12 Internships for High School Students in Orlando
Summer break can be a valuable time to explore your interests and gain practical experience outside the classroom. Internships for high school students let you develop skills, connect with professionals, and get a clearer sense of different career paths. You can try out fields like science, business, healthcare, or the arts while building your resume and learning how workplaces operate.
If you’re a high school student in Orlando, local internships make it easier to participate without high travel or housing costs. Orlando hosts a variety of programs, including opportunities at companies, nonprofits, and research institutions, and many offer stipends or are free, making them accessible for motivated students.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 12 internships for high school students in Orlando, including both in-person and virtual options.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local to the student’s community, including Orlando, FL
Cost & Stipend: Free; paid internship
Program Dates: 8 weeks during summer (varies by state/location); July 21 – July 26 (Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC)
Deadlines: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are community-minded, legally authorized to work in the U.S., and able to attend a week-long summit in Washington, D.C.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program connects community-minded high school students to employment, skills development, and service. You’ll undertake an 8-week paid internship with a local nonprofit organization, gaining practical work experience and insights into community issues. Additionally, you’ll attend a week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., to learn about civic, social, and business leadership. The program fosters leadership skills through hands-on projects and networking with professionals. You’ll collaborate with nonprofit leaders on initiatives such as community outreach and program development.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost & Stipend: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts – Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Deadlines: Varies by cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. You’ll work with high-growth start-ups across industries like tech, health tech, marketing, and journalism. Interns collaborate closely with managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects, such as developing marketing strategies or coding software features. You’ll present your work to the company, gaining valuable feedback and experience. The program offers structured training in communication and time management, making it ideal for students seeking insights into the startup ecosystem. With flexible scheduling, you can balance this internship with your academic commitments, making it a great option for high school students in Orlando.
3. NASA Internships
Location: Various NASA centers, including Kennedy Space Center, FL
Cost & Stipend: Free; paid internship
Program Dates: Three sessions – Spring, Summer (June – August), Fall
Deadlines: September 12 (Spring); February 27 (Summer); May 22 (Fall)
Eligibility: High school students, at least 16 years old, who are U.S. citizens, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships that immerse high school students in the agency’s mission to advance science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. You’ll work alongside research scientists and engineers on cutting-edge projects, such as satellite design or data analysis. The program provides mentorship and hands-on experience at NASA centers, including the Kennedy Space Center near Orlando. Internships are offered in multiple sessions, allowing flexibility in scheduling. This prestigious opportunity is an excellent option for students passionate about space and innovation, particularly those in Orlando seeking high-caliber internships.
4. Lockheed Martin High School Internship Program
Location: Cape Canaveral, FL
Cost & Stipend: Free; unpaid
Program Dates: 9+ weeks during the Summer
Deadlines: October – January
Eligibility: High school students demonstrably interested in STEM, aged 16+ (graduating seniors not eligible)
The Lockheed Martin High School Internship Program offers students the chance to work on real aerospace projects alongside industry professionals. You’ll engage in hands-on activities related to engineering, technology, and defense, such as designing components or analyzing systems. Interns gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies and are directly mentored by experts in a leading global security and aerospace company. The program emphasizes practical skills, such as the use of CAD software and project management, as well as soft skills, including networking and shadowing. You may participate in team projects that contribute to Lockheed Martin’s mission.
5. Summer Youth Program by CareerSource Central Florida
Location: Central Florida, including Orlando
Cost & Stipend: Free; up to $1200 stipend for students aged 14-16; $15/hour for students aged 17-19
Program Dates: June 3 – August 9 (tentative)
Deadlines: April 30 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-19
The Summer Youth Program, offered by CareerSource Central Florida, provides high school students with paid internship opportunities at local employers in Central Florida. You’ll earn stipends while gaining work experience, mentorship, and training in work readiness, financial literacy, and soft skills. The program connects you with professionals in various industries, helping you explore career paths. You’ll participate in projects that enhance your resume, such as administrative tasks or community outreach. This initiative is designed to prepare you for future careers through practical experience and professional development.
6. EnergyMag Research Internships
Location: Remote
Cost & Stipend: Free
Program Dates: Flexible – 2-8 weeks (half-time) or 1-9 months (quarter-time)
Deadlines: Rolling
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, with one honors science/English class, GPA >3.25
The EnergyMag Research Internships offer high school students the opportunity to work in the renewable energy sector from anywhere in the world. As part of this program, you'll conduct research and analysis, working on projects that support sustainable energy solutions. This program is designed for students interested in environmental science and sustainability, offering hands-on experience in a rapidly growing industry. You’ll gain valuable skills in data analysis, report writing, and project management while making a meaningful difference in addressing global energy challenges.
7. PHC Group High School Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost & Stipend: Free; paid internship
Program Dates: Varies by position and project timeline
Deadlines: Rolling
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors permitted to work in the U.S.
The PHC Group Summer Program offers paid virtual internships for high school students. You’ll work on social media projects, online community engagement, and technical support under the guidance of the Public Health Director. The program focuses on developing leadership skills and public health knowledge through team projects with senior leadership. You’ll explore creative approaches to virtual collaboration and contribute to PHC Group’s mission. This internship provides a unique opportunity to gain experience in a global team setting.
8. Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internship
Location: Virtual and in-person options available
Cost & Stipend: Free; stipends available
Program Dates: Multiple sessions – Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter; 6-week to yearlong commitment (minimum 15-20 hrs./week)
Deadlines: March 1 (Summer session); Rolling basis (all other sessions; submit at least 6 weeks before intended start)
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in cultural heritage fields
With the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internships, you can explore a range of fields, including folklore, cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, linguistics, museum studies, arts administration, graphic design, web design, videography, marketing, social media, and library science. Your projects might involve the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives, educational outreach, or research on cultural sustainability. Under the guidance of professional staff, you’ll gain hands-on experience tailored to your interests, whether researching traditional music, producing festival content, or promoting cultural heritage. This prestigious and flexible program is a good option for Orlando students passionate about preserving and promoting cultural traditions.
9. Building-U Virtual Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost & Stipend: Free; no stipend
Program Dates: Any 3 months year-round
Deadlines: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
Building-U is a nonprofit organization that empowers high school students through virtual internships focused on business operations and content development. Over three months, you’ll work on real-world projects in areas such as multimedia, marketing, coding, and social media, gaining practical experience and building your portfolio. The program encourages leadership and problem-solving skills, preparing you for future academic and career endeavors. You’ll collaborate with peers and mentors to solve business challenges and create impactful content. It’s an accessible option for high school students in Orlando seeking virtual internships.
10. Medicine Encompassed Virtual Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost & Stipend: Free; no stipend
Program Dates: Year-round during the school year
Deadlines: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Medicine Encompassed provides virtual internships for high school students who are interested in medicine and healthcare. With more than 18 specialized committees, you’ll work to develop educational materials, support outreach initiatives like Project Cultivation, and promote accessible medical education. Depending on your role, you may be involved in writing, editing, or designing study guides, blog posts, and presentations. You’ll also be researching medical topics and turning them into user-friendly resources for a broader audience.
11. Smithsonian Digital Volunteers Internship
Location: Remote
Cost & Stipend: Free; no stipend
Program Dates: Year-round
Deadlines: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The Smithsonian Digital Volunteers opportunity provides remote internships for high school students passionate about history, culture, and the arts. Through programs like the Smithsonian Transcription Center, you’ll assist in digitizing museum collections, making them more accessible to the public. In the “Online Engagement” internship, you’ll work on promoting the museum’s mission and engaging with its audience online. These internships offer a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s leading cultural institutions while developing skills in digital archiving, content creation, and public outreach. You’ll gain valuable experience that can enhance your college applications and future career prospects.
12. Library of Congress High School Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost & Stipend: Free; unpaid
Program Dates: June 23 – July 17
Deadlines: February 28
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 16+
The Library of Congress High School Internship Program lets you work remotely to create content for the library’s exhibitions. Throughout the experience, you'll delve into cultural heritage and research, gaining knowledge of library science and content creation. You'll collaborate with the Center for Learning, Literacy, and Engagement to develop digital media and research skills. This program fosters a deeper understanding of cultural heritage and is a good option for students interested in history or literature.
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