11 Internships for High School Students in Ohio
Internships provide valuable opportunities for high school students to explore their interests, gain professional experience, and build important skills for their future careers. These programs help you enhance your resume, network with professionals, and gain a better understanding of different fields. If you're a resident of Ohio and looking to make the most of your free time, there are plenty of internship opportunities available in a range of areas, including STEM, art, business, and community service.
Here’s a list of 11 top high school internships in Ohio, with information on location, eligibility, dates, stipends, and other details to help you find the right opportunity.
1. The Ohio State University’s Explorations in Neuroscience Internship
Location: The Ohio State University
Application deadline: Typically in April first week
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors in high school are eligible to apply
Program dates: 7 weeks between June and August
Stipend: Paid, but no amount has been specified.
The Neuroscience Research Internship Program at Ohio State University provides students with research experience in neuroscience and biomedical research. There are multiple focused tracks to choose from, including neuroscience, neurological injury, and neurodegeneration, each offering intensive experiential research in laboratories. Researchers will mentor you, equipping you with valuable skills in scientific research and writing. This paid internship gives you the chance to network with an active academic community by interacting with peers, faculty, and the university staff. Upon the conclusion of the internship, you will get to present your research findings to your mentors and university faculty, giving you a taste of your research work.
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. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s High School Senior Summer Internship Program
Location: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Ohio
Application deadline: Applications open in Early November
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
Program dates: Eight weeks in June and July
Stipend: $13/hour
The Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital offers high school students a part-time experience in clinical research. Throughout this program, you'll spend 20 hours per week working closely with a mentor from one of the hospital's diverse clinical specialities, such as pediatric surgery, developmental biology, or human genetics. This mentorship involves shadowing and contributing to ongoing research projects, providing a firsthand look and insights into medical research and patient care. Beyond research, the program fosters professional growth through networking opportunities with peers and exposure to various research areas within the hospital. The internship additionally has hands-on training with computerized simulated patients.
4. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: All states in the USA, including Ohio. You will be assigned a location nearest to your residence.
Application Deadline: Applications will open between November - February
Eligibility: All current high school students who live and reside in the United States
Program Dates: 8 weeks between June to August
Stipend: $3,000
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an opportunity for high school students interested in animal biology and related fields. As a scholar, you will be guided by a mentor who is a researcher in the field and will aid you in engaging in activities such as field sampling, data analysis, and habitat restoration projects. You will get the chance to gain hands-on fisheries science experience in marine or freshwater environments, conducting laboratory and field research. You will also participate in management projects and efforts for resource conservation. Some of the activities you would be involved in outdoors are electrofishing, examining specimens under a microscope, water quality testing, data processing, and more. You will get to explore academic and career-related opportunities in the field with the help of your mentor.
5. NASA’s SCaN Internship Project (SIP)
Location: NASA Glen Research Center, Cleveland
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and are U.S. citizens
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Program dates: 10 weeks. Typically, in early June and ends in August
Stipend: Unpaid
The NASA SIP Program is a 10-week internship that allows high school students to work with NASA's Space Communication and Navigation department, offering a blend of mentorship and practical experience. Under the guidance of a seasoned mentor, you'll be immersed in the analysis of sophisticated space communication systems and networks. Throughout the program, you'll explore cutting-edge technology and software used by NASA. What sets this internship apart is its accessibility requirement of a STEM background. The program culminates in a presentation event, where you get to showcase your findings and insights gained during the internship. The standout student will get the rare opportunity to attend the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) meeting.
6. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
Location: NASA centres across the country, including Ohio. You can check the opportunities available in the state using this map.
Application Deadline: August 23 (Spring), February 28 (Summer), and May 16 (Fall)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in high school, aged 16 or above, with a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) are eligible to apply
Program dates: Spring session (Mid-January - Early May) | Summer Session (Early June- August) | Fall session (Early September - December)
Stipend: A stipend will be paid.
The NASA OSTEM High School internships will provide you with exposure to space sciences and astronomy. You will get to work with the most advanced technologies used in space exploration, satellite communication, and aerospace engineering. Be it in robotics, the development of software, or the complex mechanisms of a spacecraft, you will find a role that caters to your interests. The internship program also provides additional access to high-end NASA facilities and resources. You will gain hands-on experience within the world-class NASA labs, be a part of ongoing projects, and work with research scientists. With an acceptance rate of 4–6%, NASA’s high school internships are highly selective and provide mentorship and training.
7. Project SEED by American Chemical Society
Location: Available in multiple US locations, including Ohio
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (and recent graduates) who have completed one course in high school chemistry. Note: Project SEED has multiple criteria that can be verified here!
Program Dates: 10 weeks, June to August
Stipend: $4000 as stipend
Project SEED is a solid opportunity for students interested in life sciences, as the internship teaches lab skills essential to chemistry and related fields. You will get the opportunity to work in laboratories at universities and other important sites associated with the US government for 8–10 weeks. As an intern, you will work on an independent research project according to your interests, choosing from a wide range of Project SEED labs and locations. This opportunity is targeted towards underrepresented communities, with a selective cohort of only 350 students. These students will be provided internships along with assistance with university applications. Your coordinator for the project can also register you for the American Chemical Society National Meeting, where you can present your work.
8. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Across the United States, including Ohio.
Application deadline: Applications open in the fall
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors. See all eligibility criteria here.
Program dates: 8 weeks between June and August
Stipend: $15-$20 per hour
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is a paid opportunity for students to work with nonprofits in their state and gain experience in leadership positions. By partnering with a local non-profit organization, you will have the opportunity to develop leadership and community-building skills. The integral aspect of the program is enabling students like you to gain insights into non-profit management, participate in community service projects, and enhance their understanding of societal issues. This 8-week paid internship also includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC, with travel, accommodation, and meals provided by the bank. It is important to note that the internship is selective in nature, as only about 300 bright high school students are selected from programs across the country.
9. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program (AFRL)
Location: Multiple labs across the country. Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio.
Application Deadline: Applications are open. You can apply here.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and will be at least 16 years of age at the time of application
Program dates: Spring Cohort- January to May (16 weeks) | Summer Cohort- June to August (10 weeks) | Fall Cohort - September to December (16 weeks)
Cost/Stipend: $492.40 weekly
The Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program (AFRL) gives high school students a chance to work on research projects to support the U.S. Air Force’s mission, providing exposure to aerospace and engineering research. You will get to collaborate with top-tier scientists and engineers on projects that interest you in the field of aerospace. Alongside the basics of aerospace-related research, you will get to engage in data analysis, processing, learning design and development, and many more skills that will equip you with both practice and theory, giving you a holistic experience. Besides, it will also equip you with the basic skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.
10. NSA High School Work Study
Location: All States across the United States, including Ohio.
Application deadline: October 31.
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years of age
Program dates: September to August of your senior year
Stipend: Paid, but the amount is not specified
This National Security Agency Work Study program is designed for high school juniors, offering a part-time employment opportunity in areas like business, computer science, engineering, graphic arts, languages, and more. There are multiple profiles, such as administrative roles, vocational opportunities, and language. If you’re interested in administrative and technical roles, you can choose positions such as office assistant, where you’ll perform essential administrative tasks, or computer assistant, where you will be operating or maintaining advanced data processing equipment. In the vocational tracks, opportunities in the Model Shop and Vo-Tech roles offer the chance to develop skills in machining, welding, woodworking, 3D printing, and more.
11. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: The applications usually close around February.
Eligibility: High school students applying for the virtual internships should be at least 15 years old at the start of the program.
Program dates: Eight weeks between June and August
Stipend: Unpaid
George Mason University’s ASSIP is an 8-week internship for students interested in STEM, offering experience in research. As a part of the program, you will work with a faculty researcher who will serve as your mentor. You can choose your mentor according to your areas of interest and whether they are available to offer you a remote internship opportunity. During the program, you will get the chance to become acquainted with cutting-edge equipment and technologies, hone your scientific writing, and explore STEM careers through talks and meetings. The program wraps up with the annual ASSIP Research Symposium and Celebration. One of the major benefits is that participants have the opportunity to have their names published in scientific journals and present their work at scientific conferences.
Image Sources - Ohio State University Logo