you exposure to applied engineering and skill development that can help you stand out when applying to college or future jobs. An internship also typically includes professional networking opportunities, which can give you valuable references for future applications.
Electrical engineering includes specialties such as computer engineering, electronics, telecommunications, and more. An internship in this field can teach you how to conduct research, work alongside professionals, engage in projects, and hone the skills required to succeed in the field. Here are 12 electrical engineering internships for high school students!
1. Ladder Internships
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.
2. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University
Cost: None. Financial assistance may be provided to students who require it
Location: Virtual
Duration: 8 weeks, around 30 to 40 hours per week
Application Deadline: February 23
Program Dates: June 17 to August 9
Eligibility Criteria: Students must be enrolled in their junior or senior year of high school at the time of application, and be at least 14 years of age by the first day of the program.
The SHTEM program encourages a multi-disciplinary approach to research and learning, as students are introduced to cutting-edge developments and new research paths. You will work in an academic environment that provides exposure to various fields of study, enhancing your knowledge of not just electrical engineering, but of other subjects too. This ensures a holistic learning experience. You will be mentored by the faculty, staff, and students of the Stanford Compression Forum and its affiliated organizations.
3. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Stipend: Depends on the intern’s academic level and the session’s length
Location: Internships are offered across NASA facilities, and students can select roles based in or around their city.
Duration: 10 to 16 weeks
Application Deadline: Fall Session- January | Spring Session- August | Summer Sessions - October
Program Dates: Fall session: 16 weeks from late August/early September to mid-December | Spring session: 16 weeks from mid-January to early May | Summer - 10 weeks from late May/early June to August
Eligibility: Full-time high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships to students at their facilities across the country. Students can contribute to ongoing agency projects under the guidance of a NASA mentor and receive training, mentoring, and career development opportunities along the way. There is a range of opportunities available across various fields, including electrical engineering. For example, the SCaN Single-Sensor Geolocation Lab Demonstration or the CCRI - SnowEx and Understanding the Role of Snow and Measurement opportunities.
4. Spark Summer Internship Program (Spark SIP)
Stipend: Depends on the internship
Location: Greater Seattle area
Duration: 6 to 8 weeks
Application Deadline: May 1 (based on previous dates)
Eligibility: High school students who can work 40 hours a week for the duration of the program
Spark SIP is a highly selective program with an acceptance rate of less than 5%, making it an extremely prestigious opportunity for high school students. Students are sponsored as they conduct research on a broad range of topics of their choice, and gain real-world experience by interacting with industry experts, educators, and mentors in established institutions. This program enables students to work in a professional environment so they are prepared to build a successful career in the future.
5. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program
Stipend: $492.40 per week
Location: Various locations across the country
Application Deadline: January 10
Program Dates: TBA
Eligibility: High school students who are US citizens
The Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program is a paid opportunity for high school students to work on cutting-edge research projects under the guidance and mentorship of AFRL scientists. Students can work on topics in various fields with mentors of their choice, gain practical experience to improve their understanding of their subject, and prepare for their academic and professional future.
6. TARGET by Fermilab
Stipend: $17.20 per hour
Acceptance Rate: Only 10 to 15 interns are selected for each cohort
Location: Illinois
Application Deadline: February 5
Program Dates: June 17 – July 26
Eligibility: Students must be a sophomore or junior enrolled in an Illinois high school at the time of application. They must also be eligible to work in the US and have a 3.0 GPA.
Fermi National Accelerator Lab is managed by the US Department of Energy Office of Science. Their TARGET program is a highly competitive opportunity that combines experiential learning and practical work to deliver a comprehensive experience for students with a strong aptitude in engineering. In this program, students are encouraged to pursue STEM disciplines in college and pursue a career in various fields. Students conduct research and create content while working with Fermilab scientists and engineers.
7. Sandia National Laboratories
Cost: None. A consistent pay rate is offered to high school interns based on their duties
Location: Various locations in Albuquerque and Livermore
Duration: Summer internships are typically 10 to 12 weeks long.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Summer internships typically run from May to August.
Eligibility: US citizens of at least 16 years of age with a full-time enrollment status and a minimum GPA of 2.5, with the ability to work 25 hours a week during the term of 40 hours a week during summer (depends on the internship)
A contractor for the National Nuclear Security Administration under the US Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories offers diverse internship opportunities to high school students. This includes summer internships, co-ops, and year-round internships. This program receives a large volume of applicants and has a low acceptance rate, making it a prestigious addition to the resume of selected interns. Students get to work with engineers and researchers in a professional environment, giving them the knowledge and practical experience to successfully begin their careers.
8. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) - Department of Navy
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants, $4,500 for returning participants
Location: Various labs across the country
Duration: 8 weeks with the possibility of extending for an additional 2 weeks
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: US citizens of at least 16 years of age, who have completed at least Grade 9 and are currently enrolled in high school. Certain labs may have other requirements or exceptions depending on their security clearance
In this research-focused program, high school students learn about Naval research and technology in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories across the country. They conduct research based on their subject of interest while receiving guidance and mentorship from the top scientists and engineers at the facilities. Students can select a maximum of three labs in this program. Only 300 placements are available in total, across all the labs in the country, making this a competitive selection project and a prestigious opportunity for students who make it through. The cohort is selected based on their academic achievements, research and career interests, personal statements, and recommendations.
9. National Institute of Standards and Technology Internships
Cost: None. Participants must pay for their own housing and transportation.
Location: Various locations depending on the lab
Duration: 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Applications are open between December and mid-February
Program Dates: Typically from mid-June to the second week of August
Eligibility: Rising seniors and recent graduates with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are eligible to work in the US.
This program introduces students to cutting-edge research at NIST facilities and offers experience under the guidance of their staff and engineers. Students can work on a specific topic at one of six labs, which have all delivered impressive research projects in past years. Students have the option to work at labs in Boulder, Colorado, or Gaithersburg, Maryland, and engage in multi-disciplinary research.
10. Idaho National Laboratory Internship
Cost: None. Stipend may be provided for travel and housing in addition to competitive wages
Location: Idaho National Laboratory
Duration: 10 to 16 weeks
Application Deadline: Typically, a month or two before the internship starts
Eligibility: High school students above the age of 16 who are U.S citizens or permanent residents (the only exceptions are foreign nationals who attend an accredited U.S. college or university)
This program is a part of the US Department of Energy and encourages high school students to apply their knowledge of STEM concepts to problems in various areas. Students will spend 80% of their time in the lab under the guidance of a mentor, scientist, or engineer, and the other 20% will be spent on skill-building and enrichment activities. Over the course of the program, students will collaborate with professionals as they devise innovative solutions to challenging, real-world projects.
11. Textron Aviation High School Internship Program
Cost: None. Stipend is provided
Location: Wichita, KS, and Columbus, GA
Duration: 6 weeks in Summer or during the Fall or Spring semesters
Application Deadline: Depends on the internship.
Eligibility: High school students over 16 years old
Textron Aviation works for commercial clientele as well as the government and military. This makes it a prestigious organization that can enhance students’ college applications and resumes. Interns gain practical experience of what aviation engineering entails, depending on their job, preparing them for a future in the field. For example, in the 2023 Fall cohort, an internship for Engineering - Experimental Assembly required an intern to support a professional engineer in reviewing technical reports and performing complex lab procedures, while also gaining experience in CATIA programming.
12. EnergyMag Research Internship
Cost: None
Location: Virtual
Duration: Half-time: 2 to 8 weeks in increments of 2 weeks, available in summer. | Quarter time: 1 to 9 months in increments of 1 month, available all year round.
Application Deadline: Applications are open all year round
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class, with a minimum GPA of 3.25
EnergyMag is dedicated to renewable energy storage and offers virtual internships to high school students who want to gain research experience in the renewable energy sector. This program is also open to college students, so the selection process is highly competitive, making this a prestigious opportunity. The program is designed to help students improve their research and analytical skills as they gain work experience in researching companies and markets, and analyzing technologies. Internship tasks depend on the students’ academic record and experience, and graduation date. Students are assigned a mentor to guide and supervise their work as they gather, synthesize, and analyze information and produce a draft analysis report, which will be published on the EnergyMag site.
Bonus: MIT Beaverworks Summer Institute
Cost: $1,750 for students from families with an income greater than $150,000
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: July 8 to August 4
Eligibility: High school juniors attending school in the United States
This is a 4-week project-based experience that offers workshop-style courses across a wide range of subjects. The program’s alumni have praised it for the collaboration and networking opportunities it offers, as well as its diversity and unique approach to education. The program enables students to select from its course list, which includes all kinds of subjects, including multi-disciplinary options like wearable tech and e-textiles!
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