15 Internships for High School Students in Richmond, VA
If you are a high school student based in Richmond, VA, completing a local internship can help you build real-world skills, explore potential careers, demonstrate how teams operate, and add valuable experience to your resume or college applications. Employers and universities value students who take initiatives beyond the classroom!
There’s growing interest in internships for high school students in Richmond, VA, in fields ranging from local government to healthcare and media. Institutions such as the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University offer internships for high school students in Richmond, VA, at reduced tuition fees. Being local, these programs also help reduce travel and housing costs.
But not every program fits what high schoolers need. In this article, we’ve narrowed it down to the top 15 internships for high school students in Richmond, VA, including a few online opportunities as well. Each one offers structure, support, and hands-on learning, helping you stand out in college applications.
15 Internships for High School Students in Richmond, VA
1. Virginia Commonwealth University - Medical Science Internship Program (MSIP)
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Dates: June 23–July 31
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are current residents in the Greater Richmond Area
The VCU Medical Science Internship Program (MSIP) is a selective, six-week summer research opportunity designed for high school students in the Greater Richmond area who are interested in biomedical sciences. You will take part in real, hands-on laboratory research under the guidance of VCU faculty mentors, and gain exposure to cellular biology, genetics, biomedical engineering, and public health. You will conduct experiments in university research labs, attend medical and scientific seminars, prepare scientific posters, and present your research findings to peers and faculty. Through these experiences, you will develop valuable skills including critical thinking, scientific communication, laboratory techniques, and teamwork.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending program type | None
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. Fall cohort starts September 14
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Fall cohort August 24
Eligibility: High school students, undergrads, or gap year students who can work 10–20 hours a week for 8–16 weeks
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, connect you with startups and nonprofits across industries. They connect you with remote internships at global startups backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have experience at companies like Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. You’ll work on real projects in technology, machine learning, AI, finance, sustainability, healthcare, media, and more. The program matches you with a company and a mentor. You will meet with professionals, receive weekly feedback, and wrap up with a final presentation. You also receive a professional letter of recommendation, which can be useful for college or future jobs. You can check the application form here.
3. Virginia Commonwealth University - Dental Careers Exploration
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: Free | None
Dates: July 14-18
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade students from Richmond area high school students | Minimum GPA of 3.0 | U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents
VCU’s Dental Careers Exploration is a week-long program where you will learn what it’s like to work in the dentistry field. You’ll be part of hands-on labs, watch dental procedures, and visit clinics. Faculty and current dental students guide you through topics like oral health, dental tools, and patient care. Expect to meet professionals, ask questions, and get a feel of different roles—from hygienist to oral surgeon. You’ll also learn how to plan for college and what dental school involves. This internship is a good choice if you're curious about healthcare and want to explore options before making big decisions.
4. Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce - Internship Opportunities
Location: Hybrid; Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None | Provided, depending on the number of hours worked
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
Offered by the Asian American Business Assistance Center, this internship and mentorship program pairs you with local businesses and nonprofits. The internship learning modules include Business Development, Education and Outreach, Project Management, Event Planning & Logistics, and Government Affairs, where each placement matches your interests and career goals. You’ll work directly with professionals, attend job readiness workshops, and may even shadow leaders on-site in the activities of marketing, business research, industry analysis, social media, data gathering, project analysis, and more. The program builds workplace confidence, teaches practical skills, and helps you understand what day-to-day jobs look.
5. Virginia Public Media Internship Program
Location: VPM headquarters, Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None | $15/hour
Dates: Fall, Winter/Spring, and Summer internships available; exact dates not specified
Application Deadline: Varies by term (Fall: June 30, Winter/Spring: November 30, Summer: March 30)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The VPM Internship Program offers diverse internships in digital news, music/radio, marketing and communication, education and community engagement, and accounting. You’ll support teams in content creation, production, communications, or community outreach. Depending on your placement, you might help edit videos, assist with research, or attend planning meetings. You may visit production sets, observe recordings, and contribute to real projects, and staff members will guide you as you learn tools and workflows used in broadcasting. The internship’s pace is professional but welcoming, and it’s a good fit if you’re curious about media and storytelling.
6. Virginia Board for People with Disabilities - Youth Leadership Academy
Location: Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Dates: July 14-17
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Virginia-based high school sophomores, juniors, seniors having a developmental disability or another type of disability.
The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) is an intensive, multi-day summer program designed to empower high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with disabilities to build personal and leadership skills. In this program, you’ll take part in group discussions, career planning sessions, and hands-on activities led by mentors with disabilities. The week includes site visits to state offices, meetings with policymakers, and mock legislative sessions. You’ll also work on a personal leadership project and present it to your peers. The program focuses on communication, independence, and civic engagement. It’s fully residential, so you’ll stay on campus and connect with other students across Virginia.
7. Richmond YouthWORKS
Location: Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None | $17.20/hour
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Richmond youth in the age group 16-24
Richmond YouthWORKS is a city-sponsored internship and employment program designed to provide paid work experience, career exploration, and skill development for Richmond, CA youth aged 16–24. The program places you in real job settings across Richmond—nonprofits, city offices, schools, and more. You’ll work part-time, earn a paycheck, and build job skills like time management, communication, and teamwork. Before you start, you’ll join career readiness workshops that cover resumes, interviews, and workplace behavior. During the program, you’ll get guidance from mentors and may attend special events or site visits. Whether you’re helping at a summer camp or supporting office staff, this internship is structured and supportive.
8. Virginia Commonwealth University - Health Sciences Academy (HSA)
Location: Programming takes place at participating high schools and includes field trips to VCU’s Monroe Park and Health (MCV) campuses in Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Dates: January - May
Application Deadline: Application information and deadlines are determined by the participating high schools (not posted centrally at VCU); each school announces its own application window
Eligibility: Based on grade and participating school partnerships; check details here
The Health Sciences Academy (HSA) is a one-week internship that introduces you to careers in healthcare and biomedical research. The academy covers a broad spectrum of health science topics, including public health, patient care, medical research, and healthcare ethics. You’ll take part in lab activities, simulations, and workshops led by VCU faculty and students. You’ll also tour labs and health science departments, meet professionals, and explore college pathways in the health field. It’s a structured, hands-on experience designed to help you understand how different roles work together in patient care and research. You will develop critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and technical skills relevant to health professions.
9. Podium RVA Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None | Selectively paid for some internships
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Varies as per internship type
Eligibility: Current high school students in the Richmond region | Ages between 11-19 years
The Podium RVA Youth Internship focuses on enhancing students’ writing, communication, and leadership skills through hands-on, project-based learning. You will engage with topics such as creative writing, journalism, public speaking, and digital storytelling, helping you with both self-expression and professional development. Typical activities include collaborating on group writing projects, publishing student-run magazines or blogs, receiving mentorship from local writers, and organizing literacy events within the community. You will gain valuable skills in written and oral communication, teamwork, event planning, and project management. Completing this internship strengthens college applications by demonstrating initiative, leadership, real-world achievement, and commitment to community service.
10. Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Work-Based Learning/CTE Internships
Location: Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None | Provided, amount unspecified
Dates: Generally run in June-August
Application Deadline: Typically March
Eligibility: Current RPS high school students in good standing, typically rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Work-Based Learning/CTE Internships give high school students a real-world experience by connecting them with businesses, nonprofits, schools, and government offices right in Richmond. You will explore fields like healthcare, IT, business management, media and communications, engineering, and skilled trades, depending on your interests and future goals. During the program, you might assist professionals on job sites, shadow mentors in their chosen field, collaborate on hands-on projects, and get involved in community outreach or presentations. Through these activities, you will sharpen your communication, teamwork, time management, and technical abilities—skills that employers notice.
11. Camp Invention Leadership Intern Program
Location: School, community, and local center sites nationwide, including in Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Dates: Vary by location
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12
The Camp Invention Leadership Intern Program is a hands-on volunteer experience for high school students in STEM activities. You will work side-by-side with camp instructors to help facilitate creative STEM challenges, guide small groups during team-based problem-solving, and assist with demonstrations. Some typical activities include leading invention-building workshops, organizing outdoor team games, and supporting campers in robotics or coding tasks. Before the camp begins, you will complete a structured online course on mentorship and child guidance, then apply these lessons in a real-world camp setting with support from educators. You will also earn up to 40 volunteer hours and receive formal recognition from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
12. City of Richmond - Counselor in Training
Location: Richmond, VA
Cost/Stipend: None | $800 incentive upon completion of all requirements
Dates: Training begins in April and continues for six weeks
Application Deadline: Opens in March, deadline not specified
Eligibility: High school students who are city of Richmond residents | Must be 14 by July 1
The City of Richmond’s Counselor in Training (CIT) program offers high school students aged 14–15 a hands-on introduction to working in youth recreation settings at city summer camps. You will undergo six weeks of Wednesday evening training sessions focused on key topics like leadership, communication, First Aid/CPR, customer service, and professional ethics. After training, you will take up active roles at summer camps, where you will help supervise campers, organize games and art projects, assist with daily camp routines, and support special events. You will build strong skills in responsibility, teamwork, and youth mentoring. The program is ideal for anyone considering a career in education, recreation, or childcare.
13. EnergyMag Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None | None
Dates: Not fixed. Quarter-time internships are available all year round
Application Deadline: Applications are open all year round.
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors only | Have taken at least one honors science or honors English class | Minimum GPA of 3.25
The EnergyMag Research Internship is a virtual opportunity for high school students based in Richmond, VA, interested in researching and analyzing renewable energy and energy storage. You will research technologies, companies, and markets, often culminating in a publishable report credited to your name. It is offered in half-time (20 hrs/week) and quarter-time (8 hrs/week) formats and allows flexibility across both summer and year-round sessions with hands-on experience in research, data analysis, and industry reporting of a scientific or business issue. Mentors will provide guidance throughout the internship, helping you develop real-world skills in research, professional communication, and writing.
14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 Application Fee; Financial aid available | None
Dates: June 16-27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2025 | Aged 14+ who are U.S. citizens
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship on the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) hosts a program that introduces students to AI applications in diagnostics, medical imaging, and disease prediction. You’ll work on real research projects with Stanford faculty and graduate mentors and your tasks may include data analysis, literature reviews, or model testing, depending on your interest and team. Weekly seminars cover topics like medical imaging, ethics, and AI tools. At the end of the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and may qualify for an extended independent research opportunity.
15. High School Cybersecurity Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None | $2,650
Dates: Not specified; includes a two-week professional skills training bootcamp, followed by a five-week industry placement
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 17 years old
This Cybersecurity Internship connects you with university labs and tech companies focused on real-world security problems. The program involves a two-week professional skills training bootcamp, followed by a five-week virtual, hybrid, or in-person industry placement with a cyber-related company. You’ll work in teams, attend technical workshops, and contribute to hands-on projects like network defense, risk analysis, or secure coding. Mentors from industry and academia guide your work, and you’ll present your final project to peers and professionals. Weekly seminars offer exposure to cybersecurity careers, ethics, and emerging threats. Whether you’re coding, researching, or testing systems, you’ll gain a clear view of what working in cybersecurity looks like.
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