15 Internships for High School Students in Manhattan
Whether you're curious about a specific field or just want to get some hands-on exposure, an internship can bridge the gap between academic learning and its practical applications. It can also improve your college applications and employability, by demonstrating initiative, adaptability, and a genuine interest in your chosen field. If you’re based in Manhattan, you’re in luck!
Manhattan, in New York City, with its diverse industries, fast-paced media landscape, and globally connected organizations, offers a wide range of opportunities for high school students across fields like journalism, public policy, STEM, medicine and the arts. To help you get started, we’ve curated this list of the top 15 internships for high school students in Manhattan, so you can find ones best suited to your interests, skills and goals. Whether you're looking to explore journalism at a leading media conglomerate or conduct research in a laboratory, this blog has something for you. Let’s take a look!
1. Manhattan District Attorney High School Internship
Location: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, New York City, New York
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who live or attend school in Manhattan
Dates: June 30 - August 1 (5 weeks)
Applicaiton Deadline: March
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid minimum wage
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office High School Internship is a paid, five-week program that gives you a closer look at the criminal justice system. You’ll take part in workshops, discussions, and presentations on topics like law, policy, police-community relations, and civic engagement. While supporting daily office functions, you’ll also sharpen your research, writing, and public speaking skills. The program is designed to help you understand how the justice system works, from policy decisions to courtroom processes, while building leadership and critical thinking skills. You’ll meet professionals working in law, politics, sociology, and public policy, giving you a sense of possible career paths. By the end, you’ll have hands-on experience and a stronger understanding of how justice is shaped in society.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Cost/Stipend: Varies with program type
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. As a Ladder intern, you will work with a high-growth start-up on virtual 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 that are raising over a million dollars on average. In the program, you will work closely with your startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach on current projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship also includes professional skills and group training sessions.
3. NYC Mayor’s Office Internship
Location: Various city department offices across New York City, including those in Manhattan
Eligibility: Must be 16 years of age or older; Must be enrolled in high school and must be a New York City resident.
Dates: June 10 - August 9
Application Deadline: March 31
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a stipend of $15/hour is provided
The Office of the Mayor in New York City offers a high school internship where you get to see how the city government works from the inside. You’ll choose a department, such as communications, data, policy, or community outreach, and take on real projects like drafting briefings, analyzing data, staffing events, and supporting daily office tasks. Along the way, you’ll receive mentorship from public servants who guide you through the process of civic administration and policymaking. Through a bi-weekly Speaker Series, you’ll hear directly from Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, and program directors about their work and careers. You’ll also collaborate on a group service project that helps New York communities, giving you the chance to make an impact while building essential skills.
4. MET Internships
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan, New York City
Eligibility: Sophomores or Juniors who live or attend school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
Dates: June 22 - August 9
Application Deadline: March 8
Cost/Stipend: No cost; High school interns receive a stipend commensurate with New York State minimum wage law
The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers paid internship opportunities for high school sophomores and juniors living in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. As a student intern, you will work closely, individually or in small groups, with museum professionals across a variety of disciplines. You will be expected to dedicate 40 hours of work that is specific to a department, with placements based on your interests, availability, and the needs of the museum's various projects. Past internships have spanned numerous areas including conservation, marketing, and editorial work, among others. This experience allows you to collaborate closely with renowned designers and contribute to high-profile events. The program is highly competitive and requires applicants to successfully get through several rounds of interviews to be accepted.
5. Project SEED by American Chemical Society
Location: Various locations across the country, including Columbia University and New York University in Manhattan, New York City. You can see all available locations here.
Eligibility: Applicants must: Be current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (and recent graduates); Have completed one course in high school chemistry.
Preference is given to students whose maximum family income does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size.
Note: Project SEED has multiple methods of documenting eligibility that you can access here!
Dates: 8-10 weeks, June to August
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns receive $4000
Project SEED is a paid summer fellowship that lets you spend 8–10 weeks working in a real chemistry lab. Every day, you’ll commute to a university, government, or industry lab, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture or NYU, and take on an independent research project in the area you choose. Alongside lab work, you may go on field trips, attend career panels, or explore campuses through guided tours. Project SEED places a special focus on supporting students from underrepresented communities, helping you gain relevant, practical experience and strengthen your college applications. As a bonus, you may be selected to attend the American Chemical Society National Meeting, where you can present your work to a national audience.
6. Tech Flex Leaders
Location: Hybrid, with in-person components in New York City, Miami, or Los Angeles
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in a New York City, Los Angeles, or Miami high school are eligible
Dates: 9 months starting in September
Application Deadline: August
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a $1,000 stipend is provided
The Tech Flex Leaders program gives you the chance to explore careers in technology while building real skills in areas like UX Design, Data Science, and Web Development. Beyond learning the basics, you’ll dive into workshops and hackathons where you solve problems, practice coding, and work on projects that reflect the challenges faced in the tech industry. Along the way, you’ll pick up programming languages, sharpen your design and analytical thinking, and learn how technology shapes the world around us. The program is designed to strengthen both your technical knowledge and your leadership skills. You’ll also meet and learn from industry experts, helping you build a strong professional network and a solid foundation for future opportunities in tech.
7. Thurgood Marshall NYC Bar Summer Law Internship
Location: Various legal institutions across New York City
Eligibility: NYC public high school students with a strong interest in law
Dates: 6-8 weeks starting May; specific dates may vary
Application Deadline: January 13
Cost/Stipend: No cost; interns will be paid $15-21 per hour
This internship program gives you the chance to explore the legal field by working directly with law firms, corporations, nonprofits, or government agencies across the city. You’ll support legal professionals through tasks like research, preparing documents, organizing records, and attending court proceedings. Alongside your daily work, you’ll join panel discussions, networking events, and professional development sessions that give you a deeper look into careers in law. You’ll also have the chance to shadow attorneys and learn how legal teams approach real cases. This program lets you gain key skills in writing, analysis, and advocacy while building connections that can help guide your future in law.
8. The New York Historical Society: Student Historian Internship Program
Location: The New York Historical Society, Manhattan, New York City
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12; must live in and attend school in the NYC metro area; more info here
Dates: July 8 - August 14
Application Deadline: Late-March or early-April
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Interns who attend a Title 1 School or are eligible for free or reduced lunch will be offered a stipend to participate. Unpaid internships will be provided for all other accepted students, with the option to receive community service hours or school credit
The Student Historian Internship at the New-York Historical Society gives you the chance to explore history, museums, libraries, and digital humanities while working on your own research project. You’ll use the museum’s collections, meet with professional staff, and collaborate with peers as you strengthen your research, writing, and digital media skills. Throughout the program, you’ll take part in workshops, field trips, and community-building activities that introduce you to the different ways history is studied and shared. Each year, the program focuses on a different theme, in the past, topics have included Frederick Douglass’ vision of America. By the end of the internship, you’ll present your work through an innovative digital project and gain experience in the world of history.
9. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Manhattan, New York City
Eligibility: Students residing in New York City, who will complete 10th or 11th grade in June, are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: Late-February or early-March
Dates: June 3 - August 9 (10 weeks)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students will receive a stipend of ~$1,000
NYU’s ARISE program is a 10-week summer experience where you’ll build research skills and work alongside leading scientists. The first four weeks focus on lab safety, research ethics, data analysis, and academic writing, giving you the foundation you need. For the final six weeks, you’ll join an NYU research lab in a field that interests you, whether that’s engineering, computer science, neuroscience, robotics, or environmental studies. You’ll spend about 120 hours contributing to ongoing projects while learning directly from faculty and graduate student mentors. During the program, you’ll also strengthen your public speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. The program ends with a formal research presentation at NYU and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History. For its last session, ARISE accepted 76-80 students into the program. You can view Research Opportunities for this summer's participating professors and their labs.
10. Apollo Theater Academy Technical Stage Production Internship
Location: Apollo Theater, Harlem, Manhattan, New York City
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors entering 12th grade in September; NYC residents in the five boroughs
Dates: July 7 - August 15
Application Deadline: April 7
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid $16.50/hour
The Apollo Theater Academy Technical Stage Production Internship is a six-week paid summer program where you’ll learn what it takes to bring live performances to life. Working side by side with Apollo’s professional production crew, you’ll get hands-on training in areas like lighting, sound, video, set design, and carpentry. Depending on your chosen track, you might learn how to operate sound equipment, design lighting for a show, or help build and manage stage sets. You’ll spend Mondays through Thursdays on-site at the theater and join virtual sessions on Fridays, giving you a mix of practical and professional development experience. This program is an opportunitiy to explore behind-the-scenes careers in theater and build relevant skills at one of NYC’s iconic venues.
11. JPMorgan Chase High School Internships
Location: New York City, New York (Manhattan, with some hybrid options)
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors and seniors, aged 16+, with strong academic records (minimum 3.0 GPA preferred) and an interest in finance or business.
Dates: Varies with the role
Application Deadline: Varies based on role.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid. The stipend varies but typically aligns with industry standards, e.g., $15-$20/hour
The JPMorgan Chase High School Internship gives you a chance to explore careers in finance while gaining real-world experience at one of the world’s leading firms. Working out of the company’s NYC offices, you’ll rotate through different areas of the company, learning about financial services, corporate functions, and business operations. During the school year you’ll work part-time, and in the summer you’ll take on a full-time role, contributing to projects, attending meetings, and working alongside experienced professionals. You’ll build skills in financial analysis, communication, and teamwork while gaining insight into how global business decisions are made. Along with mentorship and career exposure, the program also offers the incredible benefit of a four-year college scholarship.
12. Goldman Sachs High School Internship
Location: Manhattan, New York City
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors or seniors, aged 16+, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Dates: July - August (6–8 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 15
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students may receive a stipend
This internship gives you the chance to explore the world of finance at Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment bank. Working at their NYC offices, you’ll gain practical experience in departments like Investment Banking and Operations, where you’ll help with projects such as market research, data analysis, and client presentations. During the internship, you’ll sharpen your skills in financial analysis, teamwork, and communication while working closely with experienced professionals. The program includes training sessions on finance fundamentals and one-on-one mentorship to guide your work. From analyzing market trends to supporting corporate deals, you’ll play a real role in business operations and see how the finance industry works from the inside.
13. Ladders for Leaders
Location: Various organizations across New York City
Eligibility: High school and college students aged 16-24 who are residents of one of the five boroughs of New York City, have prior work experience (either paid or volunteer), and are legally allowed to work in the U.S.
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 3
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a stipend
A nationally recognized program, Ladders for Leaders, provides high school students with paid internship positions at top companies, nonprofits, and government agencies at locations across the country, including New York City, focusing on business roles. During these internships, you’ll get to contribute to market research, data analysis, administrative support, and project coordination in fields like finance, marketing, and business operations. Before your internship starts, you’ll complete 30 hours of training in resume writing, interview skills, and workplace readiness. With this program, you’ll get the chance to develop essential skills like communication, time management, and professional etiquette while working on actual business tasks.
14. Futures and Options Internship Program
Location: Broadway, Manhattan, New York City
Eligibility: Juniors or seniors enrolled in a high school in NYC, who are 16 – 19 years old, have a valid working card, and can lawfully work in the US
Dates: 6 weeks from July – August
Application Deadline: February 9
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid
The Futures and Options Internship Program gives you the chance to gain paid work experience while building essential career skills. You’ll be matched with a company that fits your interests, from industries like finance, marketing, healthcare, media, or nonprofits. Your role might involve tasks such as data analysis, client support, or helping with marketing projects, giving you real exposure to workplace dynamics. The program begins with orientations and workshops on resume writing, interviewing, financial literacy, and professional communication. You’ll also take part in field trips to leading companies and receive mentorship from a program coordinator, helping you explore career pathways.
15. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including Manhattan, New York City
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18
Dates: June 17 - July 19
Application Deadline: January
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will receive a stipend
The CLA High School Internship Program gives you the chance to explore accounting, business, and professional services through practical experience. You’ll work alongside professionals to learn how firms help clients with tax planning, auditing, and consulting. Interactive case studies will help you solve financial problems for different industries, while team projects will help build collaboration and communication skills. You’ll practice reviewing financial statements, calculating basic taxes, and using tools like Excel for data analysis. The program also includes workshops on professional skills such as time management, ethical decision-making, and client communication, offering insight into how businesses operate and serve their communities.
Image Source - NYU Logo