14 Internships for High School Freshmen
Internships can be a great way for high school students to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience. Internships give you the chance to work on impactful projects, receive mentorship, and develop workplace competencies that can’t be taught in a lecture hall. And, they give your college applications a boost!
If you’re a high school freshman, there is a wide range of internship opportunities you can consider. To help you find one best suited for your interests and needs, we’ve curated this list of 14 internships you can consider.
Location: Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap year students! Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Cost: Starting at $1,990. Financial assistance is available.
Ladder Internships offers a selective program providing students with virtual internship experiences at global startups and nonprofits. The program offers various intern positions in a wide range of industries, so students can choose the field they wish to work in. The curriculum balances academic enrichment and practical skill development for high school students. These internships offer a structured pathway for real-world research and innovation.
During the internship, students will work on meaningful projects that align with the startup's needs and present their work at the end of the program. For instance, an intern interested in AI and tech worked on building mini AR models to facilitate STEM learning for children aged 8 and up. Interns will collaborate with their startup manager and a Ladder Coach, who serves as a second mentor. This internship program includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, among other skills, and group training sessions with fellow interns.
The internship opportunities in this program span the globe, with a concentration in the U.S., Asia, Europe, and the UK. Fields include technology, machine learning, AI, finance, environmental science, sustainability, business, marketing, healthcare, medicine, media, journalism, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
2. California Academy of Science Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California
Eligibility: Students who
- are currently enrolled full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school - check if your school qualifies here;
- have maintained a GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in science and math
- can obtain a valid work permit (US citizens and others authorized to work in the US);
- can commit to all attendance requirements for 2 or 3 years, through high school graduation;
- can commute to the Academy and nearby locations after school and on Saturdays during the school year, and on weekdays in the summer (some remote work may be required);
- demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for learning, teaching, and doing science can apply.
Application Deadline: April 5, 2024
Program Dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation.
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend, but information on the exact amount is not available.
Careers in Science (CiS) is a multi-year, year-round, paid internship and youth development program for students from communities that are underrepresented in STEM, including girls and students of color. If you’re keen on exploring a career in the sciences, look through the details of this immersive internship program. During this program, you will get the chance to work with scientists, researchers and educators at the California Academy of Sciences. You will also be exposed to scientific research and science communication. As an intern, you will participate in interactive training sessions, outdoor field activities and receive guidance on your college applications. You will also work on a science research or environmental action group project during the program.
3. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary (including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, outreach, communications and more)
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Students may select roles based in cities they are in.
Eligibility: Internships are available for full-time high school students who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
Application Deadline: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Program Dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions – Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August).
Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internship opportunities based in most of its sites across the country. These internships can be unique, impressive opportunities for students to contribute to current projects at the agency under the mentorship of researchers, scientists and engineers at NASA. The program includes training, mentoring, and career development opportunities, while students work with the top science, engineering, financial, information technology and business minds in the world. The internships are offered in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and even outreach and communications.
During a NASA STEM internship, you could participate in designing experiments, analyzing data from space missions, or developing new technologies – engaging in real-world experiences, getting valuable experience and a solid insight into NASA's work. You can check out all the open positions here — you may have to use the “Filter” option to see opportunities only open to high school students. If you’re a budding engineer or astrophysicist, interning with NASA is the most prestigious experience you can have in your college application!
4. SparkSIP Summer Internship Program
Subject areas: Computer science, biotechnology, communications and outreach, research, physics and more.
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 40 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Application Deadline: May 1, 2024 (based on past year's dates)
Program Dates: 6-8 weeks, June to August
Stipend: While some internships are unpaid, some offer a maximum stipend of $500.
This prestigious program, with an acceptance rate of about less than 5%, is open to all high schoolers interested in CS and related subjects. The Spark SIP program is an opportunity for students to dive into research areas in the field, interact and learn from scholars and leaders, and gain real-world experience through a full-time summer internship.
Students must select 5-6 projects that they’d like to work on. For the 2023 cohort, the research project list included the following topics (among others):
2D Materials - A new class of conductors and semiconductors for future
Preparing Python script for crossbar architecture and exploring its various non-idealities)
Understanding spike-timing and spike-rate impact on Spiking Neural Network (SNN)
The program allows students to work on real-world applications of concepts in machine learning, computer programming, computer vision, and neural networks, while interacting with and learning from industry leaders, university professors and mentors. Moreover, SPARK provides opportunities and resources that can be used during and after college applications.
5. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program
Subject areas: Very wide range of subjects!
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Internships can be in-person, entirely virtual, or hybrid.
Eligibility: For the remote internships and in-person/hybrid computer lab internships students must be 15 years or older by June-end, 2024. For the ‘Wet-lab’ in-person or hybrid internships students must be 16 or older by June-end, 2024.
Application Deadline: The deadline is not specified, but expect it to be around January or February.
Program Dates: June-end to mid-August (tentatively, based on previous years).
Cost: $25 application fee (Transportation and housing are not covered).
Note: While the program accepts international applications, specific research labs may be unavailable for non-US citizens.
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program is for high school students who wish to work one-on-one with faculty researchers at George Mason University to develop their own research projects. In the 8-week internship, you will:
Gain hands-on experience using state-of-the-art, sophisticated equipment and tech
Develop and apply scientific writing and communication skills
Explore STEM career choices through discussion forums and meetings with role models
Develop and apply creative skills, which are crucial to performing innovative research
Previous projects include research in antibiotic development, measuring Volatile Organic Carbon (VOC), and diagnosis of tuberculosis through qPCR. You can look at previous research here!
Note: For 2024, ASSIP internships can either be fully remote, entirely in-person, or hybrid! This depends on your mentor's choice and their requirements.
6. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Subject areas: Aquatic science, fisheries science
Location: Based on your locality (Hutton aims to match students within a 45-minute commute of your home)
Eligibility: All current high school students who live and have residency in the United States, Mexico, and Canada are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: January 16, 2024
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer.
Stipend: $3,000
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an 8-week paid summer internship and mentoring program sponsored by the American Fisheries Society. The program aims to encourage interest in fisheries and aquatic science, especially among underrepresented groups. As a Hutton Scholar, you will be paired with and mentored by a fisheries professional in your local area. Interns will gain hands-on fisheries science experience in marine or freshwater, and experience in conducting laboratory and field research.
Interns participate in resource conservation and management projects, and will learn about career opportunities. Some possible activities include electrofishing, examining specimens, data procession, establishing aquatic vegetation and fish habitats, and more. This program also includes an all-expense paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit conducted at the University of Arkansas!
7. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: Students 15 years or older by July 1, 2020, who attend a NYC public or charter school within 45 minutes of Genspace, can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the fall and close in February.
Program dates: Spring semester (February to May) | Summer semester (July to August). For exact dates take a look at the region-wise program information.
Stipend: $1,000
Genspace, a community biotech lab in New York City, offers this internship program for students interested in biotechnology and genetic engineering. Through this research internship, you will conduct cutting-edge research in a range of topics such as DNA sequencing, genetic engineering, and bioinformatics. Experts from the field will mentor you, helping deepen your understanding of the intricate workings of life sciences. The program provides access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and technologies, guiding you to develop essential laboratory techniques and analytical skills. A few research subjects that student interns covered in the past include the behaviors of biofilm, algal growth in relation to water purification, and Zebrafish liver cells as biosensors.
This program emphasizes practical learning, encouraging students to conduct real experiments in a fully-equipped biotech laboratory. This program equips students with practical biotech skills and fosters a deep passion for the field, instilling a sense of responsibility for the ethical and responsible use of biotechnology.
8. New York City Bar's Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP)
Location: New York City
Eligibility: NYC public high school students are eligible to apply
Application Deadline: Applications close in January.
Program Dates: May – August
Stipend: $15-21 per hour
Acceptance Rate: 10-11%, with approximately 45 students making it to each year’s cohort.
The New York City High School Law Internship Program aims to connect interested high school students in the city with legal employers. Since its inception in 1993, it has accepted more than 2000 interns and linked them with prestigious employers. The employers include law firms, corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. The internship offers you practical training, panel discussions, and networking events to help you prepare for a career in law. Internship duties may include assisting paralegals, filing paperwork, maintaining records, and organizing documents. In addition to the on-the-job experience, you will also receive exposure to the legal profession through development programs offered by your legal employers as part of the internship program.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California
Eligibility: High school and community college students considering careers in biomedical and biological sciences and/or healthcare. Students must be age 16 or older at the time of the program to apply.
Application Deadline: November 30
Program dates: June 17 to August 4
Cost/Stipend: None.
The Stanford Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery Internship Program offers an extraordinary opportunity for students interested in biotechnology to explore the intersection of medical innovation and advanced biotech applications. Hosted by the prestigious Stanford University, this program provides a unique and immersive experience. It’s focused on the cutting-edge field of reconstructive surgery, which relies heavily on biotechnological advances to improve the outcomes of surgical procedures. Participants gain hands-on experience working alongside leading reconstructive surgeons and researchers, exposing them to state-of-the-art biotech tools and techniques. This program not only equips students with practical skills in areas such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and medical devices but also instills a deep appreciation for the transformative impact of biotechnology in the medical field. This internship Program is a great choice if you are looking to combine your passion for biotechnology with a commitment to medical innovation and patient care, setting you on a path to contribute to both the biotech and healthcare industries in meaningful ways.
10. High School Business Internship with PNNL
Location: Richmond, Washington
Eligibility: High-school students
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so it is recommended to apply as soon as they open in early February
Program dates: During the academic year (August through May)
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend.
Working with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a business intern is a great way to gain exposure, build on your skills, and network during your school year. PNNL allows high school students to apply to internships that last through the academic year. You are expected to work 4 hours every day, 5 working days a week. PNNL coordinates with your high school to enable this as a Work-Based Learning Program. This means that your work offers elective credits at your high school. For the internship, you will be paired with mentors in PNNL’s business/administrative department. You will also participate in various leadership development activities/workshops.
11. Internships at American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Remote or Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: High school student, specific details vary based on the internship
Application Deadline: Rolling, see the application portal for open opportunities
Program Length: Year-Round
Cost: No cost
The American Psychological Association, known informally as APA, is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. Internships at APA are intended for students passionate about applying psychological knowledge for societal benefit, with roles in policy, communications, operations research, IT and financial services. As an intern, you will have a variety of responsibilities, depending on the needs of the office you’re assigned to and your particular interests and skills. You may participate in research, writing and web-based projects, and assist staff with administrative tasks and special projects. Interns will have an opportunity to engage in different activities in their office, applying theoretical knowledge to practice and foster a better understanding of a workplace environment in professional psychology. Interns will report directly to their supervisor for daily tasks and support for overall learning objectives. Interns may also attend workshops, discussions, participate in group projects, or other various tasks.
Both paid and unpaid internships are offered, and will require a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. An internship with APA is a great opportunity to foster a greater understanding of professional psychology at a prestigious and nationally recognized organization.
12. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia) options available
Eligibility: High school students who have the right to work in the US can apply.
Application deadline: July - Fall internship | November - Spring internship | March - Summer internships
Program dates: September - December (Fall) | February - May (Spring) | June - August (Summer)
Cost/Stipend: None.
This competitive internship program is for ambitious high school students interested in pursuing a career in international relations. This program is designed to develop industry-specific skills in foreign policy and relations, as well as sharpen critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. You get the chance to connect with members of the foreign relations community and attend weekly foreign policy seminars with guest speakers. You can apply to be a research intern, a special events intern, or an operations intern, and you also have the opportunity to work on a research paper for publication on FPRI’s Intern Corner.
13. Jimerson Birr's School Internships (Business Law)
Location: Jimerson Birr office, Jacksonville, FL.
Eligibility: High school students who can work at the Jimerson Birr office in Florida.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in the spring.
Program dates: 4-6 weeks in the summer.
Cost/Stipend: None.
Jimerson Birr is a Florida-based law firm ranked as one of the Best Law Firms in America according to US News & World Report. Their 4-6 week internship program is designed to give you a real taste of the business law world. You'll get to work at one of various departments, from accounting to legal services, and work alongside industry leaders to hone your professional abilities. The firm claims a strong commitment to client-focused solutions, meaning you'll learn how to think like a lawyer: strategically, proactively, and with a keen eye for detail.
The exposure you’ll get will be solid, as you’ll be working with department heads to ensure your professional skills develop. As a Jimerson Birr intern, you’ll choose the department you want to work with during the application process itself, whether accounting, communications and marketing, legal services, or information technology. Throughout the internship, you’ll be working directly with the firm’s staff and attorneys, attending biweekly team meetings, and actually contributing to active cases and research.
14. Benjamin Lawless Internship at the Smithsonian Office of Internship Programs
Location: Washington, DC
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students and recent graduates can apply.
Program dates: 5 weeks in the summer.
Stipend: $3,200
This paid summer internship is for students who wish to hone their creativity and imagination in the art of expression. Over the course of 5 weeks, you will learn about audience engagement, exhibition design, and research stories associated with objects of all kinds and the people who used and created them. As an intern, you will work on finding new ways to tell stories inspired by the Smithsonian’s collections and research, fostering a deeper understanding of art, science, history, and culture. You will work closely with experienced professionals in the industry, curators and educators at a renowned cultural institution, the Smithsonian. At the end of the program, you will have the opportunity to present an expression of your internship experience in any form you choose.