12 Internships for High School Students in South Carolina
Doing an internship as a high school student is a great way to gain hands-on experience in your field of interest before you choose a college major. They give you the chance to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application and build professional networks that can prove useful for college applications and your future career. Some internships offer a stipend as well!
In this blog, we’ve compiled 12 internships for high school students in South Carolina. Based on your interests, you can choose from a wide variety of internships that broaden your perspective, sharpen your technical skills, and enhance your college applications! Each program offers valuable projects and learning experiences, allowing you to find the option that suits you best.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2490-$7400 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: There are multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Internship Dates: There are multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work 10 to 15 hours a week.
Ladder Internships connects students with startups in diverse fields, offering a remote learning environment. It emphasizes real-world experience in areas like healthcare, technology, environmental science, and more. There are three programs to choose from: the Startup Internship Program, the Research Internship Program, and the Combination Startup-Research Internship Program.
As an intern participating, you may engage in tasks like developing business strategies, coding new software, or creating marketing plans. Your work will revolve around contributing to a real-world project that’s important to the startup. You will also receive personalized mentorship from a startup manager and Ladder Coach through 1-on-1 virtual sessions.
2. Clemson University Summer Scholars Program
Location: Clemson, South Carolina
Cost: $200-$1300; check their tuition page for more information.
Application Deadline: Applications close in April (tentatively).
Internship Dates: This is a summer program with multiple sessions in June and July.
Eligibility: Open to rising high school students up to the age of 17 with a strong academic record.
Clemson University’s Summer Scholars Program offers middle school and high school students the chance to explore academic interests in a university setting. The program provides a supportive environment where students can learn more about themselves and their interests, develop important skills, and explore new and challenging experiences.
You can attend the program either as a commuter camper or a residential camper and take part in week-long courses across various subjects, such as engineering, biology, and business. During your one week at Clemson University, you’ll engage in hands-on, immersive courses taught by Clemson instructors. You’ll also get to go on laboratory tours and field trips and contribute to exciting experiments and projects.
The program provides a taste of college life while helping students gain valuable insights into potential career paths. Afternoons at Clemson University will include campus tours or interacting with admissions representatives.
3. South Carolina AHEC Summer Health Careers Program
Location: Virtual + in-person on MUSC’s campus in Charleston, SC
Stipend: Participants will receive $200 at the end of the program.
Application Deadline: The 2024 session is closed; the 2025 session should open in January and close in March (tentatively).
Internship Dates: This is a one-week summer program that happens in June (tentatively).
Eligibility: Must be 18 years old before the start of the program, a South Carolina resident or enrolled in an SC school, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have an interest in healthcare.
South Carolina AHEC Summer Health Careers Program (in collaboration with MUSC) is a one-week summer program designed to uplift students, especially those from rural/underserved areas and minorities underrepresented in healthcare. It provides students with the resources they need to prepare for entry into health professions programs and careers.
During the program, you will discover where your interests lie in the healthcare field, develop essential skills that will help you in school and your career, and network with health professionals and other health professions students. The program introduces students to various healthcare professions through shadowing, hands-on activities, and workshops. You can choose from a variety of tracks that include nursing, dental medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more.
4. South Carolina Aquarium High School Intern Program
Location: Charleston, SC
Stipend: $10/hour for 20 hours/week
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025 program will open in late Sep and tentatively close in Dec.
Internship Dates: Training classes could run from Jan to April, and the summer internship program should run from June to Dec.
Eligibility: Must be high school students in the 11th grade.
The South Carolina Aquarium offers a unique internship where students can engage in conservation education, animal care, and public outreach. During the spring training period, 20 students will get to attend and learn about animals, ocean science, career development, and team-building skills. Of those 20, only 10 students will be selected to attend the internship, working through summer and fall.
As an intern, you’ll have the opportunity to assist with marine life exhibits, educational programs, and visitor services, gaining hands-on experience in marine biology and environmental science. You’ll also be able to work alongside aquarium educators and biologists. Once the internship is over, only 5 students will be chosen to be mentors in the following year’s training program.
5. USC Center for a Political Future: High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: May (tentatively)
Internship Dates: June-August (tentatively)
Eligibility: Must be high school freshmen through juniors (graduating seniors don’t qualify) and have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
The USC Center for a Political Future works in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability to offer the High School Summer Internship Program to students interested in learning more about politics, government, and civic engagement.
This is a competitive, virtual program where students will get the chance to watch the “Climate Forward Conference,” which is one of their annual signature events. As a participant, you will be required to complete two major writing projects so that you can form your own opinions on the concepts covered during the conference. By participating in the High School Summer Internship Program, you will learn more about climate change, sustainability, and climate legislation, and the importance of effective communication when solving environmental challenges.
At the end of the internship, your finished writing project(s) will be published on the CPF website and you will be acknowledged as a “Summer Research Intern for the USC Center for the Political Future and the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies.”
6. Charleston County Summer Youth Internship
Location: Charleston, SC
Stipend: $15/hour
Application Deadline: May (tentatively)
Internship Dates: June-July (tentatively)
Eligibility: Must be students aged 16-21, enrolled in high school or college, and residents of Charleston County.
The Charleston County Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP) gives high school students the chance to work in various county departments, gaining real-world experience. The program emphasizes skill development, including communication, teamwork, and professional skills, through a mix of hands-on work and mentorship.
As an intern, you will be assigned to tasks involving administrative support, community engagement, data entry, assisting with public events, or working in areas like public libraries, animal services, or public works. You will also participate in training sessions and workshops to improve job readiness and career planning.
7. MUSC Health Teen Science Ambassador Program
Location: MUSC, Charleston
Stipend: Compensation is offered; however, there is no information on the exact amount.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March. The fall 2024 session is currently closed; check the website for updates.
Internship Dates: August-October (tentatively)
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old, a rising 11th-grade student in Charleston County, interested in STEM research, and from at least one of these underrepresented groups in STEM.
MUSC Health’s Teen Science Ambassador Program is an internship offered to high school students from underrepresented groups in STEM who are passionate about science and pursuing a career in STEM. The program seeks to prepare students for a future in STEM via hands-on research opportunities, mentorship, and resources to prepare them for college and their careers.
As a participant (or ambassador), you will engage in research in an academic medical university setting and will develop critical thinking and communication skills. You will be paired with a senior mentor and will get the chance to network with other STEM professionals, which will contribute to your future career.
8. Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System High School to Health Care Summer Program
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March (tentatively)
Internship Dates: This is a one-week summer program in June.
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in healthcare with a 3.0 GPA.
The Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s High School to Health Care Summer Program aims at bridging the gap between healthcare careers and high school education. It does so by providing students with a comprehensive introduction to healthcare careers and hands-on experiences in a hospital setting.
During the program, you will be able to tour Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System facilities and shadow medical professionals. By the end of the week, you will have gained a new perspective on medical professionals and a better idea of what field you want to pursue in healthcare.
9. Spark Summer Internship Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including remote options
Stipend: $500 for select projects
Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are now closed. Applications for 2025 will open in March/April 2025 and the deadline will subsequently be updated.
Internship Dates: This is a summer program that goes on for 6-12 weeks, from June to August.
Eligibility: Must be high school students in 9th-12th grade, U.S. citizens, and able to work 40 hours/week for 8-12 weeks.
Spark SIP is an elite internship designed for high school students with a passion for computer science, boasting an acceptance rate of under 5%. The program offers immersive research experiences, mentorship from industry professionals, and real-world exposure through full-time summer internships.
The program aims to connect high school students with community leaders, industry experts, and professors in well-established institutions so that they’re more prepared to experience the professional landscape. As an intern, you can choose from 5-6 projects in areas such as machine learning, coding, computer vision, and neural networks, along with resources to enhance college applications.
10. South Carolina Governor’s School for Science + Mathematics (GSSM) Summer Program
Location: Hartsville, SC
Cost: Residential Camp – $200 non-refundable deposit + $830-$1200 for course costs (varies for each course); Day Camp – $250 per class + non-refundable $25 deposit; Virtual Camp – $200 per class. Financial aid is available for all 3 programs.
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 are yet to open; check their website in early 2025 for details.
Internship Dates: The program takes place from June to July (tentatively)
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6-10 with a B+ average or higher.
South Carolina Governor’s School for Science + Mathematics (GSSM) Summer Program allows students to explore advanced topics in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The program offers three types of experiences – residential, day, and virtual camps – that range from 4 to 6 days. They’re led by college, university, and GSSM professors and offer students access to hands-on STEM learning.
As a participant in the residential program, you will get to attend lectures, learn in their labs, and more. In the virtual program, you will interact with your peers and instructors and work offline on self-guided projects while the day program will have you improving your STEM knowledge in various partner locations throughout the state.
11. Boeing South Carolina (BSC) Student Development Program
Location: North Charleston, SC
Stipend: $17.50/hour
Application Deadline: March (tentatively). Applications for the 2025 session are yet to open.
Internship Dates: June-August (tentatively)
Eligibility: Open to high school rising and graduating seniors with a strong interest in engineering and manufacturing from Charleston County, Berkeley County, or Dorchester County District 2.
The Boeing South Carolina (BSC) Student Development Program provides high school students with the opportunity to gain experience in aerospace engineering and manufacturing and more. It is aimed at students with an interest in STEM in the aerospace industry. It is a work-based learning experience and offers high school credit as well as hourly pay. This program is ideal for students interested in engineering and aviation.
12. Prisma Health MedEx Academy Tier I
Location: Greenville, SC
Cost: Free (financial assistance/monetary support is provided)
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 are not open yet; Keep an eye on their website for updates.
Internship Dates: This is a 4-week program that takes place between June and July.
Eligibility: Must be a rising high school senior interested in healthcare with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
The MedEx Academy was developed to let high school and college students explore a healthcare career. The program offers students an immersive experience in the healthcare field and is split into four tiers with Tier I being for high school students.
As a participant, you will get to have hands-on experiences in healthcare, shadow physicians, participate in clinical simulations, and attend educational workshops. You’ll also benefit from patient-centered learning, develop professional skills, and engage in medical research. The goal of the program is to provide invaluable learning experiences that help students gain a comprehensive understanding of medical careers.
Looking for an immersive internship experience in South Carolina?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program that connects students with startups and nonprofits from industries around the world! As part of the internship, you will work on real-world projects that are important to the startup and present your work at the end of the internship. You will also be mentored by their manager from the startup as well as a Ladder Coach. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.