15 Government Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high schooler curious about what it is like to work with the government, then an internship could be useful for you. Doing a government internship doesn’t necessarily mean you wish to work in the public sector – it could lead to a career in political science, legal studies and so much more.
You can work with the government in various capacities, and an internship is a great way for you to figure out the type of opportunities that exist and get a feel for what may be most exciting for you. The government’s work is also wide and varied, and an internship could give you insight into its inner workings, help you understand how policies are developed and implemented, and observe the day-to-day operations of various departments and agencies.
You’ll also get to create a valuable network for yourself in the process! Additionally, a government internship can strengthen your college application, demonstrating your willingness to challenge yourself and understand the role of the public sector. If this sounds like something you would like to explore, here’s a list of 15 government internships for high school students! This is a comprehensive list, covering opportunities in various federal departments and prestigious agencies such as NASA, with work in fields ranging from STEM to public policy!
1. Washington State Legislature House Page Internship
Fields: Public service, political science, public policy, legislature
Location: Capitol Campus, Olympia, WA.
Eligibility: High school students in the 14–16 age group can apply. Those who do not live near the campus will have to make their own housing arrangements and can check the details here.
Stipend: $65/day + up to 20 hours of community service
Application deadline: TBA; applications have been open since November 1, 2023
Dates: One week (40 hours of work) between January and March 2024. Interns can choose the week they prefer.
The Washington State Legislature’s House Page Internship is conducted in and with the House of Representatives. This internship program provides a unique work-learn opportunity for high schoolers. The interns, or “pages” get to work for a week, Monday through Friday, from 7.30 a.m. to 4.50 p.m. They will assist the House of Representatives with tasks like serving on the chamber floor, making deliveries throughout campus, and supporting member offices. They will also attend Page School for two hours every day. The school helps students learn how to be a page and understand the legislative process. As a bonus the internship credits 20 hours of community service!
2. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Fields: STEM
Location: Several locations across the United States. Find one that works for you!
Stipend: $492.40/per week
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary based on the chosen site.
Dates: The program typically offers summer internships, with a limited number of positions during the fall and spring semesters. Dates vary each year. ARFL internships typically run 10–12 weeks, with a minimum requirement of 8 weeks. They can last up to 14 weeks based on mentor preferences and funding availability.
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Scholars program is a paid internship opportunity for upper-level high school students interested in aerospace engineering. Once selected, you will receive guidance from full-time AFRL scientists and engineers. You will also get to tour AFRL laboratories and work on cutting-edge research and technology during the internship. You can check the range of research topics available here, and the mentor bios here. You can apply to no more than 3 topics per AFRL site. During the program, you get to work on exciting research. Some of the topics offered this summer are Advanced Carbon-Based Conductors for Aerospace Applications and Characterization of High-Temperature Structural Materials.
3. New York City Mayor’s Office Internship Program
Fields: Multidisciplinary depending on the department selected, with a focus on communications, research, policy, public service, and political science
Location: New York City
Stipend: $15 per hour
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and residents of NYC (a condition for fall/spring term) can apply. All applicants under 18 need to have their youth working papers to be eligible for the program.
Application deadline: The upcoming summer and fall/spring dates are yet to be announced. The deadline for the summer term is likely to be mid-March and for the fall/spring term is likely to be early September based on previous years
Dates: Summer term typically runs from June to August and the Fall/Spring term typically runs from September/October to April (dates TBA for 2024-25)
The New York City Mayor’s Office offers this paid internship program to high school students interested in learning how the city government functions. You can choose one of the various departments within the office when you apply. If selected, you get the chance to collaborate with the department staff and work on a range of tasks including conducting research, attending meetings, analyzing data, managing incoming inquiries, drafting briefings, staffing events, and more. The program also conducts a bi-weekly Speaker Series to help students learn more about the inner workings of the NYC government. Here, guest speakers could be deputy mayors, commissioners, program directors, and other senior staff. During the internship, you will also work with other interns on developing a service project that focuses on helping the most deserving communities and New Yorkers in need.
Fields: Multidisciplinary; space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, outreach, communications, and more
Location: Varies depending on the internship. Interns are responsible for making their own housing arrangements.
Stipend: The majority of interns receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.
Eligibility: High school students in the US who are at least 16 years old can apply.
Application deadline: Varies from internship to internship. Spring programs typically have an August deadline, summer internships have an October deadline, and fall internships come with a January deadline.
Dates:
- Spring internships run 16 weeks from mid-January to early May
- Summer internships run 10 weeks from late May/early June to August
- Fall internships last 16 weeks starting in late August/early September to mid-December/January
NASA is a governmental agency worth considering for its prestigious internship opportunities for high school students interested in STEM and related fields. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) provides internships at all its locations around the USA, so you can opt for an internship in a NASA research facility near you. However, if there is no such facility near you, NASA also conducts virtual internships. You can look for available opportunities here after adding filters to find relevant opportunities for high school students.
Through this internship, you will gain practical work experience by working with mentors like research scientists, engineers, and other professionals. While you can find many STEM opportunities, NASA also offers internships in business, arts, social sciences, and many other non-STEM fields. NASA OSTEM offers three internship sessions, with each session involving short-term work on a specific project. You can select a different project in the next session. You can keep an eye out for the internship updates and guidelines here.
5. National Institute of Health High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
Fields: Healthcare research, mainly in biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences
Location: NIH research campuses in the USA including the main NIH campus in Bethesda, MD. No housing is provided to interns, but there is free parking.
Stipend: A monthly stipend of $2,300 is provided.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and seniors living within 40 miles of the NIH Campus on which they will intern can apply.
Application deadline: February 16, 2024
Dates: June to August (tentative, based on previous years)
If you are interested in both interning with the government and gaining some real-world experience in the fields of healthcare, biomedicine, and research this internship opportunity could be for you. The HS-SIP is an 8-week program conducted at NIH facilities. Here, you can carry out cutting-edge research under the guidance and mentorship of world-renowned researchers. It is important to note that the HS-SIP is extremely competitive, with a ~7% acceptance rate. Interns are selected by a central committee at each Institute/Center and then placed in a research group to work under the supervision of a Principal Investigator. They also have access to NIH’s professional development programs when enrolled in the HS-SIP to enhance the skills needed for a successful career in science. On the program’s Summer Poster Day, scheduled for August 1–2, 2024 this year, interns share their research with the NIH community. You can either apply to HS-SIP or one of its student cohorts: HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0.
Fields: Public service, political science, public policy, legislature
Location: United States Senate, Washington DC. During the school year, pages have to live in the Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence on Capitol Hill, Washington DC. This costs $780 per month, which is deducted from the stipend. Summer sessions are commuter programs, so pages can live with a family member in the area.
Stipend: Stipend is based on an annual salary of $35,360. As most pages do not serve the entire year, they can expect a monthly stipend of $2,946.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and rising seniors who are 16 or 17 years old can apply.
Application deadline: Rolling
Dates:
- Spring 2024: January 28, 2024–June 7, 2024
- Summer Session I: June 9–21, 2024
- Summer Session II: July 21, 2024–August 2, 2024
- Fall 2024: Early September–late January
The US Senate Page Program is not structured like a traditional internship, however, it follows a work-learn-mentorship model that provides pages with real-world experience as well as a stipend. The Senate Page program is one of the longest-running opportunities for high school students interested in political science. Pages are sponsored by their senators and will reside in Washington D.C. Pages carry out tasks like delivering correspondence and legislative material within the Capitol and Senate office buildings, preparing the chamber for Senate sessions, and working on the Senate floor, which involves offering assistance during roll call votes, supporting senators and staff during debates, and carrying bills and amendments to the desk. Pages also attend page school in the morning and complete coursework during the program. Note that there are only 30-page positions for supporting 100 members of the United States Senate, so not all senators will be sponsoring/selecting a page. You can reach out to a senator here if you are interested in applying to this and check if they are sponsoring a page.
7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Fields: STEM disciplines, mainly engineering.
Location: There are several lab locations to choose from across the country.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9 and are at least 16 years old when the internship begins can apply. Before applying, you should check if your preferred lab has any other particular requirements.
Application deadline: Applications open in August and close on November 1 every year.
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary depending on the lab you choose.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participant) and $4,500 (returning participant) paid bi-weekly via direct deposit. There are no registration costs, however, housing, meals, transportation, and medical expenses are not covered.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) gives high school students an opportunity to work in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories for 8 weeks. A highly selective program, SEAP offers 300 placements across 38 laboratories nationwide. Regardless of the lab you choose, you will work on real Naval research and collaborate with leading researchers, scientists, and engineers at Navy laboratories and facilities across the country. You will be mentored by these experts, while working in the lab five days and 40 hours per week and building knowledge and skills in various STEM disciplines, such as computer science and aeronautics. Your lab choice should be based on your subject of interest and you can select a maximum of three labs.
8. Pathways Internship Programs at the U.S. Department of State
Fields: Foreign affairs, public policy, international affairs and more
Location: This will vary, students can opt for openings in their location. You can see all eligible vacancies under this program here.
Stipend: This varies from post to post.
Eligibility: Students applying must be at least 16 years old by the closing date of the post you’re applying to. Students must also have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at time of application and throughout internship appointment.
Application Deadline: Varies from location to location
Dates: While the dates of the internship will vary from post to post, those under the Internship Experience Program (IEP) are expected to last the length of the academic program for which the intern is enrolled, and those under the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) will run during seasonal and holiday breaks as well as year-round.
These internships are opportunities to explore Federal careers in various offices of the government. Through them, students can gain firsthand experience in various aspects of foreign affairs, public policy, and international affairs by working as an intern. The program offers a structured learning environment, where you will work alongside experienced professionals, engage in meaningful projects, and develop critical skills for the global stage. The internships can prepare you for future leadership roles, and encourage you to become informed and culturally sensitive global citizens.
There are two types of internships under this program: the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). IEP interns are eligible for noncompetitive promotions and federal employee benefits. ITEP interns are appointed to temporary appointments, which will not exceed one year or their projected graduation date (whichever is shorter) and extensions may be made in one year increments.
Note: All vacancies part of this internship program are posted on USAJobs.gov. So details such as the application deadline, internship dates will vary from role to role, and will be available on each specific posting. Check the current vacancies here.
9. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Fields: STEM disciplines
Location: There are AEOP locations in almost every state, students may select their preferred location. The program is intended for commuters and transportation, meals, and housing are not provided.
Eligibility: Those applying must be current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. Additional eligibility requirements vary by location. Check details here.
Stipend: Varies from location to location.
Application deadline: Rolling basis. Check AEOP’s Summer 2024 opportunities here for the application dates.
Dates: This is a summer internship program, specific dates vary from location to location.
This program is a chance to work one-on-one with a university researcher or Department of Defense (DoD) scientist mentor on research projects. As an intern, you will be exposed to high-tech equipment and cutting-edge techniques in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, and have access to professional scientists and engineers. Additionally, you will learn from other STEM practitioners during the internship. The Army-sponsored research that you will be a part of addresses the USA’s biggest challenges. The program aims to hone critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills to prepare you for a career in STEM. Further, through expert mentorship and collaboration with professionals, you can contribute to the discovery and innovation that will benefit the country. You can check AEOP’s Summer 2024 opportunities here.
10. NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Fields: STEM subjects, primarily chemistry, physics, computer science, environmental science, and engineering. Applicants can check the details here before choosing a NIST laboratory.
Location: NIST laboratory at Boulder, Co or the Gaithersburg, MD campus. Students need to make their own arrangements for housing and transportation.
Stipend: Unpaid internship
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the USA can apply.
Application deadline: February 9, 2024. You can check the application guide here.
Dates: June 17, 2024–August 9, 2024
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is one of the oldest physical science laboratories and a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) is an 8-week unpaid internship for students who want to participate in scientific research. As an intern, you will work with scientists and engineers on a research problem and get a first-hand look at cutting-edge NIST research. NIST is divided into six organizational laboratories: Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL), Engineering Laboratory (EL), Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR), and Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML). You can look through the different websites and choose any one laboratory (based on your interest) and mention the same in your personal statement while applying. If you want to see the kind of research problems you will be working on, check out past SHIP projects here. Finally, you can apply via USAJobs.
Fields: STEM disciplines—mainly physics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL. No housing is provided; students will have to make their own arrangements to commute.
Stipend: $17.20/hour
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in Illinois can apply.
Application deadline: February 5, 2024
Dates: June 17, 2024–July 26, 2024
Fermilab is USA's premier particle physics and accelerator laboratory. It offers many programs for school and college students, of which, TARGET is a six-week paid summer internship opportunity for Illinois high school sophomores and juniors. If you have an interest in physics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering, this can be a good opportunity to work with scientists and engineers at Fermilab. Each year, the program typically has a cohort of 15 to 25 interns. With this program, Fermilab aims to increase the representation of underrepresented minorities and women in STEM. The program combines work with experiential learning to encourage high school students to opt for college and pursue careers in STEM disciplines.
12. U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Fields: Economics, management/business, policy, and public service
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: None
Eligibility: High school students in the US who are enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution can apply.
Application deadline: Varies for all three Internship periods. You can apply in October for the Spring Internship period, in December for the Summer Internship, and in June for the Fall Internship.
Dates: Treasury typically offers internship opportunities in the spring, summer, and fall:
- Spring internships run from January to May
- Summer internships run from May to August
- Fall internships run from September to December
The Treasury’s Departmental Offices (headquarters) internship is an unpaid opportunity for high school students. Interns will collect, analyze, and present policy data, as well as conduct research and summarize academic literature and news important for the department’s top missions. Additionally, students get to attend and report on Congressional hearings, meetings, and conferences. This is a solid program for students to build the foundation for a career in public service. Through the internship, you can hone your research and analytical skills and build management and organizational skills through interactions with Treasury colleagues and other U.S. government agencies. You can choose to intern at any one of the several offices that make up the Treasury Departmental Offices (headquarters).
13. Department of Education's Internship Opportunities
Fields: Multidisciplinary
Location: Washington D.C.
Stipend: None
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply
Application deadline: Rolling, dependent on program dates.
- Fall internship applications are open from May 1 to July 31
- Winter/spring internship applications are open from September 1 to November 30
- Summer internship applications are open from January 1 to March 31
Dates: ED offers internships in the summer, fall, and winter/spring, with each program lasting 8 to 10 weeks.
- Fall internships run from September to December
- Winter/spring internships run from January to May
- Summer internships run from May/June to July/August
The Department of Education (ED) offers internships for students interested in getting some work experience in government and federal education, policy, and administration. The aim is to tailor the internship experience to the student’s interest, so you can choose opportunities from areas like Education Policies, Data Analytics, Grants Management, and more. Interns usually work 20 to 40 hours per week during the spring and fall terms and full-time in the summer session. That being said, all scheduling, including start/end dates and hours per week, is flexible and can be negotiated. This is a great way to network and potentially build a foundation for a government career.
14. Bureau of Land Management’s Internship Program
Fields: Multidisciplinary with a focus on environmental sciences like forestry, natural resources, and wildlife biology. You can check the career fields for the last round of BLM internships.
Location: Internships are available in multiple states.
Stipend: Paid opportunities. The stipend depends on the department, but is usually the federal minimum wage.
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old can apply.
Application deadline: Rolling basis, as and when internships open up.
Dates: Exact dates can vary based on the vacancies. Duration depends on type of internship—1 year or more for indefinite interns and less than 1 year for temporary interns.
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the US Department of the Interior. The Bureau offers two types of internships to high school students. The first type is an indefinite intern, who is expected to work for at least a year. The second is called an Intern Not-To-Exceed (NTE), who is expected to work short-term or less than a year for short-term projects or summer jobs. Regardless of the type of internship you choose, the internship will involve establishing an Individual Development Plan for you, outlining the position-specific training required for your career development. The internship will also help you explore civil service careers and get a preview of land conservation, management, and protection policy.
15. US Youth Conservation Corps
Fields: Environmental stewardship/management, natural and environmental sciences, and public service
Location: Multiple locations. Most YCC opportunities are non-residential, so no housing is provided unless specifically mentioned.
Stipend: Federal minimum wage or the state minimum wage, whichever is higher
Eligibility: High schoolers who are at least 15 years old can apply.
Application deadline: Rolling
Dates: 4–10 weeks of work spread across 1 to 3 months in the summer. Dates to be announced.
The United States Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a summer youth employment program for high school students interested in having work experiences in national forests and parks, wildlife refuges, and fish hatcheries across the country. The program is administered jointly by the U.S. Department of the Interior—National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service—and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S. Forest Service). If selected, interns will be involved in activities including building and repairing trails, preserving and repairing historic buildings, removing invasive species, helping with wildlife and land research, and leading environmental education. The goal is to help young interns develop an ethic of environmental stewardship and civic responsibility. You will be expected to work 40 hours/week. Apart from the US Forest Service platform, you should check the National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sites to look for YCC opportunities.
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Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.